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After many years of driving over an hour from NJ to Turner st in Hopewell Junction to ride the Dutchess trail to Walkway Over the Hudson - it was fun to go south / east in the other direction. I rode about 14.5 miles from Hopewell Junction to Holmes, a mile or so past Whaley Lake. That's roughy half of the Maybrook trailway . 29 miles round trip on a perfect day (7/22/21). As someone noted it is uphill 13 of these 14 miles. But hardly noticeable. Since the locomotives can't manage hills, the railroad builders levelled the right of way. Here with the existing track next to you - you're assured of no steep hills whatsoever. About 65 minutes to the turn around point, very leisurely done but flew back to Hopewell Junction at 17 mph and 40 minutes.
Will explore the other half next week starting in Brewster. I expect it to be just as enjoyable as this was.
I rode this trail out and back on 7/15/2021. Total out and back ride clocked in at 9.55 miles, 150 feet elevation change down heading North, so 150 feet uphill heading back South. I parked in the shopping plaza by the Taco Bell and rode the bike lane to the CTfastrack station where the trail starts.
For the most part the trail was clean except for a broken bottle just outside the first station, and a couple of trash cans that were left out for pickup on one of the sidewalk sections. There were not many people on the actual trail and every single one of them said hello and or thanked me for signaling when passing. The trail parallels not only the bus lane, but also an active train line, Amtrak is doing work on the line so in some places you can smell the new ties that they are installing. On the north end of the trail I stopped at a Dunkin' that was across the street from the station, and at the south end I stopped by the bike shop that is next to the hotel and part of the parking garage. There is a mix of businesses along the trail including convince stores and places to get food. The scenery is a mix of urban, industrial, tree lined, train tracks, and bus depots, if you pay attention you will even see a fiberglass Cobra Shelby along the sidewalk section. You will see plenty of busses, and if you are lucky maybe a train.
This is a great ride for me to test my novice skills. I find myself coming back to here twice a week after work just to get a quick workout in
This is a great trail for biking. Lots of hills so bring your ‘A’ game. You can also rent a bike from Pedego a tenth of mile away from the trailhead. The evoked will get you Thru the hills no problem. Pedego Stony Brook in East Setauket 690 NY 25A.
Okay, I road the whole trail, but on 2 days separated by a month. First I started at the Hopewell Junction parking lot (the end of the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess County Rail Trail). The second time I started riding in Brewster, near the end of the Putnam Valley trail. Either way you are going up a 1-3% grade until the level area near Whaley Lake.
Since it was paved with asphalt last year, this is a very smooth trail. There are several lovely watery areas on this trail and it is a great place for bird watchers. Except for either end, it is a somewhat secluded trail and very quiet. Thank you NYS for your investment.
This is all part of a section of NY's Empire State trail, and includes off road portions in Kingston, NY (the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail - gravel), continues through New Paltz, NY to the Hudson Valley RT, across the Walkway Over The Hudson and then to the Dutchess section. Then it continues through the Maybrook, Putnam, North County and South County rail trails to NYC. So you could ride more than 100 miles paved off-road.
Starting from either end Whaley Lake is the mid-point. From Hopewell Junction you ride east, north, and then south. Views include the Green Haven Correctional facility in Stormville, with its imposing and very high walls, and inmate sounds from inside those walls. From Brewster you ride northward past Ice Pond with its very long straight stretch (one mile?) for time trials. Going this way to the lake is shorter by about 3 or 4 miles than from Hopewell Jct. As you go upward the trail becomes very beautiful with flora and fauna. There are forest areas, beautiful mountain streams, marshlands, swamps, and then Whaley Lake. Also, there are many signs to "Stay on the Trail" to avoid snakes, poison ivy, and ticks, as well as "Stay off the Tracks" or private property.
Great day on the Maybrook. Rode from Lake Tonetta to Hopewell Junction and back, about 44 miles. Having previously ridden from Lake Tonetta to Whaley Lake, I was familiar with the basic trail..gradual uphill from Lake Tonetta to Whaley Lake, gradual downhill then from Whaley Lake to Hopewell Junction. The incline is very gradual, so not super hard but makes for a fairly long pull either way, so keep this in mind. Trail in fine shape. The first part to Whaley Lake passes several nice ponds with some hills in the background. And then Whaley Lake is beautiful, there’s a long stretch right alongside it. From Whaley Lake to Hopewell Junction, the trail is more secluded, passes over a couple of country roads and through rock cuts, and there are a few nice peeks through the trees and a view of the valley. Trail also passes the somewhat harrowing sight of Greenhaven prison briefly and also an area for NYPD canine training with big fences. But I could see this being pretty spectacular in the Fall, and it’s very quiet and peaceful. Hopewell Junction has a great stop at their old train station with picnic tables and restrooms…they did a great job with that. In Hopewell Junction you connect directly to the Dutchess County trail that leads to the walkway over the Hudson. All in all, a really nice trail, good variety of sections and sights. Note that you don’t pass through local downtowns per se, I saw restrooms at the Stormville parking area and at Lake Tonetta and Hopewell Junction. I understand there are a couple of services not far from some of the crossings (e.g. Route 292) but I did not go off the trail on this trip. Definitely worth a visit!
Easy access and very flat and straight. Nice trail to cycle for couples and families.
My son and I did a pre-fathers day ride. Trail was terrible. Many dead birds on trail and not well maintained. Would not recommend. No trail markers, or mile markers.
After weathering construction on the Colchester spur it appears all systems go on the airline trail. I did notice a new connection to the hop river spur from Mackees. So many choices!
I recently rode the entirety of the North County Trailway starting in Elmsford and ending at Somers. The entire trail is paved and in perfect condition, no cracks, bumps or tree roots in sight. Starting in Elmsford makes the return trip significantly easier. Given the completion of the Empire State Trail new signage and mile markers have been installed. There are a few towns along the way for food and there were two major trailheads with bike repair stations but no public water or bathrooms that I could see.
I rode on a very hot day but most of the trail is shaded which provided great relief. The on-road sections mentioned in the description have been separated with a guard rail so no riding with traffic. There are a handful of road crossings, some busy, but I found drivers to be very polite. My only criticism is that the scenery is typical rail trail; forests, streams, some farmland and residential areas. All very nice to look at but nothing breathtaking.
Parking for Holmes access is at the Community Center on 292 (not the apartment building on the corner) unless you want to get towed, they aren't very nice about it but can't really blame them.
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