what's here -- Areas with routes
by county
see also
- Rhinebeck - Bard - Red Hook -- 19 miles, gentle
hills. A visit to
Bard College and the village of Red Hook, with pleasant riding on tree-lined roads and country estates
along the way. 700 vertical feet, hill
index 2.2. Start points Rhinebeck, Red Hook. [
Description | Map
]
- Rhinebeck to Tivoli -- 34 miles, gentle to
moderate hilliness. A visit to the villages of Tivoli and Rhinecliff, Bard
College, with tree-lined roads, the river, and country estates -- and return
through farm country. 1500 vertical feet, hill
index 2.5. Start points
Rhinebeck, Rhinecliff, Tivoli, Red Hook. [ Description
| Map ]
- Harlem Valley Wandering
-- 29 miles, moderate hills (shorter variations). Rolling quiet roads with
beautiful farms in Dutchess county and Connecticut, and a section on
the nicest off-road "rail trail" around. A tour
through a
different world -- but reachable by train from Manhattan. Start points Amenia,
Wassaic train station, Millerton, Sharon CT. 1600 vertical feet, hill index
3.3 [ Description
| Map |
Photos
]
- Copake Falls + Ancramdale to Wassaic one-way --
46 miles, moderate hilliness (with gentler variations of 25, 31, 43 miles). Immersion in beautiful farm country of Columbia and Dutchess counties on quiet roads
with good pavement. Food stops in two interesting hamlets -- Ancramdale and Millerton. Option to sample the prettiest paved
"rail trail" around. 2500 vertical feet,
hill index 3.1 [ Description
| Map
]
- Quaker Ridge -- 45 miles, hilly. Lots of
beautiful scenes on quiet back roads -- in southeast Dutchess County and Connecticut.
3300 vertical feet, hill
index 4.2. Start points Pawling, Dover Plains, Brewster, Kent CT.
[ Description | Map ]
- Harlem Valley Rail to Trail to Falls -- 59 miles,
moderate hilliness (shorter and longer variations). Endless rolling quiet roads with
beautiful farms in Dutchess and Columbia counties. Climb to the
biggest views from a Dutchess county road. Lunch at the two
bakeries of Ancramdale. Ride sections on
the nicest paved "rail trail" around. Start points: Wassaic train station, Amenia, Millerton, Copake Falls, Sharon CT. 3900 vertical feet, hill index
3.8 [ Description
| Map
]
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| Routes
overview | by Difficulty |
Favorites
- Livingston Orchards and Farms -- 13 miles (also
21 or 24 mile variations), gentle-to-moderate hilliness. An immersion
in quiet farm country, with sweeping views of fields and orchards
and the Catskill mountains in the distance. 700 vertical feet, hill
index 2.4. Start point: Livingston. [
Description | Map
]
- Copake Falls to Ancramdale -- 23 miles, gentle-to-moderate hilliness.
Lots of pretty farms on quiet roads with a delightful food stop in a little
village in the middle -- one of our favorite riding areas. Shorter
easier variations and bicycle rentals for family and friends, including a wide
paved trail mostly-off-road. Start points
Copake Falls, Copake, Ancramdale. 1050 vertical feet, hill index
2.6. [ Description
| Map
]
- Copake Falls + Ancramdale to Wassaic one-way --
46 miles, moderate hilliness (with gentler variations of 25, 31, 43 miles). Immersion in beautiful farm country of Columbia and Dutchess counties on quiet roads
with good pavement. Food stops in two interesting hamlets -- Ancramdale and Millerton. Option to sample the prettiest paved
"rail trail" around. 2500 vertical feet,
hill index 3.1 [ Description
| Map
]
- Wandering Northwest Columbia -- 38 miles, moderate
hilliness. Miles of quiet farm country in the west, beautiful hilltop
views and long downhill cruising in the east, and several historic
sites. Start points: Ghent, Chatham, Kinderhook, Schodack,
Philmont.
2300 vertical feet, hill index
3.6 [ Description
| Map
]
- Tour de Columbia - West -- 49 miles, moderate
hilliness. Embraces the variety of western Columbia County.
From corn fields and dirt roads to the streets of Columbia's
biggest city. From horses
and orchards to the Athens lighthouse out in the Hudson River -- and several big views of the Catskills.
