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Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 294 Google reviews · Running trail in Albany, New York · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Paved bike and walking trail with a waterfall and rock walls, plus friendly people.
What runners say about Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail
“The path runs along a moving waterway with beautiful scenery.”
Beautiful bike ride! Trail is a nice flat paved path and has many little site seeing pull offs, benches, and trails. If you get past the 2.0mi mark there is a breakfast place off on the right. Definitely going to try it next time. If you don't have a bike, there is rentable bikes you can rent for $5 for an hr.
Amazing! One of my favorite places around Albany to run. Safe, paver, scenic, people are friendly parking is easy. Can not beat it
Awesome place to take a walk or to ride a bike. It was - 8 degrees but it was worth taking a stroll.
Easy paved bike trail. Great for a nice walk too. It’s 7 miles to the end so 14 total going back. Lots of trees so it’s shaded a lot of the way which is nice. The waterfall is within the first 10 minutes of walking.
Trail conditions & character
“Wonder the paved path through industrial sites as motized bikes worl past with the sounds of heavy traffic overhead and the beauty of waterfalls below.”
“Wonder the paved path through industrial sites as motized bikes worl past with the sounds of heavy traffic overhead and the beauty of waterfalls below.”
“I would say it is easier to park closer to Voorheesville as there were more parking lots for the trail at that end.”
“Trail is a nice flat paved path and has many little site seeing pull offs, benches, and trails.”
“There were a lot of people, dogs, who greeted us with cheer.”
“Nice paved trail for biking, walking, running or pushing a stroller.”
Plan your run at Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitealbanycounty.com
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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