I'm surprised there hasn't been a review of this trail since 2004, so here goes. (i used to post on here as DanburyDave under a different email and had some of my reviews published in a rail trail guidebook a few years back.)

This trail really such a gem, considering the proximity of the highway which was the first parkway in the country. It's easy to get to as I biked from Danbury to Brewster and took the train to Valhalla. The trail starts at the Kensico Dam Plaza, just east of the train station.

This first 5 miles wasn't my favorite part of the trail, but it is really beautiful. There are a lot of floodplains and long, straight visibility for all trail users. There aren't too many trash receptacles or benches but the grow more plentiful at the end.

You bypass the North White Plains and White Plains stops without seeing too much of the city at all, which has its positives and negatives. But this isn't a rail trail, it's a river trail and it naturally follows the river where and when it can. There are a few bridges, some at-grade street crossings, an aqueduct arch bridge that you can climb up inside for amazing architectural views and some on-road rights of way.

Almost at the end of the trail is a bridge that is dilapidated and an orange fence stops you, but considering there aren't any nearby streets or signs telling you where to backtrack, it's travel at your own risk. (It's in the spot where the Sprain Brook curve east in an arc nearest to Woodland Place and the other end is the river, railroad tracks and then open space. It's at least 1 mile north to White Plains for the nearest cross street or 1.4 miles south. That's my biggest pet peeve on trails; detour signs with no alternatives.

Luckily for me, there was a group of teen volunteers at the other end of the river, chipping off graffiti on the abutment. (You can see my pic of the bridge.) There were 4 planks missing, with 2 perpendicular next to each other that i walked over as i put my bike on the end rail and walked with it. then a bunch of planks and then 2 missing. One teen helped grab my bike while i jumped over.

The 1st segment ends at Greenacres Street in Hartsdale. Take a left on Greenacres, then a right on Walworth Ave which becomes Fox Meadow; a nice residential and quiet street. At the end, make a right on Crane and a quick left on "East Parkway" which is little more than a narrow street, incorporated as a parking lot within the Scarsdale Train Station. The other direction is a one-way but wider.

This is the tricky part of the trail. If you make your next right on the main road, you'll see the trail under you on the right and there are NO signs telling you where to go. The next right won't cut it. Turns out there's a small entrance behind the train station. If you take it to your right, it goes under the highway with some very beautiful bridge abutments in the water and some cool looking bottom sections of the nation's first parkway. You can continue on along the water, but it's best to walk it as a section is missing and then there's a small, narrow green bridge leading across to the other end, with a walkup to the road with a small opening in the guardrail on Aqueduct Drive.

Second Segment:

The first 3 miles of this 5 mile segment make the trip very worthwhile. It feels longer than it really is. I would love to do it all the time, it's that fun. It can be very technical as there's sudden drops in elevation or dips that require you to gain enough speed to get back up; a true optical delusion. There's hardly any visibility or straight lines at this point and it's very curvy and you have to be on your game to brake and watch out for trail users. It's pretty narrow here as it's not a traditional 10-ft wide rail trail. As with the White Plains segment, the trail goes under old stone arch bridges right on the water with railings so you have to watch your speed, turning ratio and if you're tall like me, ride downwards and duck at times. This section also has amazing wooden bridges that look quite artisan like with log planks etc and some waterfalls add to the beauty.

Then after a long "S", the trail becomes the oncoming shoulder of the Bronx River Parkway for a short while, before becoming disappearing into Tuckahoe. It abruptly ends at Palmer Avenue and doesn't continue.

The nearby Bronxville train station is .3 miles away. Left on Palmer, right on Pondfield, right on Kraft.

(If you want to continue on the South County Trailway, hang a right on Palmer and get ready to climb up the big hill, then a left on Mile Square, a right on Midland, a left on Yonkers and a quick right on Midland. This is because of the bridge detour over the Cross County Parkway). Turn right into Tibbetts Park, make a right and go past the football field, then look for signs up the hill to the other end of the bridge. You can take this through to Van Cortlandt Park and then hit the subway at 238th Street.)