Optional side trips to the famous Olana artist's view and mansion,
or cross the Rip Van Winkle bridge and wetlands. Start points:
West Taghkanic, Hudson, Claverack,
Catskill. 2600 vertical feet, hill index
3.1 [ Description
| Map
]
- Harlem Valley Rail to Trail to Falls -- 59 miles,
moderate hilliness (shorter and longer variations). Endless rolling quiet roads with
beautiful farms in Dutchess and Columbia counties. Climb to the
biggest views from a Dutchess county road. Lunch at the two
bakeries of Ancramdale. Ride sections on
the nicest paved "rail trail" around. Start points: Wassaic train station, Amenia, Millerton, Copake Falls, Sharon CT. 3900 vertical feet, hill index
3.8 [ Description
| Map
]
- Roeliff Janssen Kill -- 71 miles or 80 miles, hilly.
Lots of beautiful farm country and woods, sweeping views, and a great descent.
5200 vertical feet, hill
index 4.3. Start points Livingston, Elizaville, Philmont,
Hillsdale, Copake. [ Diagram
| Map ]
- Grand Tour of Columbia County -- 79 miles, hilly.
Sweeping views, old houses, farms and lots of quiet roads, a waterfall or
two -- and a long, beautiful downhill run. (Also a 58-mile
variation). Start points
Lake Taghkanic State Park, Livingston, Hudson, Kinderhook, Hillsdale, Copake Falls.
5000 vertical feet, hill
index 4.3. [ Description
| Map ]
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| Routes
overview | by Difficulty |
Favorites
- Circle around Mt Greylock -- 46 miles,
somewhat hilly. Views of Mt Greylock, the highest
point in Massachusetts, pretty
farms, and two historic towns. Three nice downhills, including the
long, long descent down the Hoosic river valley. 2700 vertical feet, hill
index 3.6. (Or 66 miles and very
hilly, if you add on the climb and descent of Mt Greylock.)
Start points: Hancock MA, Williamstown MA, North Adams MA, Pittsfield,
MA, or Stephentown, NY.
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River loops |
NYC | outside
| Area index
- GWB and River Road to Nyack -- 44 miles,
hilly. The most popular ride from Manhattan.
Start at the George Washington Bridge, go up the West side of the river through New Jersey into New
York. Views of the Hudson River, lots of fellow cyclists, cruising the long rolling
grades of Route 9W. 2300 vertical feet, hill
index 5.0. Start points Manhattan and Fort
Lee NJ, also Piermont and Nyack NY. [ Description
]
- NYC to Bear Mountain Adventure -- 101 miles, hilly. The great
(non-train-supported) bicycling adventure from Manhattan --
lakes with islands, river views, classic descents. But some vehicle
traffic situations requiring advanced traffic-handling skills. One section on dirt.
Start points Manhattan and Fort
Lee NJ; also Allendale NJ, Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks, Stony
Point, Nyack. 6400 vertical feet, hill index 4.2. [
Description | Map ]
- Orange Heritage Rail Trail -- 9 miles or more than 18 miles on
pavement with return. Gentle. Pleasant riding on a paved path,
mostly off-road. A good place to ride for families with children.
400 to
550 vertical
feet, hill index
1.6. Start points Monroe, Chester, or Goshen. [
more Details ]
List of maps for New Paltz - Wallkill
Valley region
Map of Gentler Places for bicycling
around New Paltz
- Farms and Orchards around New Paltz -- 49 miles, gentle-to-moderate
hills (with shorter variations). Beautiful farms and
orchards, a covered bridge, sweeping views of the Wallkill valley and the Shawangunk
ridge. 2100 vertical feet, hill
index 2.6. Start points
New Paltz, Wallkill, Tillson / Rosendale. [
Description | Map ]
- Farms around New Paltz -- South -- 35 miles, gentle-to-moderate
hills. Beautiful farms and orchards, with a
big horse farm. Sweeping views of the Wallkill valley and the Shawangunk
ridge. 1400 vertical feet, hill
index 2.2. Start points
New Paltz, Wallkill. [ Description
| Map
]
- New Paltz to Kingston Waterfront -- 44 miles. Moderate
hilliness.
Also a 31 mile variation. Variety of
interesting settings -- beautiful farm
country, three towns with shops and food, into the woods, and the
Rondout waterfront. 2400 vertical feet, hill
index 3.7. Start points
New Paltz, Kingston, Port Ewen, Rosendale. [
Description | Map ]
- New Paltz to Ashokan Reservoir -- 58 miles, big hills.
