Zim Smith Pedestrian Trail is a 20.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ballston Spa, New York that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
A popular biking trail, this paved route passes through wooded areas following an old rail line. There are many places to park at different locations. You can park up in Ballston Spa, Shenentaha Park, Leah’s Cakery, The Mill, Coons Crossing and more. Accessibility: The trail surface is paved asphalt, smooth, and typically at least six feet wide. The grade is flat (all estimated under 1%) so most wheelchair and stroller users will likely find this trail navigable.
February 9, 2021January 18, 2021December 13, 2020November 29, 2020November 9, 2020October 26, 2020October 19, 2020I’m not a fan of paved trails and, frankly, there’s a really bad odor for several miles of the trail. It smelled like a dump.
October 13, 2020This is a horrible trail for walkers. The bikers on this trail are horrible. They are constantly telling you to move out of the way. Bikers !walkers have the right of way.. Bikers are distracted by their device. We need to clamp down on bikers and start fining them.
October 12, 2020October 10, 2020Beautiful trail. Very well maintained.
September 20, 2020Great fall walk
September 19, 2020Flat paved trail ideal for bicycles and strollers. A little boring but pleasant.
September 13, 2020Eastern end is newly paved. Portion East of Ushers road includes fence covered section through golf course adjacent to busy train yard. A few up and downs. From Ushers Road to Ballston Spa very flat. All paved. Well maintained. Goes through mostly wooded areas following old rail line. Passes one park with disc golf course and can be accessed by several trail points. Ends of west end one mile from village of Ballston Spa.
September 12, 2020Very easy to walk or bike
September 9, 2020Awesome biking trail! Loved starting near the golf course in Mechanicville. The view of the train yard was really neat too. Cant wait to do it again!
September 7, 2020August 26, 2020Great! A few rude people walking 2 abreast. Really??
August 21, 2020Beautiful, not crowded, sun and shade, not too much elevation and made for an amazing ride
August 20, 2020August 19, 2020August 9, 2020August 9, 2020Well kept but very busy on a Sunday morning
August 8, 2020Nice, paved path. Fairly heavily trafficked on a Saturday
July 21, 2020All paved. It’s all open. Many places to park at different locations. Park up in Ballston Spa, Shenentaha Park, Leah’s Cakery, The Mill, Coons Crossing and More. The trail is flat. Slight incline over a distance...but you don’t notice it. All in shade. The new portion from Coons Crossing to Mechanicville follows the railroad track. It is hilly and all in sun. You do go through the golf course but there are cages around you so you don’t get hit.
July 17, 2020New smooth surface. Lovely ride. It’s all open now, even though there were signs that it was partly closed. Check out “ The Mill at Round Lake” for lunch!
July 13, 2020July 3, 2020Bike
July 1, 2020AWESOME!!! My new favorite trail for racking up miles. There was some maintenance happening today (7/1) but otherwise Great Path
June 9, 2020I bike this at least once a summer, including 6/9/20. It was quite busy for a Tuesday but I imagine lots of others are in my furloughed shoes. Thankfully no trail closures as other recent reviews mention. Bugs were ferocious closer to the Coons Crossing end. I always park on Underpass Road in Ballston and had never been down the extended portion of the trail there up to Oak Street until this time - it is well worth the 3 extra miles total. Stopped into Leah's Cakery for a carrot cake cupcake along my way :)
June 8, 2020Fantastic ride. Very Sunny. Some hills. Plenty of parking at the Coons Crossing Rd. Trail-head.
