• instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • about
  • |
  • participate
  • |
  • Contact
  • |
Menu
Search
  • Eat
    • Local Eatery Articles
    • Farms + Markets
    • Restaurants + Cafes
    • Wine + Spirits
  • Play
    • Spring Fun Articles
    • Outdoors
    • Art + Entertainment
  • Stay
    • Eat/Stay/Play Articles
    • Bed and Breakfasts
    • Hotels + Motels
  • Live
    • Home Articles
    • Home + Garden
    • Services
    • Shopping Locally
    • Wellness
  • Business Profiles
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Magazine
Close Menu

Biking The Hudson Valley’s RAIL TRAILS

Outdoors

by Anne Pyburn Craig

March 12, 2023

The Hudson Valley’s network of rail trails is a triumph of adaptive reuse. They provide a cornucopia of opportunities for adventure along wide, safe pathways whose moderate grades and gentle curves lead through forests, meadows, and urban centers. When the rails that once ruled fell into disuse, the glories of our local scenery vanished—only to return when smart organizers realized the value of the paths they left behind, and applied surfaces of stone or asphalt. Bikers, walkers, and joggers will find hours of relaxation here; surfaces range from crushed stone to smooth, ADA-compliant pavement.

The fun part of rail trails (well, one of the fun parts) is that, like the engines they once accommodated, they serve destinations. Every few miles, you’ll find yourself within easy walking or riding distance of a town or village; that’s to say, some good food and a cold mug of craft brew, along with people-watching and shop-ortunities galore. (Hint: If you’re traveling by bike, just about any retailer will likely be happy to hold your purchase for later pickup.)

These days, thanks to the Empire State Trail, you can actually saddle up at the Battery down in Manhattan and bike all the way to the Canadian border or west to Buffalo with minimal interference from motorized vehicles. But there’s plenty to be discovered right here in the Hudson Valley.

O&W RAIL TRAIL

The O&W Rail Trail in Western Ulster is 27 miles long and runs from Kingston to Ellenville. You’ll catch views of the Catskills to the west and the Shawangunks to the east. You’ll find the Esopus Creek Crossing parking area just a couple of miles south of the Thruway along Route 209.

Details:
Hurley Parking: 0.3 miles south of 1791 US Route 209, Kingston Leggett Road Parking: 1.2 miles off of US Route 209, Stone Ridge Ellenville Parking: Hoar St, Ellenville, NY, 0.2 miles past Little League fields theoandwrailtrail.org

there’s something out there for just about any rider’s mood on any given day:

 

WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL

The southern stretch of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail stretches from New Paltz to Gardiner. It offers unique views of the Shawangunk Ridge for miles and lots of goodies at each end of the journey, from the Water Street Market in New Paltz to the farm bar and distillery at Gardiner Liquid Mercantile.

Details:
22+ miles from Gardiner through New Paltz, Rosendale, and Ulster to the Kingston city line wallkillvalleylt.org

 

ROSENDALE TRESTLE

The Rosendale Trestle, on a trail that leads from Gardiner to Kingston as part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, offers a delectable bird’s-eye view of the Rondout Creek and the town’s enticing Main Street. Stop downtown for a beer and a look around, or head west seven-tenths of a mile on Route 213 for a visit to the Century House Historical Society and the Widow Jane Mine.

Details:
Route 213, Rosendale
Park in the dedicated parking area wallkillvalleylt.org

WILLIAM R. STEINHAUS DUTCHESS RAIL TRAIL

The Hopewell Depot Museum, just over 13 miles east of the Walkway along the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, offers a look at how these byways functioned in their glory days. Hopewell Junction, as its name suggests, was once a bustling place to make connections; you’ll find fascinating exhibits at the restored 1870s depot, including a caboose, and there are plenty of food options just a five-minute ride away.

Details:
From the Highland entrance of the Walkway Over the Hudson to the Hopewell Depot Museum at 36 Railroad Avenue, Hopewell Junction dutchessny.gov/Departments/Parks/Dutchess-Rail-Trail.htm

WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON

The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, built on a former trestle connecting Highland and Poughkeepsie. The Walkway is part of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from all over the world, so don’t expect to be able to zoom across at top speed on a sunny afternoon (that would be a waste of that glorious view, anyhow). You’ll find welcome centers, restrooms, interpretive signage, and bike rentals, not to mention food options at both ends.

