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Reported: June 2022

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park...

Scenic Biking Across Hudson River on the Empire State Trail

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a must-do for bike trippers doing the Hudson River Valley. The bridge across the river is built on an old (1889) Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge between Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY. It's the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge, 1.28 miles in length, 212 feet above the Hudson River. Each year, over 700,000 visitors enjoy the scenic, 360-degree views. Most bikers will make this part of a longer ride. To the east, the Walkway links to the 13-mile Dutchess Rail Trail, and to the west, it connects seamlessly to the 7-mile Hudson Valley Rail Trail - all part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail (New York City to Canada, and Albany to Buffalo). (Detailed map and photos below.)

Biking Map...
Walkway Over the Hudson

View Larger Map

Location: Poughkeepsie (Duchess County) to Highland (Ulster County), NY (See map)
Distance: 1.5 miles (the bridge, 1.28 miles)
Surface: Concrete
Trailheads/Parking: Poughkeepsie (61 Parker Ave.), Highland (87 Haviland Road)
Nearby Places of Interest: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Vassar College, Culinary Institute of America

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Hudson Bike Co. (Highland; rentals, sales, service; rentals only at the west trailhead)
Hudson Bike Share (Poughkeepsie, at the east trailhead; app based, seasonal)

Biking at Walkway Over the Hudson... Comments and Photos

There are trailheads at each end of the Walkway: to the east at 61 Parker Ave., and to the west at 87 Haviland Road. An ADA-compliant 21-story glass elevator (a destination in itself) is available at Upper Landing Park (83 N. Water St.) in Poughkeepsie - seasonal and subject to closure due to weather or maintenance, check the website for current status. There's also a stairway that runs up from Washington St. to the East Gate Plaza. The Walkway can be very busy, especially on weekends, and it may better to walk your bike. It's also the site of many events - concerts, movies, festivals, races and tours - that can lead to crowds (the website lists upcoming events). No shade.

East Trailhead - Parking to River

Access Path, Visitor Center, East Gate Plaza, Bridge to Elevator

The upper parking lot at Parker Ave. is fee-based, the free lower lot is under construction through 2023. From the parking area, the east access path runs about 3/4 mile to the elevator at the river. The Dutchess County Visitor Center and the East Gate Plaza provide restrooms, information, gift shop, vending machines, picnic tables, and outdoor event space. The bridge starts at East Gate Plaza (at the Washington St. stairway). Continuing on the bridge toward the river, the Walkway crosses several roads and gives rooftop views of surrounding Poughkeepsie neighborhoods.

Crossing the Hudson

Spanning the River

Past the elevator platform, the Walkway crosses the Hudson River. The bridge is wide and flat, easy to ride - cyclists must yield to pedestrians. Pull-offs are provided at regular intervals to take in the Hudson River Valley views, including the Mid-Hudson Bridge a half-mile to the south. The day we visited, it was very windy. Riding westbound into the wind was a challenge, but we blew back easily!

End of Walkway to Hudson Valley Rail Trail

West Trailhead, Welcome Center

Leaving the Walkway you pass through the "Scenic Hudson Gate" onto a plaza at the Ulster County Welcome Center. Here are parking, restrooms, covered patio, concession stand, and bike rentals. The Hudson Valley Rail Trail (link below) continues seamlessly to the west. The statue honoring Sojourner Truth, the 19th Century African-American abolitionist and women's rights advocate, was erected in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage . More about Sojourner Truth .

Walkway Loop Trail

To return to Poughkeepsie, an alternate route is the Walkway Loop Trail, extending the ride to 4.4 miles. From the west trailhead, go past the parking lot and follow Haviland Rd. to the Mid-Hudson Bridge and ride the north walkway back across the river. Then, a street and sidewalk route winds back to the Walkway at Washington St. We didn't ride this route, as comments from others expressed a preference for returning via the Walkway, due to heavy traffic and noise on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, and along the city streets.

Some History

The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge (AKA Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge) was completed in 1889. Called the "Great Connector," it was the only fixed crossing across the Hudson River until 1924, serving as a major rail corridor for both freight and passengers between the Midwest and Northeast. During World War II, it played a vital role in carrying troop and supply trains. After a fire In 1974, and with rail traffic in decline, the bridge was abandoned and passed into the hands of a private owner but the bridge continued to decline amid ongoing neglect and litigation. Finally in 1998, a grassroots movement resulted in formation of the a non-profit volunteer organization called Walkway Over the Hudson, which gained ownership. Through partnerships with the State of New York, federal government, local communities, corporations and other non-profit organizations the dream of turning the old bridge into a pedestrian and bicycle walkway was finally realized. Walkway Over the Hudson Historic State Park opened in 2009 in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage up the Hudson River on his search for a Northwest Passage to China. The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. It's the oldest surviving steel cantilever bridge in the world.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Biking:
Hudson Valley Rail Trail

Empire State Trail - Manhattan to Albany, Canada, and Buffalo
Bike-New York - More bike trails and information about biking in New York State

Related Resources:
NY Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation - Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Walkway Over the Hudson
Walkway Over the Hudson brochure
Walkway Over the Hudson Loop Trail brochure

Support and Advocacy:
Walkway Over the Hudson
Scenic Hudson