"I see that someone posted that the trail is ""poorly maintained."" That presumably refers to the northern section, after the break in Scarsdale/Eastchester. The section from Eastchester south has always been well-maintained. This section is mostly flat, but curvy, with a couple of areas of not-too-demanding hills. Particularly in the very southern portion, it is hard to ride because of the people; easy goes it is the rule here.

As to the section in Tuckahoe on a road, it's not too busy, and was just repaved. There is a well-marked, wide shoulder, but care should be exercised with youngsters."

"This trail is poorly maintained, hilly and narrow in many spots. There is a confusing area near the train stations for North White Plains and White Plains.

If you insist on learning the trail, stay alongside the train station in White Plains and follow the sidewalk between the train track and the parkway to get to the path. The path winds back and forth around the Bronx River Parkway in some very low, dark and almost scary tunnels. I do not recommend it."

"I rode this trail last week and conditions up to Scarsdale were not the greatest. The county hasn't done any maintenance in years, with the exception of the call boxes. Additional signage is needed for those unfamiliar with the area.

I would suggest you buy the Official RTC New York Guidebook (see http://railtrails.tranguard.com/square.asp?tgs=60486:47563752&cart_id=&item_id=104) for excellent directions.

Finding the trail head in White Plains and getting through Scarsdale can be tricky. Overall it is fortunate to have a long and easily rideable trail not far from NYC and local comunities."

"Unlike the numerous surface types and varying conditions trail users will encounter on the northern section between Scarsdale and Valhalla, the trail surface between Bronxville and Eastchester is completely asphalt, uniformly smooth, and dry. Although gentle hills and winding segments predominate, this section of the Bronx River Pathway will still nonetheless truly delight most bicyclists and in-line skaters.

Due to the rather densely populated area this section of the trail goes through, expect to encounter sizeable numbers of trail users on good weather weekend days (especially near Bronxville Lake and Crestwood Lake). Also, parking spaces near the trail on any day other than a Sunday will be at a premium. On Sundays, free parking is available at the three Metro-North train stations along the route (Bronxville, Tuckahoe, and Crestwood). The commuter parking lot at the Crestwood station is most convenient to the trail.

Because this trail parallels the Bronx River Parkway and Metro-North’s Harlem Division train tracks, it can be very noisy at times. However, the lush wooded backdrop, peaceful Bronx River, charming pedestrian bridges, and expert trailside landscaping will assist you in forgetting about the constant din.

Like its sister trail from Scarsdale to Valhalla, there are several extremely busy and potentially dangerous street crossings along this route. One short segment of utilizes the shoulder of a city street in Tuckahoe. Parents with young children should exercise extreme caution.

This is a very nice city-located trail for biking, walking, running, or in-line skating. It is completely wheelchair accessible and also convenient to public transportation (Metro-North). Those within a 30-45 minute drive or train ride should not miss it."

"The Bronx River Pathway's northern section extends from the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla to Greenacres Road in Scarsdale.

Parking is available at many Metro-North train stations along the route but it is free only on Sunday in most municipalities. Free weekday and Saturday parking is available in the Kensico Dam Plaza parking lot in Valhalla.

You will find a combination of surfaces on this section of the Pathway. About 70% of it is paved, but there are dirt, gravel, and ballast segments as well. In line skaters will not be happy; walkers and bikers should do fine (road bikes stay away - bring your hybrid or mountain bikes only).

Expect many curves, steep inclines/declines, and low clearance underpasses. Bikers with expectations of power rides will be disappointed - caution is in order due to loose dirt and gravel in many spots. Also, because of the Pathway's proximity to the Bronx River, expect standing water and/or mud following significant rainfalls.

Distance from end-to-end of this section is five (5) miles. Figure 30-45 minutes for a one-way trip on a bike.

For families traveling with small children be aware that there are several busy street crossings and required travel through at least two (2) commuter parking lots along the way.

Trail maps are available from the Westchester County Department of Parks & Recreation.

If you're within a 30-45 minute drive of this trail, it's worth the trip.

Safe biking!"