Saratoga

  • Going for lunch in the Village of Schuylerville

The Town of Saratoga was significantly influenced by the Hudson River, which connects historic events that shaped our nation and the identity of the town. The new Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center at Fort Hardy Park will soon open to visitors. In addition to providing visitors with ammenities and information about the area the center will feature interpretive exibits for those who want to learn about the local commuinities and the people who have been unified by the interconnected waterways that run through.

Saratoga is well known as a hub of heritage tourism. As the trail passes through the Villages of Schylerville and Victory several historic sites, landscapes and monuments are acessible on foot or bicycle from the Champlain Canalway Trail, the Empire State Trail, New York State Bike Route 9, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canalway Water Trail!

Scroll to See

Places
Amenities
Local Businesses
Connector Trails

Champlain Canalway Trail (CCT)

Nearly 8-miles of trail cover nine individual trail segments through the Town of Saratoga. The centerpiece is a 1.5-mile span from the Schuyler House to the Dix Bridge that passes through Fort Hardy Park. At the north end of the trail is Hudson Crossing Park which is shared with the Town of Northumberland.

Hudson Crossing Park is a family destination featuring a sensory nature trail, a childrens’ playground, scenic overloods, and hiking paths for safe off-road walks, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. A regional snowmobile trail runs through the park where there is a repair tool station for sleds. A towpath trail running between the Old HIstoric Champlain Canal and the operating Champlain Canal connects the Village of Schuylerville and Hudson Crossing Park. The Old Champlain Canal is part of a future vision to open the waterway again as a public place for fun, recreation, and the exploration of the natural environment.

Empire State Trail (EST)

State Bike Route 9 along Route 4 is the formal route for the EST up to the Schuyler House and on through the Village of Schuylerville. New trail has been constructed through Fort Hardy Park along the Old Champlain Canal. A formal trailhead with bike racks, wayfinding and bike tools is located behind the Gateway Visitor Center. The EST continues north along Towpath Road through Hudson Crossing Park on Lock 5 Island and over the Dix bridge into the Town of Greenwich in Washington County.

Hudson River/Champlain Canal Access Points

  • Town of Saratoga Route 4 Boat Launch
  • Fort Hardy Park Kayak Launch
  • Schuylerville Boat Ramp
  • Hudson Crossing Park Kayak Launch
  • Lock 5 Canal Park with public docks and the dock site of the Caldwell Belle Tour Boat.

Sites To Visit EVENTS

Local Business (listings greater than a mile from the trail in bold)

Food

Lodging

Retail/Culture/Activity/Amenity

Public Transportation

  • Saratoga Springs NY (SAR) (Amtrak Station – Adirondack & Ethan Allen Express) Travelling with bikes on Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express costs $20.00 and requires a reservation. No checked service is available. Amtrak’s Adirondack Line currently allows bikes on a case by case basis at the conductor’s discretion and travellers may need a bike box. Check prior to travel. Bike Info: https://www.amtrak.com/bike-faqs No Service North of Albany During COVID
  • Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Fixed route buses are equipped with 2 station bike racks. Use of the bike racks is on a first-come, first serve basis. Trolley (seasonal) is not equipped with bike racks.
  • Trailways Connection Between Saratoga Springs – Glens Falls – Lake George [Greyhound service appears suspended during COVID]

Connector Trails:

To Saratoga Springs …10 miles on road