Highlights: River rapids, wildlife, steep cliffs, wilderness close to home
Near: Waterford, NY
Distance: 2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 100 ft
Hike Time: 1 hour
Hike Type: Loop
Peebles Island is a nature lover’s treasure. The Perimeter Trail winds through open meadows, a hardwood forest, along cliff tops, and past river rapids in its two-mile loop. White-tail deer, beaver, skunks, hawks, owls and water fowl can be spotted, especially in the early morning hours.
Numerous trails criss-cross the island and are preferable during the summer months when the park receives a high volume of visitors. Fishing with a permit is allowed, and picnic tables are available along the route.
Though located within eyeshot of nearby towns, the rapids at the southeast shore drown out the sound of traffic, and three nearby uninhabited islands offer wilderness views to the west. Thus protected, Peebles Island offers nature walks that are both diverse and serene.
Trailhead
Follow Route 787 north into Cohoes. Go right onto Ontario Street, then left onto Delaware Avenue just before crossing the Hudson River. Peebles Island parking lot is at the end of Delaware Ave. (Lat:42.78494 Lon:-73.68098).
