Swatling Falls Nature Trails

Swatling Falls Nature Trails is part of a 28-acre public open space area within the Swatling Falls residential development located in the Town of Halfmoon. This 1.33-mile nature trail system features a spectacular view of the falls and then continues along a portion of McDonald Creek plus a meadow trail linking them together; another trail segment is located further east of the public open space area.

The trail is currently comprised of a total of four segments with the first three segments located within the public open space area: (1) Falls View Woodland Trail, (2) Meadow Trail, (3) Path along McDonald Creek, and (4) East Woodland Trail. Another segment will branch off of the Path along McDonald Creek and cross the creek on a bridge that is already constructed, but is not yet open for use.

Both the Path along McDonald Creek and East Woodland Trail have asphalt surfaces and are wheelchair accessible. However, please be advised that East Woodland Trail contains several long and steep slopes and may not be safe for non-motorized wheelchair use.

Parking is available in a lot located off Swatling Drive.

View the trail maps:

  1. Swatling Falls Nature Trails (all within public open space area)
  2. East Woodland Trail (located east of public open space area)

Some views along each trail segment –

Trail marker

(1) Falls View Woodland Trail:

Looking N’ly at Falls View Woodland Trail from its entrance off Meadow Trail
Looking NW’ly along Falls View Woodland Trail
Panoramic view looking NNE’ly along Falls View Woodland Trail (right) to WNW’ly at woodland (center) to SSW’ly along Falls View Woodland Trail where it turns N’ly along cliff overlooking lower Swatling Falls (left)
Looking NW’ly along Falls View Woodland Trail atop cliff alongside lower Swatling Falls
Looking W’ly downslope at last curve in McDonald Creek as it enters Swatling Falls (creek flows from right to left) from atop ridge at the wooden barrier along Falls View Woodland Trail
Looking NE’ly along ascending Falls View Woodland Trail
Looking N’ly at sign along northern property boundary as Falls View Woodland Trail ascends to the right
Looking N’ly upslope toward terminus of Falls View Woodland Trail
Looking N’ly at terminus of Falls View Woodland Trail along northern property boundary

(2) Meadow Trail:

Looking NW’ly along Meadow Trail from parking lot entrance
Panoramic view looking S’ly along Meadow Trail (right) to ENE’ly at continuation of Meadow Trail (center) to N’ly at bridge and entrance to Falls View Woodland Trail (left)
Looking SSE’ly upslope at bench on ridge along Meadow Trail
Panoramic view from bench on Meadow Trail looking NNE’ly (right) to overlooking meadow (center) to end of ridge (left)
Looking NNE’ly along Meadow Trail toward its terminus
Panoramic view from terminus of Meadow Trail looking N’ly (right) to SSW’ly downslope along Meadow Trail (center) to SE’ly (left)

(3) Path along McDonald Creek:

Looking SW’ly along Path along McDonald Creek from parking lot entrance
Looking S’ly along Path along McDonald Creek
Looking WNW’ly at bridge over McDonald Creek from Path along McDonald Creek – future additional trail segment will begin here
Looking ESE’ly at intersection with pedestrian access from Swatling Drive along Path along McDonald Creek
Panoramic view looking SE’ly (right) to NE’ly (left) at terminus of Path along McDonald Creek at Swatling Drive

(4) East Woodland Trail:

Looking S’ly along East Woodland Trail from its entrance off Swatling Drive
Looking SE’ly along East Woodland Trail
Panoramic view looking N’ly along East Woodland Trail (right) to looking E’ly over adjoining woodland (center) to looking S’ly along East Woodland Trail (left)
Looking SE’ly upslope along East Woodland Trail
Looking NE’ly upslope along East Woodland Trail
Looking SSE’ly upslope along East Woodland Trail
Looking ENE’ly upslope along East Woodland Trail toward pedestrian access from Somerset Drive
Looking E’ly along East Woodland Trail at its intersection with pedestrian access off Somerset Drive
Looking S’ly down steep slope along East Woodland Trail
Looking W’ly along East Woodland Trail at its intersection of the loop at it terminus
Looking SSE’ly along East Woodland Trail as it abuts McDonald Creek (right)
Looking NE’ly along East Woodland Trail at the end of the loop segment at its terminus

View my wildflower field guide for these nature trails.  If you wish to download a copy to your smartphone or tablet for trailside use, simply scan this quick read bar code: