• where:  Loop on both sides of the Hudson river, crossing the Kingston-Rhinecliff and Rip Van Winkle bridges, from Rhinecliff to Catskill.

• 57 miles, moderate.  

• highlights:   Shaded roads in the woods, two fine Hudson river bridge crossings, sweeping views of farms with the Catskill mountains beyond.

• characteristics:  Some rolling hills.

Traffic:  Lots of quiet roads, but also road segments with more traffic, such as Rt 209, Rt 32, Rt 9W, Rt 23, Rt 9G, Rt 199 and the two Hudson River bridge crossings.

• warning:  roads change -- but we have not checked much of the main route since the date below.

And it might have been a longer time since some of the Variations of the route were last checked by us.  Some roads and intersections might be different since then, or closed -- so be prepared to find alternatives -- a good reason to carry a detailed map. Other people may have more recent experiences with parts of the route which could help prepare: see the Reports page linked below.

Route not checked by us since 2009 -- learn more | see Reports

• warning:  Riding a bicycle on roads has dangers and risks that need to be taken seriously.  For more on those, see our page on risks.

Route Direction "Cue" Sheet - - Map of route - - Reports on Trips + Conditions

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more . . . 

• directions to Start

by train:  The route can be reached from Rhinecliff or Hudson.  From Rhinecliff, head North out of town and quickly turn East.  Left on River Rd (Dutchess Couny Route 103) and join the main route when it crosses Rt 199.  From Hudson, take Rt 9G South to Rt 23 West (and for a different route on return, take Mt Merino Rd).

by car:  To get to the East side of the bridge in Rhinecliff:  Take the New York State Thruway to Kingston (exit 19).  Follow Rt 28 West, then Rt 199 North to the Kingston-Rhinecliff bridge.  Or from Rt 9 or the Taconic State Parkway, take Rt 199 Westbound to the bridge.  

Alternate starting points:  Rhinebeck, Tivoli, Germantown, Hudson, Catskill, Saugerties, Kingston. 

• maps:  You should have detailed road maps of Dutchess, Columbia, Greene, and Ulster counties to do this route (see Road Maps).
   

Route Direction Cue Sheet - - Map of route - - Reports on Trips + Conditions

back to Top | River routes | All routes