Lisha Kill Loop

The Lisha Kill Natural Area Trail System begins from a small parking area on Rosendale Road just east of Niskayuna, New York. From the trailhead, hikers can follow the red-blazed Grattan Family Trail through a mixed hardwood and conifer forest, transitioning from younger birch and aspen stands into mature hemlocks and white pine. After a short distance, Frank’s Trail branches to the right, marked in yellow. This narrow connector weaves through lowland terrain with occasional muddy sections before rejoining the main loop. Continuing on the Grattan Family Trail, the path skirts several deeply carved ravines and shaded hillsides. Two benches along the route offer rest stops before a short spur leads to Paul’s Trail, a blue-blazed loop that drops gently toward Lisha Kill Creek. While the creek makes a scenic destination, the slopes above it can be slick, especially in wet or icy conditions. All trails reconnect to the Grattan Family Trail to return to the trailhead. This preserve offers a compact network of wooded trails ideal for short day hikes in eastern New York, with year-round access and a mix of forest habitats to explore.