updated trail map - Albany Pine Bush Preserve

TRAILHEAD INFORMATION
Blueberry Hill East
This portion of the Preserve was almost developed and
shows signs of the disturbance that occurred here.
Trails wind through sites that have been intensely
managed and restored to pine barrens.
Blueberry Hill West
An appealing area for a short walk or a longer hike, the
diversity of topography and vegetation offer scenery
guaranteed to keep the attention of any visitor. A dune
top view provides beautiful views to the south and
west. Inland barrens buckmoth may be seen flying here
in late September.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Deer Ticks - Although most common from April through
October, Deer Ticks can be found in the Pine Bush anytime of
the year. Please take proper precautions to prevent tick bites
and check yourself thoroughly for ticks after visiting the Preserve.
Weather - Although the trails are never especially far from the
trailheads, visitors should be prepared for abrupt weather
changes and extremes in temperature. Summer can be
especially hot in the open barrens with temperatures exceeding
100°F and winters can be quite cold.
Emergencies - In an emergency locate the closest public phone
or use a cell phone to dial 911. To report non-emergency
situations please contact the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Commission at (518) 456-0655 Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. To report a violation contact the NYSDEC ranger at
(518) 783-2036.
Temporary area closure - Various areas of the Preserve will be
temporarily closed throughout the year while activities such as
prescribed burning, mowing or other management activities are
occurring. For your safety, please obey all signage at trailheads
or along trails.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Rules and Regulations
In order to protect the natural beauty and ecology of the
Preserve and assure that all visitors have a safe and enjoyable
visit, please observe the following rules.
1. All public use of unmarked paths, closed trails and
firebreaks is prohibited without a valid permit.
2. Bicycle and horse use is permitted on officially
established and marked trails only.
3. Pets must be restrained at all times by an adequate
collar and leash and must be kept under complete
control. Pet owners must remove their pets’ feces from
the trails.
4. Preserve visitors may not collect, deface, injure or
remove any plant, animal, sand or other living or nonliving feature from the Preserve except as otherwise
authorized by the Commission/Department.
5. Research projects proposed for the Preserve by any
individual or group must be submitted in writing and
approved by the Commission.
6. Motor vehicles of any kind including ATV’s,
snowmobiles and motorcycles are prohibited on
Preserve lands and waters, except vehicles used by
those with mobility impairments as allowed by permit.
7. Groups of 25 or more visitors must notify the Albany
Pine Bush Preserve Commission at least 5 days before
visiting the Preserve, and obtain a permit.
8. Hunting, trapping and fishing are allowed during
times designated as New York State’s open hunting,
trapping and fishing seasons and in accordance with
the provisions of 6 NYCRRparts 1-188, and not
withstanding any other provision of the Preserve
regulations.
Complete Preserve rules and regulations are available
at www.AlbanyPineBush.org
What to bring during your visit
Drinking water, Trail map, Rain gear, Sunglasses and
sunscreen, Day pack, Comfortable hiking boots,
Snack foods, and Camera
OUR TRAIL SYSTEM IS CHANGING
UPDATED
TRAIL MAP
Blueberry Hill
East & West
& Kaikout Kill
Trailheads 4, 5 & 6
Blueberry Hill West:
Directions From the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center:
Go left at the traffic light at the end of the driveway onto Rt 155/New Karner
Road. Proceed for 0.5 miles until you get to another traffic light, turn left onto
Washington Ave. Extension. Proceed for 0.3 miles until you get to the first road on
your right, turn right onto this un-signed road (South Frontage Road). Follow South
frontage road around the immediate bend and then for 0.15 miles until you come to
an all way stop sign at the intersection with Pitch Pine Road. Turn right onto Pitch
Pine Road. Proceed for 0.45 miles, until the road dead ends at the Blueberry Hill
West Trailhead kiosk. Park along the edge of the pavement circle, being careful NOT
to block the fire hydrant and attempting not to block the split rail fencing at the
trailhead. There is room for 2-3 cars at the trailhead and several more along the
roadsides in this residential neighborhood.
Blueberry Hill East:
Directions from the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center:
Go left at the traffic light at the end of the driveway onto Rt 155/New Karner
Road. Proceed for 0.5 miles until you get to another traffic light, turn left onto
Washington Ave. Extension. Proceed for 0.7 miles until you get to a traffic light. At
this traffic light, turn right onto Columbia Circle. Proceed for 0.2 miles, until you get
to a stop sign, continue straight through the stop sign and proceed straight another
400 feet until you see the Blueberry Hill East Trailhead kiosk. Park in the parking lot
near the kiosk, there are many parking spaces available in this office complex area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY
Please call 518-456-0655 & press 1
www.AlbanyPineBush.org
Located within the Capital District
Region, the Albany Pine Bush
Preserve’s gently rolling sand plain
is home to a variety of rare plants
and animals, including the
Federally-endangered Karner blue
butterfly. The 3,200-acre Preserve,
also creates a special habitat for a
number of other rare and unique
plants and animals, while
providing visitors with 18 miles of
trails for an assortment of nonmotorized recreational
opportunities including hiking,
jogging, nature study, crosscountry skiing, horseback riding,
mountain biking, hunting, fishing
and canoeing.
Blue =
1.23 miles
Red= 1.37 miles
Yellow =
1.85 miles
OTHER
TRAILHEADS
The Albany Pine Bush Discovery
Center is a state-of-the-art LEED
“Gold” certified green building that introduces visitors to everything that makes the
Preserve rare and adventurous. As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center
transforms this globally-unique destination into an exciting adventure where learning
comes naturally through interactive exhibits and the fully-accessible, interpretive Discovery
Trail. With the help of many volunteers, the Discovery Center offers monthly outings and
programs about the ecology, natural history and cultural history of the Pine Bush.
Admission to the Discovery Center and the Discovery Shop is free –there is a small fee for
programs. The Center is now open daily weekdays 9AM-4PM, weekends 10AM-4PM
(closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day). The Discovery Center
is also ideal for training sessions, meetings, small conferences, special events, business
retreats and private parties. For more information, go to www.AlbanyPineBush.org , call
518-456-0655 or visit the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.