South County Trailway

The South County Trailway is a zippy paved trail heading north from Yonkers through the Hudson River Valley communities of Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington, Greenburgh and Elmsford. Popular with bike commuters seeking relief from the area's busy streets and parkways, the trail follows the former Putnam Division line ("Old Put") of the New York Central Railroad and links two other rail-trails on the same line: the Old Putnam Trail in the south and the North County Trailway in Mount Pleasant.

The trail begins at the border of Westchester County and New York City, just outside Van Cortlandt Park. However, there is no trail access at this location. You must approach either from the Old Putnam Trail out of Van Cortlandt Park or by proceeding south from Redmond Park.

North from HF Redmond Jr. Memorial Park, a new section of trail was completed in October 2011. Carry on slightly uphill from the park entrance to the intersection at Mile Square Road then cross the Palmer Road bridge. Just north of that is an observation point that offers views of north Yonkers.

The next 7.5 miles are smooth sailing; the trail passes through mixed residential and commercial areas and parallels the Saw Mill River Parkway. Through V. Everit Macy Park the trail runs between the parkway and the New York Thruway. Though the majority is bordered by a fencerow of deciduous trees and brush, you are seldom far from traffic noise. The numerous side road crossings are well signed, but be alert at all crossings both for motorists and cyclists.

In Elmsford, another short gap in the rail-trail requires on-road navigation. The Route 9A Bypass Project will someday eliminate this 0.5-mile detour. When the trail ends at Main Street in Elmsford, turn right to cross Main Street at the traffic light. Turn left and then turn right through the parking lot to Vreeland Avenue. Follow Vreeland Avenue through a commercial and industrial area and make a slight right onto Hayes Street. Hayes Street turns right and becomes North Payne Street. At the stop sign, turn left onto Saw Mill River Road. Turn left onto Warehouse Lane, which dead-ends where the South County Trailway resumes.

The official endpoint of the South County Trailway, and the start of the 22-mile North County Trailway, is where the corridor crosses Old Saw Mill River Road. If you want to extend, or even double, your mileage, cross the road and make tracks on the line where the Old Put ran.

To reach Redmond Park in Yonkers from Central Park Avenue in Yonkers, exit at Palmer Road and travel west to Mile Square Road (traffic light); turn left. Proceed south on Mile Square Road to Cook Avenue. Turn right and drive south on Cook Avenue to the entrance to Redmond Park on the right. Turn right into the park and proceed to the parking lot. A paved ramp leads up to the trail at the far end of the parking lot.

To reach Touissant Avenue in Yonkers from I-87, take the Tuckahoe Road exit and go east on Tuckahoe Road. Turn right onto Touissant Avenue. The trail is on the right. There is limited street parking on this short residential road.

To reach Mount Pleasant, take Saw Mill River Parkway to Exit 23 for Eastview. Follow Old Saw Mill River Road west until it becomes Neperan Road. The Eastview park-and-ride lot is on the right side of the road.