November 2001: Ken's notes on access from from train stations.
This page has some thoughts about how to access the Trailways by Metro North
railroads from Manhattan.
Actually there's no way to ride the train right to the North County
or South County Trailways themselves. But there are some Metro North train stations
within a couple of miles.
Unfortunately, all the connecting routes we know between train
stations and the trails require riding on some roads that may have
high-speed and/or high-volume traffic of cars and other motor
vehicles. That's a whole different set of risks, with a whole different set of
skills and strategies needed for handling them.
So if your main reason for choosing these paths is because you don't
feel comfortable dealing with that, or you just don't feel like dealing
with that -- then these train-connection ideas won't help you.
Another alternative might be to arrange for a taxicab or bus to take you
between one of these train stations and the path.
Ideas for Train Connections
If you decide you can handle riding with the on-road traffic
interaction, here's a summary of the ideas we've heard so
far:
- Tarrytown (on Hudson line) to access south end of North County
Trailway.
At least 2.2 miles from Tarrytown station to the Trailway, including about 300
vertical feet of climbing (which is a substantial hill). There
is another paved mostly-off-road trail which could be used for part of
a connecting route. Any
route for making this connection will include at least one section on
some high speed and/or high-traffic-volume roads.
- Pleasantville (on Harlem Valley line) to access near south end of
North County Trailway.
At least 1.4 miles from Pleasantville station to the Trailway.
Any route for making this connection will include at least one section
on some high speed and/or high-traffic-volume roads.
- Goldens Bridge (on Harlem Valley line) to access the north end of
North County Trailway.
About 7.6 miles from Goldens Bridge station to the
Trailway. This includes 800 feet of climbing to
the Trailway (which is pretty hilly). But only 400 feet of
climbing if use it to exit from the Trailway (which is moderate
hilliness). Any route for making this connection will include at
least one section on some high speed and/or high-traffic-volume roads.
- Brewster (on Harlem Valley in Putnam county) to access the north
end of North County Trailway.
This could include some riding some off-road
sections of the Putnam County Bicycle
Trail -- but as of November 2002 this trail is not complete.
Any route for making this connection will include at
least one section on some high speed and/or high-traffic-volume roads.
For more detailed suggestions, see the more
Reports.
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