Several great descents and climbs with sweeping views over three major watersheds (Wallkill, Rondout,
Esopus), lots of quiet back roads and fun little downhills -- and the biggest cliffs, the largest lake,
and the highest summits in the Hudson
Valley. 5200 vertical feet, hill
index 6.9. Start points
New Paltz, Kerhonkson, Ashokan Reservoir, Stone Ridge. [
Description | Map
| Photos ]
- Lloyd - Highland Rail Trail -- about 5 miles on pavement with
return. Very gentle.
Pleasant off-road riding on a paved path -- additional unpaved section also
open. A good place to ride for families with children. 60 vertical
feet, hill index
0.9. Start point Lloyd (near Highland and Mid-Hudson Bridge). [
Photos ]
- New Paltz North : Trail + Roads -- 15
miles. Half on an unpaved "rail trail" mostly off-road, the
other half on roads.
Mostly flat, except for one hill (not that long or steep -- and avoidable). Start point
New Paltz. [ Description
| Map
]
- New Paltz South : Trail + Roads -- 17 miles. Mostly
flat, except for one hill on the rail trail and one on the roads. Half on an
unpaved "rail
trail" mostly off-road, the other half on quiet roads. Start points
New Paltz or Gardiner. [ Description
| Map
]
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- Ashokan Reservoir Dam -- 2 miles or 5 miles.
Flat, on wide pavement most of which is closed to motor vehicles -- with first
mile out-and-back all car-free. Beautiful views across the largest lake
in the Hudson Valley, and of the highest summits in the Catskill
mountains. Hill index
0.1. Start point Ashokan Reservoir. [ Description
| Map
| Photos ]
- Ashokan Reservoir Views -- 20 miles
(or 29 miles). Gentle-to-moderate hilliness. Beautiful views across the largest lake
in the Hudson Valley, and of the highest summits in the Catskill
mountains. 900 vertical feet, hill
index 2.6. Start point Ashokan Reservoir. [
Description | Map
| Photos ]
- New Paltz to Ashokan Reservoir -- 58 miles, big hills.
Several great descents and climbs with sweeping views over three major watersheds (Wallkill, Rondout,
Esopus), lots of quiet back roads and fun little downhills -- and the biggest cliffs, the largest lake,
and the highest summits in the Hudson
Valley. 5200 vertical feet, hill
index 6.9. Start points
New Paltz, Kerhonkson, Ashokan Reservoir, Stone Ridge. [
Description | Map
| Photos ]
- In the Shadow of the Catskills -- 74 or 79 miles, hilly.
Quiet farms and houses in Greene County, the four pavilions on the Hudson, changing views of the great wall of the Catskills.
4400 vertical feet, hill
index 3.8. Start points Catskill,
Saugerties, Leeds, Alcove Reservoir, Coeymans Landing. [
Description | Map |
Photos
]
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Routes that run along the Hudson River -- and across it on big bridges.
- New York Harbor Circle -- 43 miles or 50 miles, mostly flat or
gentle. A tourism adventure circling around New York harbor --
not a "route" like the others on this website. Excellent views of the Manhattan skyline
from many angles, and lots of pretty views of big expanses of water.
Visits to a variety of New York and New Jersey neighborhoods. Elegant modern spaces,
great bridges, and striking historic architecture. Start
points: Manhattan, Fort Lee NJ, Hoboken NJ, Liberty State Park NJ. [
Description | Map | Photos
]
- George Washington Bridge to Piermont -- 30 miles
round trip,
moderate. Start with the GWB, go up the West side of the river through New Jersey into New
York to a food stop down by the Hudson River. See lots of fellow cyclists,
enjoy cruising the long rolling
grades of Route 9W. 1400 vertical feet, hill
index 3.2. Start points Manhattan, Fort
Lee NJ, Piermont NY. [ Description
]
- GWB and River Road to Nyack -- 44 miles,
hilly. The most popular ride from Manhattan.
