Conserving Land • Protecting Resources
Since 1987
 

As of January 1, 2024, the Rensselaer Land Trust has merged with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. For all questions regarding donations, events, land, or other matters, please visit www.rensselaerplateau.org or call 518-712-9211. For questions about the merger, use extension 101 to speak with Jim Bonesteel. You can expect a new name and logo for our merged organization by Spring / Summer 2024 and a new website by the end of the year!

AHET December 2020 Opening Update 1On December 30, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), a 36-mile bicycling and hiking route from the City of Rensselaer in Rensselaer County to the Town of Greenport in Columbia County, is complete and open to the public. The Hudson River Valley Greenway constructed the project, which is part of the statewide Empire State Trail. Most of the AHET Trail is an off-road “rail trail” built on an historic electric trolley corridor, now owned by National Grid which donated authorization to NYS to construct the trail. The remainder of the AHET route is designated along public roadways.


NYS has created a comprehensive Empire State Trail website which provides detailed AHET trail segment descriptions: https://empiretrail.ny.gov/. The website includes an online map allowing visitors to zoom in to see the precise trail route, including asphalt and stonedust trail sections, on-road connections, designated parking areas, and nearby attractions.


The AHET trail is 10 to 12-feet wide with gentle grades, welcoming visitors of all ages and abilities. Most of the trail has a paved asphalt surface; some sections in Columbia County have a stonedust surface, which is compacted fine-grinded stone. The trail is open year-round, dawn to dusk, for non-motorized recreation (ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited).


The trail will not be plowed – during winter months the trail is open for hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as weather conditions allow. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash at all times, and owners must clean up after their pets. Trail users are reminded to stay on the trail and not enter adjacent private property.


The Hudson River Valley Greenway expresses appreciation to the following local government and non-profit partners who have agreed to mow the trail’s grass shoulders, trim vegetation, and help maintain sections of the AHET trail:
• The Town of East Greenbush
• The Town of Nassau
• The Village of Nassau
• The Village of Kinderhook
• The Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail
• The Rensselaer Land Trust

 

Albany-Hudson Electric Trail – Trailhead Parking Area Locations & Status
The Greenway has created 9 formal Trailhead Parking Areas along the 36-mile AHET trail route. The AHET Trailheads are detailed below, listed “north to south” along the trail.

An on-line trail map, including designated parking, is available at: https://empiretrail.ny.gov/.

Rensselaer County
1. Rensselaer Riverfront Park Trailhead (20 parking spots)
    Address: Broadway, Rensselaer, NY 12144


2. East Greenbush Clinton Street Trailhead (11 parking spots)
    Address: Intersection of Clinton St. and Columbia Turnpike (Route 20), East Greenbush, NY 12061


3. Schodack/Nassau Lake Trailhead (13 parking spots)
    Address: County Route 7, Nassau, NY 12123


4. Village of Nassau Trailhead (30+ parking spots)
    Address: Village Commons Park, John Street, Nassau, NY 12123

Columbia County
5. Niverville Trailhead (11 parking spots)
    Address: Intersection of State Route 203 and Main St (County Route 28) Niverville, NY 12130

6. Valatie Route 9/9H Park & Ride Lot (50 parking spots)
    Address: Intersection of State Routes 9 & 9H, Valatie, NY 12184

7. Village of Kinderhook Trailhead – Rothermel Park (33 parking spots)
    Address: Village Playground, Rothermel Ave, Kinderhook, NY 12106

8. Stuyvesant Falls Trailhead (4 parking spots plus 20 spots on east side of bridge)
    Address: County Route 25A (Hudson Ave), Stuyvesant Falls, NY 12174


9. Stottville Park Trailhead (15 parking spots)
    Address: Little League Field, Atlantic Ave, Stottville, NY 12172