Things to do / Travel Guide
The Catskills and the Hudson Valley region offer some of the best biking in the East, owing to the hilly terrain in some parts and mountains in others. Limitless parks and secondary roads in the region provide the diverse terrain for mountain bikers and road bikers to enjoy the lush backdrop of their ride. Offering some of the best biking in the northeast United States, from the seat of your bicycle you can take in the picturesque views of rolling hills, the countryside, incredible mansions, and the mountains.
Biking in the Hudson Valley
Biking in the Hudson Valley is all about the Hudson River. When you ride, you'll almost always have the river on your side.
- Harriman State Park is located about 30 miles from New York City and is the second-largest New York state park. The terrain includes old mining and logging tracks, and there are road and mountain biking opportunities available. The levels vary between easy and intermediate, and the trails are concentrated in the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area in the northeast part of the park.
- The hill-filled Clarence Fahnestock State Park is a good place to work up a sweat as you can refresh yourself in a selection of ponds, lakes, or a beach. Most of it is located in Putnam County between the Taconic State Parkway and U.S. Highway 9. This is mostly difficult mountain biking.
- The steep uphills and downhills on Bowdoin Park's bike trail will definitely be a challenge. The park is located in Dutchess County alongside the Hudson River, and it's the site for annual mountain biking races. Naturally, this mountain biking is fairly difficult going; if you want lots of breakneck downhill, take the trail towards the river, and if you want thigh-pumping uphill head from the riverbank eastward.
- Beacon Mountain, in Fishkill, is the highest peak in the Hudson Highlands. This former ski mountain will be quite the rollercoaster ride, though you'll have to do the work yourself on the way up while carrying your bike.
The way down is surely the most challenging of the trails listed here, and much of the terrain is rock-strewn. This is extremely difficult mountain biking territory; definitely not recommended for beginners.
If you want to pedal alongside the Hudson, Mills-Norrie State Park has, among others, some excellent trails shouldering the river. In places enough roots jut out so that you have to get off your bike, but on the whole it's a pleasant ride with excellent views of the powerful Hudson.
Bike the quiet country roads of the Hudson Valley, through farmlands and historic towns, especially on the eastern side. Distances are not great, and Rhinebeck is a good starting point.
Biking in the Catskill Mountains
Both experienced and novice cyclists will find routes suitable to their level in the Catskills, which offers challenging trails as well as alluring easier trails and roads. Interestingly, the height of almost all Catskills peaks is about 3,000 feet.
There are a number of bike routes on old country roads near New Paltz and the northern Shawangunks. You can take a loop from New Paltz to Ashokan Reservoir: Go through the Mohonk Preserve and across the Shawangunks on Mountain Rest Road and Mohonk Road; then reach the lake via State Road 213; skirt the lake on State Road 28A; take Acorn Hill Road and Samsonville Road back south through some of Catskill Park; cross Minnewaska State Park on State Road 55; and return to New Paltz on State Road 299. You cross three watersheds throughout the route - the Wallkill, the Rondout, and the Esopus - visit the fearful cliffs of the Shawangunks, and explore the largest of the reservoirs of the Catskills. This is a difficult road route, with steep little uphills, over 50 miles.
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve, located along the Shawangunk Ridge, near New Paltz via State Road 55, contains 40 miles of roomy carriage roads, marked trails, and remarkable views of the Catskill Mountains. Near Minnewaska are the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the Mohonk Preserve, which are much shorter. In the Mohonk Preserve, (for a fee) you can cycle past the famous Mohonk House resort, the only one of the old 19th century resorts still standing and open for business. This is all fairly easy mountain biking territory.
Aside from these two, here are two other New Paltz routes for your riding pleasure:
- Ride alongside Walkill River and Rondout Creek, around Springtown, Rosendale, Kingston, Dashville, and Plutarch.
- Explore the farms south of New Paltz, around Ohioville, New Hurley, Wallkill, Hoagerburgh, and Brunswick.
Farther north, well within the Catskills, the “Catskills Cruise,” otherwise known as State Road 23A, is a particularly all-inclusive bike route that passes through Tannersville, Hunter, Jewett, and Prattsville. You'll pedal past Pratt Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and the Catskill Mountain House site. The level of difficulty depends on if you choose the longer or shorter route, but it is in no case more than 30 miles. Regardless, the views of the mountains and the Hudson Valley will definitely please you.
Another route, similar to the Catskill Cruise, takes you along State Road 28, along all the hamlets of Shandaken. From Boiceville to Big Indian the road rides alongside noisy and trout-filled Esopus Creek.
Another favorite, this one a bit farther away than the rest, is the Catskill Rail Trail, from Bloomville to Grand Gorge. The track is on the old railbed of the Ulster and Delaware railroad, one of the many defunct lines that used to traverse these parts. It's low grade the whole way, and while the ground isn't paved, it's very packed down and flat. Rolling fields and imposing mountains await! Bloomville is located on State Road 10, and Grand Gorge at the crossing of State Road 23 and State Road 30. The general area is northwest of Catskill Park.
A tad south of the Catskills, you'll find 265 acres of single track and paths in Pearson Park, through meadows and mountainous terrain on Walnut Mountain, near Liberty. Bird lovers will have the chance to spot indigo buntings, field sparrows, and towhees. To reach the park from Liberty, take State Road 55 south for about a mile.
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