Mohonk Preserve

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

15.5 mi · ▲ 881 ft · 5 hr 36 min

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 15.5-mile out-and-back in Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz, NY. It climbs 881 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 39/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi171 – 801 ft · steepest grade: 19%15.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 41.74598, -74.08979
Nearest town New Paltz, NY

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

15.5 mi · ▲ 881 ft · 5 hr 36 min

Elevation 172–800 ft

Out & Back · Mohonk Preserve

Trailhead: Wallkill Valley Rail Trail · 41.74598, -74.08979

Weather Sep 9: sunrise 6:31 AM · sunset 7:18 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 622 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, heading NE.
  2. 4.9 miTurn left, heading W.
  3. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  4. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NW.
  5. 0.1 miSharp right, heading SW.
  6. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Clearwater Road, heading W.
  7. 0.3 miTurn left onto Table Rocks Trail, heading NW.
  8. 0.7 miSharp right onto Spring Farm Road, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  10. 50 ftSharp left onto Table Rocks Trail, heading SW.
  11. 0.7 miTurn right onto Clearwater Road, heading N.
  12. 1.2 miSharp left, heading SE.
  13. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  14. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  15. 0.5 miTurn right onto Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, heading E.
  16. 4.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

55% gravel25% dirt7% paved1% boardwalk12% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:31 AMSunset 7:18 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.9 mi in (~185 min). Leave by 3:53 PM for the 7:18 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 622 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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