South County Trailway (Old Put, Putnam ROW):
New York
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Description:
The South County Trailway is a paved bicycle/pedestrian path located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The "Old Put," as it was fondly referred to by commuters, provided freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx in New York City and Brewster in Putnam County. Freight service continued to operate sporadically on lower portions (Elmsford and south) of the line, but retracted southward until it was eventually discontinued. The last lower Put freight train made its final run in August 1982. In 1993, Westchester County acquired the former railroad line from Eastview to the New York City line.

The Putnam Railroad once served 23 stations in Westchester, some of which still stand today. The former Elmsford station is the only remaining station structure along the South County Trailway. It now houses a restaurant. Historic markers describing local history have been placed at most of the former station locations.

The Putnam Right-of-way spans 36.2 linear miles through Westchester County, of which 14.1 miles comprise the South County Trailway, from Eastview south to the New York City border. The remaining 22.1 miles, north of Eastview to the Putnam County border, are nearly all developed as the North County Trailway.

The South County Trailway is one element of the County's trail system that also includes the Bronx River Pathway and Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway. To obtain information and brochures of county-operated trails, call the County Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Conservation at (914) 864-PARK or write the Department at 25 Moore Ave., Mt. Kisco, NY 10549.
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Close the 2-mile gap already!
By shoeshoe14 on August 11, 2008
The last time I rode this section was over 1.5 years ago and the 2-mile gap from Toussaint and Belknap to Cook Avenue was still overgrown. This section is for the most part, a neighborhood with a few cuts, but it does flood heavily.

I understand the length of time it takes to acquire land and easements and put pieces out to bid, but geez, this section is getting worse. Even still, there is no signage telling you where to go! Sure it says it ends and I'm adventurous, because you just follow the ROW and topography, but this area of congested mazes is quite hard to follow and you wind up on neighboring trails, like the Bronx River near Lawrence Hospital.

Signage would help, and I've cc'd my concerns to the appropriate groups.
SCT Does Go to Van Cortlandt Park, but...
By marchiro on July 01, 2008
The Southern end of the trailway ends at Touisant Avenue, in Yonkers, just North of Tuckahoe Road. In order to pick up the trail again (at this time), you must travel East on Tuckahoe Road (making a Left onto Tuckahoe Road) traveling about 1/4 mile, to make a RT onto "Mile Square Road", which crosses over the Ol' Putnum tracks. Take "Mile Square Road" through Yonkers, passing Palmer Avenue. As you continue, the road will fork. Bike onto the RT onto "Cook Avenue" into Redmond Park. Circling around the Athletic field, half way, you will come to a small dirt road. Bike up the dirt path and you will be on the new exrtension to the SCT, which will you take you into Van Cortland Park. Its a great ride down, all downhill. Its a great workout to get back!!!! Enjoy. I hear that the county will extend the SCT so that we will not have to enter onto Tuckahoe Road, but is yet to be seen.
MK
SCT extended 8 more miles
By REVMOUSE on July 25, 2006
South County Trail now extends southward to Van Courtland Park in the Bronx making the trail a total of 14 miles!!!!YAY
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