Albany Hudson Electric Trail: The Complete Guide
In December 2020, New York State announced that the Albany Hudson Electric Trail was officially complete and ready for public use.
The 36-mile non-motorized trail is a part of the much larger 750-mile Empire State Trail, which runs from New York City through Hudson to Canada.
In this complete guide, we’ll take you through how to access the Albany Hudson Electric Trail (referred to as AHET), things to see along the way, and nearby attractions that are worth taking a slight detour. So keep reading to learn why this trail should be at the top of your list for trails in the state of New York.
About the Albany Hudson Electric Trail
The AHET is a combination of off-road and on-road trails accessible by cyclists, walkers, and runners of all abilities. The off-road section is 85% of the trail and is built on a former electric trolley corridor running from the City of Rensselaer to the City of Hudson.
The other 15% is short on-road sections that follow the shoulders of public roadways and are perfect for those comfortable traveling adjacent to vehicle traffic. The trail is open year-round and connects eight towns and three villages.
And visit our shop to get ready for your trip on the trail:
How to access the Albany Hudson Electric Trail
Going North or South, the Albany Hudson Electric Trail is accessible at three different points. Each of these routes is roughly 11 miles and makes up part of the bigger Empire State Trail. Here’s how to access each of the three sections.
Hudson to Kinderhook
The off-road AHET trail starts in Greenport at Route 9 and Delaware Ave. Then, it heads northeast and ends at Rothermel Park in the Village of Kinderhook. While this section is primarily off-road, there is a 1.5-mile on-road section on County Road 25 in the hamlet of Stockport that’s intended for experienced cyclists.
Kinderhook to Nassau
This section of the Albany Hudson Electric Trail is 11 miles long and takes roughly 4 to 6 hours walking and one and half hours by bicycle. The trailhead for this section starts at Rothermel Park in the Village of Kinderhook. This section heads north past woods, streams, lakes, wetlands, farms, and small hamlets and ends at a trailhead parking area in the Village of Nassau.
Nassau to East Greenbush
The segment of AHET starts at a trailhead parking area in the Village of Nassau, in Rensselaer County, and heads northwest past woods, streams, lakes, wetlands, and residential areas. It takes roughly 3 to 5 hours to walk and 1 hour by bicycle. The entire segment is dog-friendly and ends at Southern Avenue in the Town of East Greenbush.
Attractions Near the Albany Hudson Electric Trail
As you bike, walk or run along the Albany Hudson electric trail, make sure to take time to stop at the many villages and attractions along the way for local treats, ice cream, coffee, and more. We’ve picked our top two attractions worth checking out on your adventure.
Art Omi
Art Omi is a 120-acre sculpture and architecture park located in a residential neighborhood in Columbia Country, NY. With rotating events and exhibitions, it’s definitely worth adding this gem to the list of stops along your route. If you’re visiting on the weekend, you need to register. Dogs are allowed as long as they’re on a leash, and you can bring in your own food and drink.
Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail
The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage trail lies between the Hudson Valley and Berkshire Mountains. The trail extends Southeast of Albany down to Hudson, New York. Adding this to your adventures is a great way to experience hand-crafted and award-winning wines, beers and spirits, and gourmet food products from the local areas.
Wrap Up
The Albany Hudson Electric Trail offers a well-kept trail perfect for bicyclists, walkers, and runners. As part of the Empire State Trail, you can keep going down to New York after spending a few nights in Hudson or further North to Canada after a few nights in Albany.
Visit our guide on a perfect day on the Albany Hudson Electric Trail for more specific recommendations of places to eat and stop by: