Catskill Scenic Trail

Catskill Scenic Trail. This 26-mile recreational rail trail traverses the picturesque western foothills of the Catskill Mountains in Delaware County, New York. Following the former right-of-way of the New York, Ontario and Western Railway, it connects the villages of Bloomville and Grand Gorge. The trail is managed through a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and local municipalities, offering a car-free corridor for non-motorized activities through a landscape of farms, forests, and streams.

History

The corridor was originally developed in the late 19th century by the New York, Ontario and Western Railway to serve the agricultural and dairy communities of the region, connecting them to markets in New York City and New England. Following the railroad's abandonment in 1957, the corridor lay dormant for decades. In the 1990s, local advocacy efforts, supported by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy movement, successfully secured the right-of-way for trail conversion. Key support came from the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives Program, facilitating its development as a public recreational asset.

Route description

The trail begins near the hamlet of Bloomville, closely paralleling New York State Route 10 and the West Branch Delaware River for stretches. It passes through the communities of South Kortright and Hobart, known as the "Book Village of the Catskills." The largely flat, crushed-stone surface follows the gentle grades engineered for the New York, Ontario and Western Railway, making it accessible for a wide range of users. The eastern terminus is located just outside Grand Gorge, near the intersection of New York State Route 23 and U.S. Route 30.

Ecology and environment

The trail corridor bisects a mixed landscape of active farmland, northern hardwood forests, and riparian zones along several tributaries of the Delaware River watershed. This creates a linear habitat supporting species like white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and red fox. The adjacent waters, including the West Branch Delaware River and Platte Kill, are part of the New York City water supply system, specifically the Catskill/Delaware Watershed. Trail management emphasizes protecting this critical water quality, with guidelines enforced by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

Recreation and access

Primary activities include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail features numerous access points with parking in Bloomville, South Kortright, and Hobart. It connects users to local amenities like the Hobart Book Village and provides scenic vistas of the surrounding Catskill Mountains. While not part of a longer trail system, its proximity to state forests like Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Catskill Park offers additional recreational opportunities.

Management and conservation

Stewardship is a cooperative effort led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 4 office, with involvement from the towns of Kortright, Stamford, and Roxbury. The Catskill Mountain Club assists with volunteer maintenance and promotion. Conservation efforts focus on preventing erosion, managing invasive species, and maintaining the trail's permeability as a wildlife corridor. Ongoing coordination with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection ensures the protection of watershed integrity adjacent to the trail right-of-way.

Category:Rail trails in New York (state) Category:Hiking trails in New York (state) Category:Delaware County, New York Category:Catskill Mountains