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Flat routes

  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 ] 
     

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Gentle routes

  • Mid-Hudson Bridge / Walkway over the Hudson loop -- 4 miles, gentle. Big views of the Hudson River and its shores and the bridges from the Walkway over the Hudson and the north sidewalk of the Mid-Hudson Bridge.  More than a mile on roads with significant motor vehicle traffic. Start points Poughkeepsie, Highland. [ Description | Map | GPS ]
     
  • Tivoli - Germantown loop -- 15 miles, gentle.  Lots and lots of quiet roads, with some pretty farms and trees and fields -- (a combination of gentler, quieter, and closer than most similar routes).  400 vertical feet, hill index 1.5.  Start points Tivoli, Germantown. [ 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. [ Details | Map | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • Orange Heritage Rail Trail -- 9 or more miles one-way (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 of hills in round trip, hill index 1.6.  Start points Monroe, Chester, or Goshen. [ more Details ] 
     

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Gentle-to-Moderate routes

  • 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.
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 | GPS ] 
     
  • 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 ] 
     
  • 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 | Maps + GPS | Photos ] 
     

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Moderate routes

  • 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 | Maps + GPS ] 
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 | GPS | Cue sheet ]
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • Woodstock and around the Ashokan Reservoir -- 30 miles.  Moderate hills.  The arts and shops and food of Woodstock, plus beautiful views of the largest lake in the Hudson Valley and the highest summits in the Catskill mountains.  1900 vertical feet, hill index 3.5.  Start points Woodstock, Ashokan Reservoir, Zena, Boiceville. [ Description | Map | Photos ]
     
  • 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 | GPS | Cue sheet ]
      
  • 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 | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     
  • Circle around Mt Greylock -- 46 miles, somewhat hilly.  Views of Mt Greylock, 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.  Start points Stephantown, NY, Hancock, MA, Pittsfield, Williamstown, MA.
     
  • Walkway over the Hudson / Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 48 miles, moderate hilliness.  Pretty roads in the 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.  2800 vertical feet, hill index 3.4 -- or less.  Also a harder and more interesting 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.  
     

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Hilly routes

  • 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 | GPS ] 
     
  • Walkway over the Hudson / Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge loop on both sides of the Hudson river -- 53 miles (or shorter), 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 a shorter easier version.  Start points Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Kingston, Highland. [ Description | Map | GPS ]
     
  • Farms of East Dutchess -- 54 miles, hilly.  Many farms, some with animals, much on pleasant roads with less traffic, some rewarding downhills -- reachable by train from Manhattan.  Start points Dover Plains train station, Millbrook, Amenia.  4100 vertical feet, hill index 4.7  [ Description | Map + GPS | Cue sheet ]
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 | Maps + GPS ] 
     

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Very Hilly routes

  • Great Shawangunk Hill Loop -- 32 miles, with some big steep hills.  Great descents, beautiful views.  3200 vertical feet, hill index 8.4.  Start points New Paltz, Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park, Kerhonkson, Accord. [ 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 | GPS | Map | Photos ]
     
  • Up, Down, and Around Mt Greylock -- 66 miles, including a long climb to the highest summit in Massachusetts.  Also circle the valleys around it, with pretty farms, two historic towns, and three more downhills.  5200 vertical feet, hill index 6.4.  Start points Hancock MA, Stephentown NY, Pittsfield MA, North Adams MA, Williamstown MA.
     
  • Great Shawangunk Double -- 53 miles and 5700 vertical feet, some big steep hills (hill index around 9.3).  Great descents, beautiful views -- and what a workout.  Start points New Paltz, Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park, Kerhonkson, Accord. [ Description | Map ]
     

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Long Moderately hilly routes

  • 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. [ Central Park-GWB description + Map + GPS | GWB-Nyack description + Maps + GPS ] 
     
  • 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 ]
     
  • 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 in quiet little 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 | GPS | Cue sheet ]
     
  • 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.  [ Details | Map | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     

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Long Hilly routes

  • 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 | GPS | Photos ]
     
  • 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 -- 83 miles, hilly.  Sweeping views, old houses, farms and lots of quiet roads, a waterfall or two -- and a long, beautiful downhill run.  (Also a 62-mile variation).  Start points Lake Taghkanic State Park, Livingston, Hudson, Kinderhook, Hillsdale, Copake Falls.  5000 vertical feet, hill index 4.3.  [ Description | Map ]
     
  • NYC to the Seven Lakes -- 96 miles, hilly. Lakes with islands and pretty forest (without residences or industry) in Harriman Park.  River views, classic descents, variety of suburban architecture along the loop getting there and back. Start points Manhattan and Fort Lee NJ (also Allendale NJ, Harriman State Park, Stony Point, Nyack).  Around 6800 vertical feet. [ Details | Map | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     
  • NYC to Bear Mt by interior + river -- 99 miles, hilly. River views, classic descents, variety suburban architecture, forests (variations have mountain lakes with islands). Ride up to Bear Mt differently, mostly thru the interior, then return the more usual river way. One or two sections on dirt (avoidable).  Start points Manhattan and Fort Lee NJ; also Allendale NJ, Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks, Stony Point, Nyack.  Around 6800 vertical feet. [ Details | Map | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     
  • NYC to Bear Mountain Adventure -- 101 miles, hilly.  The great (non-train-supported) bicycling adventure from Manhattan -- river views, mountain views, classic descents, pretty lakes with islands amidst uninhabited forests in Harriman Park. One or two sections on dirt (avoidable). Has a short tricky traffic situation which might be illegal - (there's a variation which avoids it, but that adds 17 miles with more hills).   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. [ Details | Map | GPS | Cue sheet ] 
     
  • 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 ] 
     

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