First, let me say "Wow!" This is a great trail. It's incredibly beautiful, well-marked, and a nice comfortable distance to ride in a few hours, (just shy of 12 miles each way). The trail runs from Basin Road in West Hurley, NY to Rt. 28 in Boiceville, NY. Parking is easy with three large gravel lots, one at each end and one in the middle. All three had (relatively) clean pota-potties, picnic tables, benches, and trail maps available.
Coming from the northeast I chose to park at the Wood Dike trailhead and travel west towards Boiceville. If you plan to ride only a small portion of the trail, I highly recommend starting here. The Wood Dike area is definitely the most unique and beautiful aspect of this trail. Though a quick word to the wise - traveling in mid-July the stone wall along it's boarder was COVERED in Poison Ivy! (Which of course, I failed to realize until after I leaned my bike against it for a photo. Ugh!)
There is also a beautiful rail bridge bridge at the western most point of the trail, just before the Boiceville Bridge parking lot. (Appropriately named, of course. :)
The middle section of the trail basically meanders through the woods, passing through the small town of Shokan, which seemed to contain little more than an ice cream shop, (which was unfortunately closed while I was there.)
Overall this is just a beautiful little rail trail. I felt absolutely safe along the entire route, encountering mostly older couples and grandparents riding with children. Having visited on a weekday in mid-July, I experienced very little trail traffic and had no problem finding the trailhead or parking. I also had no trouble with bugs anywhere along the 24 mile journey.
But if you're heading out, remember, other than the (closed during my visit) ice cream shop in Shokan, there is no place directly on the trail to obtain food or water, so be sure to plan ahead.
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