Find the top rated birding trails in Beacon, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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I live nearby and have biked and hiked this several times. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
It's not very long, but the scenery is outstanding. Fresh mountain breezes, good asphalt surface and sometimes the NYC water department runs a fountain nearby that blows cool water on hot days. Just do it.
I rode the trail last week starting at the Wassaic Metro-North station (free parking only on weekends and holidays) and ending at Orphan Farm Road. I did continue to Hillsdale but as there was no signage to indicate how to find the newest section from Hillsdale to Black Grocery road, I did it on road.
All-in-all, both of the main completed sections are in very good shape, fine for road bikes. For the on road gap I took Route 22 going north (flatter but fairly busy with high-speed traffic) and the Under Mountain Road- Rudd Pond Road Route (hillier but much less traffic with swimming available at Taconic State Park- Rudd Pond) on my return. The roads were in good shape either way.
Bash Bish Falls State Park off the northern section is well worth the minor detour. Stay on the road to the falls parking lot and in a 1/4 mile (up hill) you're in Massachusetts!
Dateline: Sunday July 08, 2018.
Weather: Sunny, clear, temps in the 80's, low humidity.
It has been on my list for a long time, because it's a good distance (25 miles according to my Strava) and it's only an hour drive from me. I am glad I can cross it off my list. Not in my top 5, but I many trails, so it has stiff competition. The trail itself is in pretty good shape, and no trail is perfect. The scenery to me would rate average at best, but again it has very stiff competition from the places I have visited. I definitely suggest a visit so you can decide for yourself.
Caution. After visiting many bike trails thanks to TrailLink, my only complaint is that some of the parking areas need to be reviewed more carefully. In this case I kept driving past the northern most parking area listed in Goshen and went to one midway in Monroe just off Route 17. It is a Park & Ride, very nicely paved, well lit, safe and right next to the trail.
Always take the address/directions/GPS to more than one parking lot and visit the TLink site just before departing for any updates. I drove 2.5 hours to Windsor Locks, CT to find out the entire trail was closed temporarly, and my only parking lot address closed for the entire year. But I will go back, because the trails themselves have not let me down.
Took this as an alternative to the narrow shoulder section of 9W and much like another post from last year, it's still completely overgrown - I was able to pass on 25mm tires, but it definitely wasn't easy. A ton of small rocks underneath the greenery, a fallen tree, some wet sand, etc...
The trail really has potential if it were properly maintained.
Pictures don’t do it justice. Get your mountain bike or cross country bike ready and hit this trail! First section of the trail is a bit busy with pedestrians, but it becomes nice and clear once you start entering the woods further north.
The trail started off great, but starlight park entry is closed and the detour is pretty far out of the way. We rode from manhattan to Bronx on bikes so we decided not to finish the trail
Would like to take this time to thank all that help keep this trail in the wonderful condition that it is in. This week was riding and notice two women picking up trash. Took time and thanked both for what they where doing. More of us should take the time when seeing these people doing work to keep this trail. Thanks !
Yes trail is paved and is great to ride smooth pavement. Was wondering why there are no entrance signs to trail. Was at Monroe, Airport Park, and there are NO MARKINGS as to where one is to enter trail. Noted small goat paths from parking lot to trail. Also was wondering why when heading South that there is no notice that trail dead ends with a chain link fence. Wonder how many law suits from hitting fence or rider dumping their bikes. Good thing that I was not goin down that hill at a fast pace, 20 plus mph. Also this trail is no way a 1. The North and South directions from Monroe are hills that are 5 degrees or more and each are 2.5 miles or longer. This would be a work out for any beginner. Just a note that I was riding a Catrike Expedition. I have about 3k miles riding trikes. Would have been nice if there was a entrance that a trike would be able to enter Trail.
Totally ignore the previous comment about the trail being rough w/ large rocks. We just rode from Gardiner to Rosendale. Trail is great. My wife a sissy on rough stuff and even she thought the trail was easy. She was on a Hybred...did fine. That previous lady must walk over sidewalk cracks! I’m just glad we ignored her comment! I’d have been pissed if the wife had stayed home. (So would she)! We stopped in New Paltz and had lunch at Los Jalapeno’s! Best Guacamole Dip we’ve ever had!! Burrito was excellent also! Highly recommend (and we’re from Texas) Overall..I highly recommend this trail for ANY level of cyclists!
So glad this railtrail is now complete. Glad we wore hiking boots - old rr ties and tree roots. Great view of the falls - the side trail off this railtrail to view the falls is not well marked. The DEC trail to the top of the falls is well done. Port-a-potties at Laurel House trail head. TrailLink needs to update their map as it is not correct.
My husband and I recently explored this trail on our road bikes with a 2-year old in a bike trailer.
Pros:
1) Plenty of shade and tree cover. Perfect for those scorching summer days!
2) Most (not all) people know how to stay to one side of the road, but if you give a friendly "On your left!" or "On your right!" they'll quickly move over for you.
3) Easy entry. We parked at Briarcliff Manor Public Library and felt completely safe leaving our car there. The entrance to the trail is in the parking lot, next to the library (big red building). Plus, there is a public bathroom in the tented area, as well as plenty of picnic tables.
4) Trail is well marked.
5) Most (not all) cyclists are respectful and know how to conduct themselves on two wheels.
Now, the cons:
1) Considerable amount of bumps from tree roots, cracks, potholes, dips, and corroded asphalt, which honestly seems like the norm when it comes to bike trails. I think it's just impossible to have a completely smooth surface when nature is so unpredictable. My butt was a bit sore and my kid said "ouch" a few times, but we had no problems getting through it on our road bikes. In fact, you'll see plenty of cyclists training on road bikes with no problems whatsoever.
2) Getting to the North County Trail seems impossible, at least from the Public Library. We discovered it would require riding ON the shoulder of the Saw Mill River Parkway. No way!
3) Bathrooms do not exist, so make sure to pee before you head out.
Tip: From the Library, we rode about 12 miles to Rivertowns Square Shopping Plaza in Dobbs Ferry to grab lunch at Chipotle. It's a quick 5 minute detour from the trail and you'll need to cross Saw Mill River Parkway, but there are traffic lights and crosswalks in this section. We also stopped at Menchie's Fro Yo which is in the same shopping plaza. There's also a Starbucks and Chop't if you're in need of a salad and caffeine.
Enjoy your ride!
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