Rensselaer Lake Loop via Rapp Barren's Red Trail is a 2.4 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Albany, New York that features a lake. The trail is good for all skill levels and is primarily used for hiking, trail running, and nature trips. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
April 12, 2021it's ok needs to be cleaned up,ya know trash humans leave trashy areas. Maybe this app could organize clean ups of the trails. Well marked good parking..watch for ticks doggy picked up a beauty.
April 4, 2021This is a great trail for “mud season” here in Upstate NY. We did the white trail and some of the red trail. Most of it was paved and not muddy. The downside? It is an urban walk with lots of highway noise and graffiti.
March 29, 2021March 9, 2021mostly good surface, numerous places where we had to go around ice and mud
February 14, 2021January 16, 2021January 7, 2021November 22, 2020nicely maintained trail. usually packed in summer with kayaker, dogs, and trail bikes. noisy from traffic and beware of ticks. nice walk in the city if need a little nature break.
November 15, 2020Great walk and yes , a good mix of nature and pavement — but even the walk next to the highway has expansive sky views. Our whole family enjoyed this.
November 11, 2020November 1, 2020Great hike clear trails a lot of fun
October 17, 2020September 20, 2020This path is amazing. The loop is easy to navigate. Part paved part dirt. The late summer wildflowers were in full bloom. Gorgeous yellow and white flowers, especially near Rapp Road. When you are on the dirt path you are in the pine bush habitat, which is unique and the pine trees are tall and stunning. The trail is nestled in between three major highways, and you do walk under one. You hear the traffic the entire time while you see herons fly overhead or watch blue jays squabbling in the trees. If you don't mind the juxaposition of nature and civilization you will enjoy this path.
September 19, 2020Rather loud the entire trip. Nice water views
September 16, 2020September 14, 2020Good except for traffic noise from nearby highway..
July 7, 2020Terrible. My dog was terrified of the sound of trucks going over the overpass, there is no shade or nature for that matter. I was hareassed by drunk men fishing. We didn't even finish the trail, we turned around and are going somewhere else.
June 18, 2020Beautiful trail that is half paved and half dirt path. I was still able to push my stroller through however. Some parts were overgrown and buggy but it wasn’t too bad. I did go off course twice- once because I wasn’t paying close attention and continued to follow the paved path and the second time the trail wasn’t marked well. Luckily I was able to look at the app and could easily find my way back.
May 4, 2020The first part is paved, but then the path becomes dirt and grass, and is a bit hard to navigate with strollers/kids. It was an easy enough trail, but wish we had known the entire Red Trail is not paved.
April 29, 2020Easy enough trail, paved and green almost the whole way. Next to the highway but it’s kind of nice to be so close but safely far away. Not heavily trafficked.
April 2, 2020Flat without a bunch to see. The highway is loud but if you like to run with headphones in this is a great place.
March 28, 2020We enjoyed it, good distance, good verity. Good spot to bring a fishing pole!
August 30, 2019The trail passes under five heavily trafficked bridges. Very loud. Some parts are quieter (you can still hear the constant traffic but it’s not on top of you) and away from the highway, but overall it was just not relaxing for us. Not a good trail to take a fearful dog either, I almost had to carry mine. There was an algae warning posted at the beginning of the trails and the water looked suspicious. Views ok, nothing special. Very easy hike, if you can call it that (much of the “trail” is paved).
August 16, 2019so much noise from traffic
April 7, 2019In My Back Yard...Priceless
February 9, 2019
First to ReviewAlternate entrance to the Rensselaer Lake Loop from Rapp Rd. About half of this loop is a paved walking trail that runs alongside the NY Thruway so it can be a bit noisy. The rest goes through the Pine Bush which has been “restored” meaning that most of the black oak trees have been removed. Lovely still in winter, marshy in wet seasons and sandy in summer. Tick filled most of the year.
April 8, 2021
