Rail Trail and Nature Walks In Delmar NY

The community of Delmar New York is very focused on health/wellness and also on getting out into nature. This is evident in both the Delmar Rail trail and many nature walks/preserves around the area.

The Albany County Helderber-Hudson Rail trail runs through the town of Bethlehem. This trail is open to runners, walkers, and bikers. The trail is 9 miles long and is owned and operated by Albany county. Currently, 5 miles of the trail are paved between South Pearl Street in Albany and the Toll Gate Plaza in Slingerlands. The 4 unpaved miles between Slingerlands and Voorheesville are cleared, but not suitable for road bikes. Benches are located along the full 9 miles of the trail. During 2017 there are plans to add additional signage including trail heads and mile markers. Parking is available in many areas along the trail. This parcel of land was purchased in 2010 and has been maintained and supported by FORT (Friends of the Rail Trail) since that time.

Located at the end of Normanskill Boulevard in Delmar is the Normankskill preserve trail. This trail is approximately 1 mile long and is a complete loop. Parking is available near the trail head on Normanskill Boulevard. Some sections of this trail are steep. Part of this trail runs next to the bank of the Normans Kill and the other side is the Steven’s Farm. There are also several benches along the trail for viewing.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center is located at 56 Game Farm Road in Delmar New York. This is a living museum that consists of 450 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands. A visitors center is located at the entrance and people can find more information and maps of the many trails here. The visitors center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am until 430 pm. The trails are open every day from sun up until sundown. Trails range in length from ¼ mile loops to a 2 mile loop. Groups can make reservations for certain educational programs by emailing gsp5rivers@outlook.com.
Several other preserves are located in and around Delmar.

Other ones to look for are:

  • the Ashford Glen Preserve
  • Bennett Hill Preserve
  • Bozen Kill Preserve
  • Fox Preserve
  • Holt Preserve
  • Keleher Preserve
  • Mosher Marsh
  • Phillipin Preserve
  • Restifo Sanctuary
  • Schiffendecker Farm Preserve
  • Schoharie Creek Preserve
  • Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve
  • Swift Wetland
  • Van Dyke Preserve
  • Winn Preserve
  • Wolf Creek Falls Preserve