Zim Smith Trail
The Zim Smith Trail is owned by Saratoga County.
The Zim Smith Trail is the only trail in New York State to be designated a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior and National Park Service. National recreation trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation.
A backbone of the county trail system, the Zim Smith trail is a paved, 11.5-mile multi-use trail connects Ballston Spa to Mechanicville through the towns of Ballston, Malta and Clifton Park, the village of Round Lake and Mechanicville.
One place to start to explore this trail is at Malta’s Shenantaha Creek Park, about 2.75 miles south of the current northern terminus. The park contains picnic tables, playground equipment, and tennis courts as well as public restrooms and a drinking fountain. As you enter the trail, head south towards the village of Round Lake.
The trail is wooded with a few and rolls gently downhill, with views into a ravine to your left. There is also a spur trail which roughly follows the old Malta Trolley line, once owned by Saratoga PLAN, and now a connection to the GlobalFoundries campus and recreational trails in Luther Forest. This section of the trail is an excellent spot for bird watching.
The main trail intersects numerous roads along the way – some have parking areas. There is also a playground and parking access at Simpson Avenue in the Village of Round Lake. From Round Lake Village the trail crosses over Route 9 and through a portion of the town of Clifton Park.
The trail is well maintained and is excellent for strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles.
Additional Information: https://saratogaplan.org/explore-parks-and-trails/zim-smith-trail/
City: Mechanicville
Town: Ballston, Malta, Clifton Park, Halfmoon
Village: Ballston Spa, Round Lake
Miles: 11.49
Trail Use: Multi-use Trail
Hiking, Biking, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Equine, Non-motorized with the exception of electric, pedal-assisted bicycle and Snowmobiles
Dogs: On leash
Parking and Trail Head:
Oak St, Ballston
42.997564 N, -73.839533 W
97 English Rd, Clifton Park
42.927358 N, -73.791171 W
231 Cary Rd, Halfmoon
42.918841 N, -73.745562 W
Coons Crossing Rd at RR tracks, Halfmoon
42.919306 N, -73.746602 W
376 Eastline Rd, Shenentaha Park, Malta
42.964289 N, -73.82452 W
203 Rhule Rd South, Malta
42.957277 N, -73.815541 W
999 Elizabeth St, Mechanicville
42.907284 N, -73.698755 W
3 Curry Rd, Round Lake
42.937427 N, -73.797031 W
Trail Head:
Zim Smith is accessible at all cross streets
