Saratoga Trail Tales: The Evolution of an Old Trail

Saratoga Trail Tales: The Evolution of an Old Trail

By Mike Bielkiewicz

Who walked here before us—and what stories did this path leave behind?

Saratoga Trail Tales takes readers on a journey through the Lake Champlain and Hudson River Valleys. Along the way, long-forgotten stories and a vibrant blend of facts and folk tales connect the trail to landmark sites you can still visit today.

The Indigenous Saratoga Trail—stretching between Canada and the Mohawk River—began as a waterway used for thousands of years. As generations shaped the land, the trail became a corridor of movement and change, carrying stories of conflict, resilience, and community. Territorial disputes among First Nations and later between global empires transformed what was once a peaceful route into the backdrop for historic turning points.

When peace returned, the region’s natural resources helped make the corridor a hub of 19th-century growth. The trail shifted to the Champlain Canal, supporting the Underground Railroad and energizing commercial life in communities that had long been remote crossroads. Tributaries that first powered sawmills and grist mills later fueled textile and paper factories—until changing transportation trends and rising industrial costs in the 20th century caused many manufacturers to leave, quieting towns and villages along the way.

Today, the story continues: creative newcomers, passionate locals, and dedicated volunteers are breathing new life into forgotten spaces—transforming them into new destinations to learn, explore, and play. Rediscovered natural beauty and cultural heritage are improving quality of life across the region, and this book helps illuminate how we got here.

All proceeds benefit Hudson Crossing Park, supporting our programs and mission-driven work.

Grab your copy at:

Amazon
Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor Center
Barnes & Noble (online) — coming soon

Get Your Copy Here

Hudson Crossing Park’s mission is to tie environmental responsibility to economic revitalization, and to engage people of all ages and abilities in making informed choices for a sustainable future.

Hudson Crossing Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is non-sectarian and does not discriminate against persons of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, or those with differing abilities, respecting the dignity and worth of all individuals.

It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, speaking and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people, who are the indigenous peoples of this land.
Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, today their community resides in Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.
We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all.

During your visit to Hudson Crossing Park, you may be unobtrusively photographed, videotaped, or filmed by Hudson Crossing Park staff, volunteers, or authorized parties for park promotion.
Your attendance/admission serves as permission for use of these images by Hudson Crossing Park.

For driving directions to Hudson Crossing Park, visit our FAQ page.