Historic Champlain Canalway, Halfmoon Hike

Bike, jog, or walk your way back through history. One day this trail will take you from Lake Champlain at Whitehall to the Erie Canal at Waterford, over 60 miles. Today there are 7 miles open to the public connecting Waterford to Mechanicville. There are a few different entrances to begin your visit to the Historic Champlain Canalway [Route 4 and Brookwood Road, Halfmoon NY]. We chose the first coming up from Albany and hit the road.

This is a National Recreation Trail, a program which celebrates the nations pathways.

The path followed the canalway pas some beautiful wetland, woodsy, and mountainous scenes.

There were fish and tadpoles swimming in the water. Watch for birds in the water and the sky. We saw mallards, red tails, and even a bald eagle soaring in the distance.

Remnants of the 1823 canal stonewalls are seen along the way. Spy a stone arch culvert which allowed the McDonald Creek to flow between the canal and the weir.

The flat gravel path is a perfect surface for you to focus on nature, fitness, or walking and talking with friends without worrying about watching where you are walking!