Details:
Highland Entrance: 87 Haviland Road Poughkeepsie Entrance: 61 Parker Avenue Upper Landing Park Elevator Entrance: 83 North Water St, Poughkeepsie walkway.org

ASHOKAN RAIL TRAIL

The Ashokan Rail Trail is open to the public from sunrise to sunset year-round. The 11.5-mile recreational trail runs along Ashokan Reservoir between West Hurley and Boiceville. The ART trail surface is 12 feet in width and surfaced with highly compacted fine crushed stone. Both the trail and trailhead parking areas (including the portable restrooms) are ADA compliant and accessible for persons with disabilities.

Details:
Woodstock Dike Trailhead is located at 1285 NY-28 in West Hurley. Ashokan Station Trailhead is located at 3045 NY-28 in Shokan. Boiceville Bridge Trailhead is located at 5080 Route 28A in Boiceville. ashokanrailtrail.com

 

OVERLOOK BICYCLES BIKE RENTALS

Rent right on the Ashokan Rail Trail. Book your bike rentals with their super-easy online rental system.

Located across the street from the Shokan parking area for the Ashokan Rail Trail
1 Mountain Road, Shokan
845-657-4001 overlookbicycles.com

RAIL EXPLORERS

Experience the magic of the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad as you travel alongside the Esopus Creek through the beautiful woods of the Catskill Mountains on a railbike. Seats are limited, so book early.

70 Lower High Street, Phoenicia
877-833-8588 railexplorers.net

 

RAIL TRAIL CAFE

Located on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail at Stone Mountain Farm. A great destination for healthy food while on your ride. Have a quick recharge, snack, breakfast, lunch, or an evening meal. like wood-fired pizza, salads, baked goods, or fresh smoothies. Or catch live music playing in the woods.

Located across the street from the Shokan parking area for the Ashokan Rail Trail
1 Mountain Road, Shokan
845-657-4001 railtrailcaferosendale.com

RELATED ARTICLES

Night Skies & Spring Constellations

LOW-IMPACT CAMPING

Hudson Valley’s Rail Trails

A GUIDE TO HUDSON VALLEY butterflies

Jellystone Park Camp-Resort

Ice Climbing

SCENIC LEAF-PEEPING RIDES

Bike Your Way through the Valley…

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Manage this home

RECEIVE EPOSTS

WHATS HAPPENING

ADD YOUR BUSINESS

SEE WEDDING SITE

  • Ole Savannah Southern Table and...

    Kingston, (845) 331-4283
    www.olesavannah.com/

  • The Art Effect

    Poughkeepsie
    feelthearteffect.org/

  • Emerson Resort & Spa, Mt. Tremp...

    Mt. Tremper, 845-688-2828
    www.emersonresort.com

  • Saunderskill Farm


    www.saunderskill.com/

  • Blue Mountain Guest House

    Saugerties, 3233138426
    www.vrbo.com/560528

  • Halter Associates Realty

    Kingston & Woodstock
    www.halterassociatesrealty.c...

  • Habitat Real Estate Group

    Stone Ridge , 8456877954
    www.habitatrealestategroup.c...

  • Rhinebeck Artists Shop

    Rhinebeck, New Paltz, Kingston
    www.rhinebeckartistsshop.com...

  • Jugo Mobile Beverage Company

    New Paltz, 347-228-7283
    www.jugomobilebeveragecompan...

  • Wayward Ranch Animal Sanctuary

    Kerhonkson, (845)-626-7645
    www.waywardranch.org/

  • Shawangunk Wine Trail

    Marlboro, 845-256-8456
    www.shawangunkwinetrail.com

  • Colony Woodstock

    Woodstock, 845-679-7625
    www.colonywoodstock.com

  • Great Western Catskills

    Great Western Catskills
    www.greatwesterncatskills.co...

FAQ

ADD EVENT

ADD BUSINESS

  • instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
CONTACT

CALL: 845-687-3470
EMAIL: VISITVORTEX@GMAIL.COM

VISITVORTEX
PO BOX 82
HIGH FALLS, NY 12440
SIGN UP

SIGN UP FOR EPOSTS OF EVENTS,
THINGS TO DO AND SEE NEW
HUDSON VALLEY VIDEOS!

SEE OUR WEDDING SITE


© VISITVORTEX.COM 2023.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS