New York · Hiking

Ashokan Rail Trail

Ashokan Rail TrailPhoto: Russ Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
6.7 mi
round trip
2,120 ft
climb
676 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Clear today

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 4 h ago

Ashokan Rail Trail is an easy, out-and-back hike in New York, starting just 0.3 miles from the town of Shokan. The route runs about 13.4 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 94 feet, and it is rated easy. The trail's low point sits at 575 feet, and its high point reaches 676 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.3 miles, where the grade reaches about 9 percent. Late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mohonk Lake show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 73°F, with snow days common from December through March. Nearby options include the Ticetonyk trail (Blue) about 2 miles away, the Ashokan Quarry Trail at about 2.8 miles, the old Ashokan trail at about 4.4 miles and the Snake Rocks Trail at about 4.5 miles.

Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Ashokan Rail Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 19°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 20°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    3. Mar

      46° / 27°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    4. Apr

      60° / 39°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      71° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 64°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 63°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 56°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 45°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 35°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 25°

      11 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mohonk Lake, NY, 14.3 mi away at 1,245 ft. The station sits about 600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Ashokan Quarry TrailPhoto: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ashokan Quarry Trail

~5 min drive

Short point-to-point trail exploring historic quarry sites near Ashokan Reservoir.

Ashokan High Point Trail (Red)Photo: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ashokan High Point Trail (Red)

~11 min drive

8.08-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 2,950 ft elevation gain.

Ashokan High Point Trail (Red)Photo: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ashokan High Point Trail (Red)

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Ashokan Rail TrailPhoto: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ashokan Rail Trail

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Onteora Lake LoopPhoto: Russ Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Moon Haw to Friday-Balsam Cap Col Herd PathPhoto: New York Public Library, No restrictions (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Red Eft LoopPhoto: Saucy Salad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Red Eft Loop

~12 min drive

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Wittenberg - Cornell - Slide TrailPhoto: ke9tv, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Pickerel Pond LoopPhoto: Saucy Salad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pickerel Pond Loop

~12 min drive

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors