Construction is complete on the North Shore Rail Trail, a new hiking and biking trail that extends 10 miles along North Shore Suffolk County, and it is now open to the public.
Formerly known as the Rails to Trails Recreational Path, the multi-use trail lies between two trailheads in Mt. Sinai and Wading River. There are new kiosks at both trailheads and quarter-mile markers throughout the entire path. The path was built along the old Wading River railway line, which was abandoned in 1939 and is now owned by the Long Island Power Authority, county officials said.
The trailheads are located at Crystal Brook Hollow Road in Mt. Sinai and Wading River Manor Road in Wading River, and the trail runs parallel to NYS Rt. 25A. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone will join county leaders and community members for a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at 11:30 a.m.
The North Shore Rail Trail adds to Suffolk’s county wide Hike and Bike Master Plan, which aims to create a connected network of nature trails and to fill in gaps within the county where such trails do not exist. According to Suffolk County officials, the plan recommends more than 1,200 miles of biking areas, “placing 84% of Suffolk residents within ½ -mile of a hike or bike facility.”
Path renovations have been in the works for the past several years. Legislator Sarah Anker convened a committee of civic leaders in 2016 to pitch ideas and offer input for the new trail. More information about the trail can be found on the Suffolk County website.
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