CATS, The Eddy secure permanent access to 19 trails

Pictured are hikers participating in the 2026 Grand Hike. — ESSEX | Most of the 73 hiking trails created by Champlain Area Trails (CATS) are located on private property, where public access depends on agreements with landowners. While these agreements have let hikers enjoy the Champlain Valley’s forests, fields, and spectacular views, landowners can generally revoke permission at any time.

Now, CATS is pleased to announce a partnership with The Eddy (also known as The Eddy Foundation) that secures permanent public access to 19 trails totaling 20 miles through trail easements on Eddy Foundation land. These easements are part of a broader effort that has secured permanent public access to 28 miles of trails over the last 12 months, including eight miles at Twin Valleys in Essex and Lewis.

Many of the trails covered by the Eddy Foundation easements lie within the Split Rock Wildway, a critical wildlife corridor that runs through Essex, Westport, and Lewis in New York's Champlain Valley. The corridor connects New York State’s Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest with the forests of the Adirondack Jay Range, helping sustain habitat connectivity while giving people opportunities to experience the region’s natural beauty.

“This is a major step forward in our work to create trails that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality in the Champlain Valley,” said Arin Burdo, CATS executive director. “We’re grateful to the landowners who make our trails possible, and we’re especially excited to partner with The Eddy to secure permanent access to 20 miles of trails. Combined with the eight miles at Twin Valleys, we’ve secured permanent public access to 28 miles of trails with support from a New York State Smart Growth grant.”

EXPANDING ACCESS

When CATS began creating trails in 2007, the Champlain Valley had few places to hike through its beautiful landscape. Today, CATS maintains a network of 73 trails that connect communities and give residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation.

“The Champlain Valley became part of the Adirondack Park in 1972, but unlike much of the Park, most of the land here is privately owned,” Burdo said. “That meant people had few places to access nature and often passed through our communities on their way deeper into the Park. Thanks to landowners' generosity and partnerships like this one with The Eddy, we now have 73 trails here. By making trails permanent, we’re building a lasting outdoor recreation resource that benefits residents, attracts visitors, and strengthens our local communities.”

By securing trail easements, CATS and The Eddy are helping ensure public access to these trails endures for generations. Permanent access also provides a stronger foundation for investments in trail infrastructure, outdoor recreation, tourism, and community connections throughout the region.

Jamie Phillips, president of The Eddy, whose mission includes wildlife conservation and the arts, highlighted the importance of collaboration among conservation organizations, landowners, and communities.

“Community has always been central to our work, and it’s great to see how CATS collaborates with landowners and communities to advance shared conservation goals and increase connections people have with nature on their well-placed trails,” said Phillips. “We’re proud to have protected nearly 3,000 acres for wildlife conservation and provided public access on lands that were previously posted ‘No Trespassing.’ Plus, we’re seeing the tremendous benefits the trails provide, and other landowners recognize that allowing trails on their properties gives people of all ages opportunities to enjoy healthy outdoor recreation with family and friends. We hope making these trails permanent will inspire more landowners to have trails and consider making them permanent.”

A LASTING INVESTMENT

The permanent trail network is an important asset for the towns and villages of the Champlain Valley. Trails attract visitors, encourage repeat visits, and give residents and families more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors close to home.

Ken Hughes, supervisor of the Town of Essex, where many of the trails are located, emphasized the importance of the CATS network to the region.

“CATS trails are a tremendous resource for Essex and the Champlain Valley. CATS hosts the annual Grand Hike each spring, which attracts hundreds of hikers and encourages continued trail use throughout the year. CATS trails are also recognized as an important community asset in Essex’s recently completed Comprehensive Plan, as well as in plans currently being developed in neighboring communities.”

Making trails permanent also supports the long-term investments required to build and maintain safe, enjoyable hiking experiences.

Tony Thoman, the CATS trails and land manager, highlighted the value of knowing that investments in trail infrastructure will benefit the public for years to come.

“Building a trail takes a lot of time, effort, and investment, from creating the route to constructing the features that make hiking safe and enjoyable,” said Thoman. “Our recent work on Black Kettle Trail in Essex, where we partnered with the ADK46ers to build a beautiful 100-foot boardwalk and viewing platform, is a great example. Knowing that trail access is permanent makes that investment even more rewarding. It means the trail and its features will be there for generations to enjoy, including students at local schools who can use it to explore and learn about nature.”

CATS extends special thanks to New York State for its support through a Smart Growth grant, which helped fund the initiative to secure permanent public access to CATS trails. Together, the trail easements with The Eddy Foundation, the Twin Valleys acquisition, and state support represent a significant step toward ensuring that the Champlain Valley’s trail network remains a lasting resource for conservation, recreation, and community vitality.

CATS, The Eddy secure permanent access to 19 trails

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