Southern Waterfall Spur Trail is a 2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Troy, New York that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
There are two trails areas in the Rensselaer Tech Park; this set is the southern set and is only labeled "Trail." The main "Red" trail travels to a bridge where the "Waterfall Spur Trail" splits off. It is a nature walk from the park down to the train tracks near the Hudson River. There is plenty of beautiful scenic areas here along with wildlife and a stream containing a set of small cascading waterfalls.
Tech Park Campus Main Office (518) 283-7102
According to the maps this starts off a set of parking lots off Defreest Dr. It looks like it could start there, yet I spent significant time trying to find the starting markers. I did find some about 0.25 miles from the supposed start, but I ended up driving to a point at which the trail crosses the road. I found that point, and parked in a lot nearby and progressed from there.
Take I90 to Route 4 (Exit 9) Take Route 4 toward Troy, and the Rensselaer Tech Park (Jordan Road) is on the left.
March 4, 2021
January 24, 2021lovely walk - made a loop from blue to red along train track (.2 mile - clear access to red). scenic cascades on blue, meandering woods on red. well marked and several new bridges. ground frozen otherwise boot sucking mud whole way. very popular for a sunny but cold (7 degrees) Sunday.
January 18, 2021Hard to find! We parked at the children’s museum. Follow the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road until you see a black fence. The trail is right before that, there is an orange marker on the fence, no sign. Very very muddy and slippery, walking sticks were a must! The waterfall is in the middle of the hike and mostly visible on the way back, the end wasn’t interesting and was basically just somewhere to turn around.
January 17, 2021Who ever reviewed the trail that said it was muddy was grossly inaccurate. U under estimated the amount of mud and the slippery conditions that it causes. Would love to return to the trail in the Spring and summer on less wet conditions prevail. Would highly recommend if on the trail for foliage and nature and wildlife. Make sure to pack extra shoes and extra clothes unless you don't mind getting dirty.
January 10, 2021January 1, 2021December 29, 2020Hella muddy, but I think that gives it it’s own charm. I like to play around and slide down small declines, and I don’t mind getting dirty. I went in winter so the trees are bare, which again I think has it’s own beauty. Cute little wooden bridge crossings all over to traverse some wider gaps. Lots of streams and goes down to the lake. Pretty sure they also do off roading nearby since I walked over by where it’s private by accident and it looked like jeepers had a good time there. I only saw two other people and I walked around there for 3 1/2 hrs cause I go off trail and explore. It’s kind of hard to find at first though, the directions from here take you to the parking lot by a kids tex center and you have to cross the street from there and follow the sidewalk Down to the opening.
December 28, 2020A generally easy hike, but tricky when it’s muddy or icy. The hardest part is finding the start (look for cattails near a culvert across from The children’s museum), and knowing what to do with the end (for a loop, walk along the railroad tracks until you find the other trail).
December 27, 2020December 13, 2020Muddy, but to be expected. Would rate it closer to easy.
December 11, 2020December 3, 2020Pretty, probably the easy end of moderate. Muddy.
November 21, 2020November 9, 2020Nice walk through the woods. We got sidetracked on a different trail but made our way back to the right one (this trail starts across the street from parking). There were not many people on a perfect day, so definitely lightly trafficked. We had to cut it short due to it getting dark but we did make it back to some waterfalls. We’ll have to go back another day... maybe in the Spring when the water levels are higher.
November 8, 2020Took wrong path but looped around at train tracks it added a mile
November 8, 2020November 7, 2020October 17, 2020October 8, 2020Great combining both trails to make a loop!
October 3, 2020Beautiful trail and nice stream. kids love it. Considered as easy.
September 28, 2020Next time take the waterfall trail!
September 28, 2020Narrow in parts, over grown in parts but overall easy trail with some hills. We followed to the waterfalls And it was nice. Easy access to the water in parts. Dogs had blast!
September 26, 2020Way more trails in these woods and I thought! you can really make this pretty long. Lots of mountain bikers but some awesome waterfalls coming back up from the train tracks by the Hudson.
September 13, 2020September 9, 2020ok, but didn't like the overgrown foliage. water was nice.
September 9, 2020A little hard to follow and overgrown at the beginning. Through the woods, then over the roadway, the follow fence to the right and look for the trail sign. We followed red then blue until we reached the railroad tracks.
September 5, 2020September 5, 2020It was ok there were a lot of overgrown plants, the trails were narrow, and the waterfall was very small but good overall!
September 5, 2020Overgrown in some spots, mini waterfalls were cool. end if trail muddy with nothing to see, wish we turned around at the mini falls.
August 31, 2020The whole trail is a full incline! Be careful if you bring dogs there was a lot of shattered glass! Very shaded and quiet!
