I feel like rail trails are popping up everywhere, even in our own backyard! Maybe I wasn’t looking for them before, or maybe it is a new trend to convert abandoned railroad tracks into recreational spaces, either way I’m all aboard. These are fantastic resources for exercise and leisure; I am so pleased to have discovered one so close to home. The Albany County Rail Trail aka Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail is located just off of Delaware Ave in Delmar [Driving from Albany to Delmar on Delaware Ave after the Hannaford Plaza bear right onto Hudson Ave and park in the small gravel lot on your left]. Right now there are two chunks of rail trail open in Delmar and Voorheesville. They are disjoint and work is in progress to connect them, and reach all the way to the Port of Albany. I explored the section in Delmar which is two miles one way, making a perfect four mile round trip. Our journey began in a suburban area separated from the street and houses by a thin line of tree, or at times nothing at all giving insight into the neighborhood.
The path is paved with dirt or gravel and very user friendly. As the walk progresses heading towards Slingerlands there are more trees and less houses.
Soon no houses at all. There are lots of birds to listen to, and you may spot a small cemetery.
Their website has a fantastic interactive map to show you about the present and future of the rail trail, and exactly how to get to the parking facilities: http://albanycony.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=19e3994c642a4af1b9bdd97ac7242323
This is an excellent spot to get some exercise and clear your mind!