The Challenge

Anchor Diamond Park

Middle Line Road

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

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Trail Description: 

Easy walking for all. Main trail is old carriage road for estate.

Historic remnants to see and can connect to information on signs with phone.

Somewhat muddy in places as of April 1st

Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail

Route 29 Entrance

Meadowbrook Road Entrance

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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Trail Description: 

Easy walking for all. Trail is flat old railroad bed through wetlands.

Not muddy as of April 1st

Coldbrook Preserve

Homestead Road

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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Trail Description:

Easy woodland walk on trail between farmland to wetland forest.

Wear appropriate footwear. Somewhat muddy as of April 1st.

Galway Nature Preserve

Crane Road

Galway, NY 12074

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Trail Description:

Easy woodland walk , fairly muddy as of April 1st.

With appropriate footwear is no problem.

Spruce Mountain Trail

Spruce Mountain Road

Corinth, NY 12822

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Trail Description:

1.3 miles... all up hill .Easy grade, but long. Hard for small children. Good way to make them sleep well at night!

Muddy the week of April 1st.

Wear appropriate footwear (no flip flops) sneakers not great.

Spruce Mountain is one of twenty-five mountains in the Adirondack State Park that have fire towers atop them. (tower closed currently...still worth the climb)

Some VERY large trees!

Ballston Creek Preserve

Ballston Lake, NY 12019

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Trail Description:

Easy walking for all. Somewhat muddy in places as of April 5th.

Park at parking area for Shenantaha Creek Park. Trail entrance is across and down the road

Hennig Preserve

Middle Grove, NY 12850

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Trail Description:

Woodland walk through dense woodland trail. Trail markers somewhat confusing.

Wear appropriate footwear. Somewhat muddy as of April 5th.

Orra Phelps Nature Preserve

145 Parkhurst Rd

Gansevoort, NY 12831

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Trail Description:

Beautiful woodland walk created by an historic figure.

There are nature center signs describing many of the plants represented.

Excellent examples of the principles of erosion. While near the river, observe and discuss.

-the creek bed composition(sand, rock, ledge?)

-its banks and the job of the tree roots (banks with trees vs. banks without)

-the evidence of its changing pathway through time. (what washes away, whatstays)

Rowland Hollow Creek Preserve

Grand Avenue

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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Trail Description:

Easywoodland walk around the outside of a development.

Not muddy as of April 1st.

Woodcock Preserve

740 Tanner Rd

Clifton Park, NY 12065

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Trail Description:

Easy woodland walk on trail from field to forest.

Wear appropriate footwear. Somewhat muddy as of April 5th. 

ALWAYS check the trail website BEFORE you leave home to check on trail conditions.

Wear appropriate footwear. Sandals and sneakers are not appropriate footwear for most trails. This time of year there is quite a bit of mud and running water. Children and adults should wear water proof shoes so they can easily explore nature without worry of cold wet feet.

Prepare for the possibility of ticks and insects.

The trails that are highlighted in this series are some of the lesser traveled trails around the county. 

Last updated May 24, 2023