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Albany Pine Bush


Highlights:

unique habitat, easy walking, close to home
Near:Albany, NY
Scenery:
Distance:4.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:100 ft
Hike Time:2 hours
Difficulty:Easy
Trail Condition:Well maintained trail
HikeType:Loop



Summary: The Albany Pine Bush is a unique inland pine barrens environment. This sandy area is home to the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The trails are mostly flat with only a few small hills - making it ideal for easy hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

You can obtain a map of all areas of the preserve on the web:
http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/eastern/preserves/

The trails are marked with round colored disks. Most are loops (red, yellow, blue) and a few are connectors (white).

This hike is a big loop following the perimeter trails in a clockwise direction...
red -> white -> red -> yellow -> blue -> red -> white -> red

Please stay on trails. This is a environmentally sensitive area.

Trailhead: From Albany, take Western Ave (NY Rte 20) west. Turn right onto New Karner Road (NY Rte 155) going North. Turn left onto Washington Ave Ext at the blue water tank. Follow this road to the end. (Lat:42.71661 Lon:-73.8787)
Trail Guides for Albany Pine Bush:
Exploring the Nature Conservancys Preserves in New York State
by Scott Edward Anderson  (Countryman Pr)

Best Seasons: Year-Round
User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses,
Ranger Contact: NYS DEC Ranger 518-783-2036
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by George Senft, who has posted  26 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 2   Submit your own review
Reviewed by mark on 11/3/2009
it was okay

Reviewed by Rob on 10/19/2009
The roar of the highway can be disconcerting, but the Pine Bush is a nice piece of nature close to home for those in Albany metro. Didn't have any problems wtih ticks, but I was biking in the Pine Bush on a blustery fall day. The trails are very well marked. Would recommend the Madison Ave. Ext. or Willow St. sections, as they are more pastoral than the New Karner Rd. area. Overall, the preserve is a real treasure for the city of Albany.

Reviewed by Jamie on 5/21/2009
Ticks ticks ticks

Reviewed by JRP on 2/18/2009
Boring. Poorly marked. Felt like it was just surrounded by interstate highways. Not even very good for simple exercise or fresh air.

Reviewed by JD on 4/15/2008
Hiked there last year in the fall, nothing spectacular, but a descent place for an easy hike close to home. There was one part where it got kind of swampy (not on the trail, but visible from it) and that was pretty cool, green moss growing all over and stuff. Met some bikers and other hikers (and one wierdo, so don't go alone), but not crowded. Enjoy!

Reviewed by ALD on 5/14/2007
My 7 yr old and I went there 2 weeks ago through the Kings Road entrance. It was an okay walk, but the ticks were unbelievable! Even with repellent and proper clothing, we found 17 deer ticks between the 2 of use.

Reviewed by the captain on 10/22/2006
boring. awful. noisy. despite the wind rattling the leaves, all that we could hear was the nearby traffic. even peeble island which is right near 787 is quieter than this place. if you can block out traffic sounds go for it, but i don't think i'll go back there.

Reviewed by KG on 9/18/2006
I adored this Albany Habitat. What a great place to bike, job or just saunter. My dog was thrilled too. Pluses: Maps provided at the trailhead, well-kept trails, few other hikers even on weekends.


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Albany County Hiking, Albany County Trails, Albany County Hikes

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