Start at the George Washington Bridge, go up the West side of the river through New Jersey into New
York. Views of the Hudson River, lots of fellow cyclists, cruising the long rolling
grades of Route 9W. 2300 vertical feet, hill
index 5.0. Start points Manhattan and Fort
Lee NJ, also Piermont and Nyack NY. [ Description
]
- GWB to Bear Mountain Bridge Loop, on both sides of
the Hudson river -- 92 miles (or 83 miles), hilly. A great
accomplishment, several pretty views of the River, and a great variety of
riding. Lots of motor
vehicle traffic, requiring advanced traffic-handling skills. At least
two sections on dirt. 7200 vertical feet, hill
index over 5.0. [ Description
| Map |
Photos ]
- Bear Mountain Bridge to Newburgh-Beacon Bridge,
loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 42 miles, hilly. Spectacular views of the Hudson River,
from every angle. Rocks, trees, castles, two great bridge crossings, and West Point.
2700 vertical feet, hill
index 4.0. Start points Beacon or Cold Spring Metro North train
stations, Bear
Mountain State Park, Newburgh. [ Description
| Map
]
- Mid-Hudson Bridge to Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 54
miles, hilly. Pretty roads in quiet woods, two big Hudson river
bridges, shops and sights at the Rondout waterfront, some quiet riding along
the shore with a picnic park, optional side trips to Rhinebeck or New
Paltz. 3400 vertical feet (feels like 3900 feet) hill
index 4.0 -- also an easier version.
Start points Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff,
Kingston, Highland. [ Description
| Map
]
- Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge to Rip Van Winkle
Bridge, loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 57 miles, moderate, from Rhinecliff to
Saugerties to Catskill, then Germantown and Tivoli. Shaded roads in the
woods, two fine Hudson river bridge crossings, sweeping views of farms with
the Catskill mountains beyond.
- Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Albany, loop on both
sides of the Hudson river -- 74 miles, moderate hills, from Catskill and
Hudson to the Dunn Memorial Bridge between Albany + Rennselaer. Lots of sweeping views across beautiful farm country, a variety of
angles on the Catskill mountains and the Hudson River, and the new and old
buildings of Albany.
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- Central Park loop -- 6 miles. Gentle
to moderate. (or 12 miles, or 18 miles, if do more laps). Rolling hills with interesting curves and descents -- and
many people of many sorts doing many different things. Start
point: Manhattan.
- George Washington Bridge to Central Park --
19 miles. Gentle
to moderate. Great views crossing the bridge and cruising along the Hudson, the rollers and curves of the Central Park road, the cultural sights
of Morningside Heights. 700 vertical feet, hill
index 2.5. Start points: Fort Lee, NJ, Central
Park, Manhattan.
- Central Park (Manhattan) to Nyack Ride -- 62 miles, moderate
hilliness (also a 44 mile non-NYC version). The most popular ride from
Manhattan -- with a visit to Central Park added.
Great views cruising along the Hudson and across the bridge, the rolling
grades of Central Park, Riverside Drive, and Route 9W -- the "state
line hill" descent -- lots of fellow
cyclists and the scene at the Runcible Spoon. 3000 vertical feet, hill
index 4.2. Start points Manhattan and Fort
Lee NJ, also Piermont and Nyack NY.
- New York Harbor Circle -- 43 miles or 50 miles, mostly flat or
gentle. A tourism adventure circling around New York harbor --
not a "route" like the others on this website. Excellent views of the Manhattan skyline
from many angles, and lots of pretty views of big expanses of water.
Visits to a variety of New York and New Jersey neighborhoods. Elegant modern spaces,
great bridges, and striking historic architecture. Start
points: Manhattan, Fort Lee NJ, Hoboken NJ, Liberty State Park NJ. [
Description | Map | Photos
]
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Routes that lie outside the Hudson River drainage, but they're
so close that Hudson Valley bicyclists like to do them.
- Southern Berkshires Tour -- Connecticut and
Massachusetts -- 68 miles, moderate
hilliness. Canaan CT (or Salisbury) to Stockbridge MA and Tanglewood
(near Lenox). Variety of scenery in the southern Berkshires, farm fields and
animals. Lots of
pleasant riding on quiet roads, and several fun downhills. Variations
up to 85 miles, also a 28-mile short
tour. In Litchfield County, CT and
Berkshire County, MA. 4000 vertical feet, hill
index 3.4. [ Description
| Map ]
- Quaker Ridge -- 45 miles, hilly. Lots of
beautiful scenes on quiet back roads -- in southeast Dutchess County and Connecticut.
3300 vertical feet, hill
index 4.2. Start points Pawling, Dover Plains, Brewster, Kent CT.
[ Description | Map ]
(Actually this ride is partly inside the boundaries, since East Main St in
Pawling crosses the Croton River, which drains to the Hudson River.)
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