The City of Mechanicville was profoundly shaped by the development of the Battles of Saratoga in 1777, Old Champlain Canal in 1823, and the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad in 1835. By 1900, the City had become a transitional area for the regional interchange of commerce. Today the Old Champlain Canal is buried under the City’s street infrastructure.
Champlain Canal Trail
The Mechanicville trail section generally follows the path of the Old Canal. To the south the trail intersects with the Zim Smith Trail. To the north the trail continues near Mulberry Street and Best Avenue. Once the trail crosses over to Main Street, its path follows the existing sidewalk network through the downtown to where the street connects with Rt 4/32 again at the Saratoga Avenue/North Central Avenue/North Main Street intersection. Mechanicville is a designated Lakes to Locks Passage Waypoint Community where visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this entirely walkable downtown commercial district.
Empire State Trail
The Empire State Trail follows the same footprint as State Bike Route 9 along Route 4 up to the intersection of Route 4/32 and South Main Street then will reconnect 4/32 north of the city center. The route is marked and signed.
Hudson River/Champlain Canal Access Points
- Mechanicville City Dock – free public docking, kayak launch, access to water, power, pump out facility, restrooms, and gathering space with seating and picnic tables
Sites To Visit
- Champlain (Barge) Canal and Lock 3
- XO Tower on the CSX rail line, home for the Mechanicville-Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce
- City Dock
- Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth Monument & Grave at Hudson View Cemetery
- Paul Luther Park & Memorial Playground
- The Knickerbocker Historical Society and Mansion – 5 miles on road (Schaghtocoke)
- Round Lake Preserve and Round Lake – 6 miles on road (Saratoga)
Local Business (listings greater than a mile from the trail in bold)
Food
- The Ugly Rooster Cafe
- Subway
- McDonald’s
- The End Zone Sports Pub & Restarant
- Stewarts Shops # 401 & #258
- Golden Crust Bagels & Coffee Shop
- Mechanicville House of Pizza
- Sub King Pizza & Pasta
- Dunkin Donuts
- Cumberland Farms
- Bubbles
- Our Place Bar & Grill
Lodging
- Adventure Bound Camping Resorts 2.5 miles over the Hudson River via Dear Run Drive
- Check Air B&B & VRBO for listings
- Hotels in Saratoga, Ballston Spa, Cohoes, Troy and Albany +5 miles from Village of Mechanicville on/off trail urban
Retail/Culture/Activity/Amenity
- Mechanicville Art
- Park Avenue Confectionary
- Double D’s Cycle Shop (motorcycles)
- Mechanicville Golf Club
- Forgotton Freshness Classic Gaming
- Mechanicville Public Library
- Mechanicville Golf Club
- Val’s Sporting Goods, Screen Printing
- Walgreens
- Family Dollar
- TD Bank
- Sunoco Gas Station
- Park Ave Jewelry
- Arts Center on the Hudson
- CVS
- Spacial Dynamics Institute
- Hometown Lanes
- Crow Hill Country Crafts and Primitives (2 miles from Zim Smith Trail Head)
Connector Trails:
- Zim Smith Trail A 13-mile paved and stone dust trail runs along the former rail bed of the D&H Railroad corridor from Ballston Spa to the Champlain Canal Trail in Mechanicville. There is a trail head at Coons Crossing Road in Halfmoon
- State Bike Route 9 On-road signed route along Route 4 nationally-designated as an All American Road.
Ballston Spa … 13 miles via Zim Smith Trail