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Print Friendly MapThe Maybrook Trailway is a paved multiuse trail stretching across Putnam and Dutchess counties in New York state. The trail, which is owned and was built by Metro North Rail, occupies the former secondary track of the Beacon Line. It was once a two-track freight line, but one track was removed in 1962; which is where the bike path is situated. The trail parallels the other set of Metro North-owned disused Beacon Line tracks as it travels the 23 miles from Brewster through Southeast, Patterson, Pawling, Beekman and East Fishkill to the hamlet of Hopewell Junction. A previously existing segment of approximately five miles heads east from Brewster to Danbury, Connecticut via the East Branch Reservoir.
The trail is paved and generally flat, making accessible to a wide range of users, including walkers, cyclists, skaters, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The trail delivers on attractive scenery and storied railroad history of the Hudson Valley, running through woodlands, along picturesque lakes and across iron truss bridges. In Hopewell Junction, the trail ends at the Hopewell Depot, standing since 1873, which now houses a museum and historical photo gallery.
The 23 miles between Brewster and Hopewell Junction opened in 2021, and is one of several trails that make up the Empire State Trail across New York State, 750 miles of walking and bikeways running from New York City to the Canadian border, as well as from Albany to Buffalo. The trail all but completes the connection to the Putnam Trailway, which in turn connects to the North County Trailway on its way down to NYC. At Hopewell Junction, it provides a seamless link to the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail , and onward to the Walkway over the Hudson State Park and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Ulster County.
In Pawling, just north of Whaley Lake, the trailway intersects with the Appalachian Trail.
Southeast Town Park on Tonetta Lake acts as the trailhead on the Brewster end. Using I-84 take exit 21 towards Rt 202. Make a right on Main St/Rt 6 followed by a right onto Peaceable Hill Rd. Turn right on Tonetta Lake Rd and make the first left onto Pumphouse Rd.
In Pawling, the trailhead can be found at the intersection of State Route 252 and Holmes Road.
And in Hopewell Junction, parking is available at the Hopewell Depot (36 Railroad Ave, Hopewell Junction).
Just tried the trail for the first time doing the first 10 miles from Southeast Town Park. In those 10 miles there was one road crossing and you can still go further without one - I didn't go to the end yet. There is a long gradual grade of about 500' over 5.5 miles but really not bad. There are a few spots with a flat rock as a bench but no bathrooms at all and nothing much around as far as stores or such. My estimate is that trail will be mostly shady before noon but will be lots of sun in the afternoon.
Very scenic trail though residential and park like areas including a nice section through a swamp area - bring your bug repellant.
I biked from Brewster to Poughkeepsie on March 12, once it finally warmed up a bit. There were a few short slushy sections and a head wind, and the trail's surprisingly hilly, but I got to Hopewell Junction in about two hours. There are no services between Brewster and HJ, and the trail feels pretty remote, but there's lots of nice scenery.
Now that most of the snow has melted I ventured East from Greenhaven up Depot Hill by bike. Quite a long uphill stretch. When I got near the top the cooler temperatures and shade kept the trail snow covered. After pushing my bike uphill for a stretch it wasn’t clearing. My goal was to get to Whaley Lake but will have to return when Spring temperatures permit. No regrets fabulous paved trail. It would be a considerable uphill walk from Greenhaven as there is no trail head parking until you reach the summit. Mostly wooded with interesting rock cuts along this section. A few intersecting country roads homes and bucolic old farms, stone walls typical to the area. Well worth returning.
This trail is a gem. Fully open now from Tonetta Lake in Brewster to Hopewell Junction. Be aware that there are at least 2 additional parking areas/access points where the trail crosses RT 292 in Holmes (Whalay Lake - Holmes Community Center) and where it crosses Old Rt 55. The trail is in great condition, has some great lake and marsh views throughout and crosses the Appalachian Trail at one point.
The MTA has increased their warnings complete with fines for all to stay off the trail. No doubt in my mind whether or not it’s open. https://maybrooktrailway.org/
They are currently working on this trail. You can find updates on this website: https://maybrooktrailway.org/
This new portion will run from Pumphouse Road in Brewster to the parking lot in Hopewell Junction for the Dutchess Rail Trail.
According to the preliminary construction timeline on the website, it is scheduled to be open in January (winter/spring) of 2021.
Currently the paved section that heads north stops underneath Tonetta Lake Road which is just south of I-84. From here to Pumphouse road is a "missing link" in the trail.
We rode this trail in June 2020. There were signs that seemed to indicate the path was closed but numerous people were entering on foot, rollerblade, and bikes. A number of websites seem to indicate the path is still under construction and not yet open to the public but MTA does not seem to restrict access. We are still unclear.
Paved ends at Griffin rd. Bridge, but Black fence ends at Pumphouse rd...Hoping it goes further,Then i go east and it ends at the Train Tressel which i understand because it would cost to much to cross it i guess,but then the cutoff is at at Lisi's towing which baffles me but when i drive down Rt.6 in my Vehicle the Black Fence starts up again Hmmm!!!.
Paved section enter off N. Main St behind Kobackers to Peaceable Hill Rd. Run down the stairs around the corner on Rt 6 up the hill towards Brewster Honda back up the steps and continue to dead end/turnaround by Exit 10 ramp close to Danbury border. Combined with the local roads for a great run! Once the section is paved over the railroad bridge over RT 6/202 it will be a straight run, no stairs.
On my walk down to Southeast Park today, I checked what I suppose will be an "entrance" to this path, accessible from Pumphouse Rd. A black fence is up next to the tracks, but the terrain is rocky, and it's not smooth-paved asphalt surface yet. Not ready for biking at this location YET, but it will be fun to watch things progress from here, and eventually connect up to the Putnam Trailway (http://www.traillink.com/trail/putnam-trailway.aspx).
I'm excited to use this path once the project is completed. Looking good thus far!
As of 4 July 2016. Seems to be about a mile of San over gravel. There is construction equipment at the west end, but not much happening. Looks like it will be a nice trail when complete.
Small portion of Maybrook trail is now paved. Trail can be easily accessed from Crosby Ave in Brewster. Trail paved a few hundred yards north toward I84. Also paved a few hundred yards south and east toward Danbury. Contractor actively working on trail putting down base and working on trestles. Looks like a stairway is being installed at the Peaceable Hill Road overpass.
Unfortunately no connection to the Putnam Trailway. No construction activity at all on the bridge necessary to cross Metro North active rails.
At Eastern end it looks like the trail will eventually be paved to the CT border or even further.
I was unable to find any access point to this trail in August 2015. I could see some places where there was a fence separating the trail from the railroad, but there was no way to get to the trail that I could find. I asked a policeman if he knew how to get to it, but he said it was not open yet.
No stars. As of May 2015 this trailway consists of crushed stone and runs along a railroad track separated by a fence. The surface is not suitable for bicycles at this time. Parking was not visible at either end.
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