New York · Hiking

Power Line Trail

Power Line TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.6 mi
one way
83 ft
climb
325 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Power Line Trail is a short, easy hike in New York, about 0.6 miles long and rising about 80 feet from a starting point near 320 feet to a high of about 325 feet. It is a point-to-point route, and the nearest town is Vischer Ferry, about 1.2 miles away. The trail is not wheelchair accessible, and bikes are allowed. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.55 miles, a 5% grade. The route is quick, taking about half an hour to complete. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Albany show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 74°F, while winter brings regular snow days from December through February. Several other trails sit within a short distance. Blue Trail, East Bluffs Trail and the Orange Loop - Southbound are each about 0.2 miles away, and Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge Trail is about half a mile off.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Power Line 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

      33° / 16°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 18°

      11 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      71° / 48°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 53°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 41°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 32°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 23°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Albany Ap, NY, 4.4 mi away at 312 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Blue TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Blue Trail

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Short point-to-point trail offering a quick New York hiking experience.

Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge Trail

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HIKE

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East Bluffs TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

East Bluffs Trail

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0.56-mile loop at East Bluffs Trail in New York with 98 ft gain.

Champlain Valley Trail (Peebles Island State Park to Halfmoon)Photo: PunkToad, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Champlain Valley Trail (Peebles Island State Park to Halfmoon)

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Charlie Huiest TrailPhoto: ke9tv, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Red Loop Trail

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Ballston Bicycle Path

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6.74-mile out-and-back bicycle path in New York with 447 ft elevation gain

Forts Ferry LoopPhoto: ke9tv, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Forts Ferry Loop

~5 min drive

0.86-mile loop in New York with 74 ft elevation gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors