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Print Friendly MapThe South County Trailway rolls 14.4 miles through one of the most dense parts of greater New York City, though its backcountry route through pocket woodlots, parks, and golf courses and along riverbanks make it easy to forget its populous surrounds. Along with its counterpart, the North County Trailway, the trail serves as a north-south spine for car-free travel through Westchester County, as part of the statewide Empire State Trail. Plentiful tree cover provides generous shade in the summertime, though the tree roots have created ridges in the asphalt that can make for bumpy travel for trail-users on wheels.
About the Route
The South County Trailway’s northern endpoint is at 415 Old Saw Mill River Road (Elmsford), where it connects with its sister trail, the North County Trailway. Heading south, the trail follows near the eastern side of Saw River Mill Parkway, though tucked away and separated from the road by forest. Leaving the northern endpoint, trail passes behind industrial zones home to warehouses and the New York Knicks’ training facility, and crosses under I-287 before reaching the denser, residential town center of Elmsford.
In Elmsford, at a street-level unmarked crossing at W Main St., the trail passes its only surviving railroad station from the “Old Put” days. It is home a restaurant today, one of many places to eat nearby. Continuing south, the trail surrounds quickly returns to forest on a stretch of wooded thicket tucked between Saw Mill Pky and I-87. The the trail passes Woodlands Lake in V.E. Macy Park, where the haunting Great Hunger Memorial across the lake memorializes the millions who died in the Irish potato famine.
Continuing south, the trail approaches clusters of small businesses, and two large indoor sports complexes as it reaches Chauncey. Further options for a snack or beverage are easily accessible just west of the trail, at its junction with Lawrence Street. Just south of here, the trail passes the sprawling Mount Hope and Westchester Hills Cemeteries on a mostly straight and forested stretch, with Saw Mill Parkway in earshot to its west, and the Saw Mill River to its east. After whisking underneath Ravensdale Road, and crossing Farragut Avenue at street level, the trail crosses over the Saw Mill River at a bridge.
Ahead, as the trail enters Yonkers, the environment remains tree-lined, though trailside businesses and residences become more dense. The trail crosses Saw Mill River Road on an exclusive bridge, before finding two trailside, wooded community parks, Henning Park and Welty Park. As the trail curves, an observation point, just north of the Palmer Road overpass, reveals a view of north Yonkers at the trail’s highest point. The path then weaves through the suburban community of Dunwoodie, as the trail passes the 126-acre Dunwoodie Golf Course to the west and the HF Redmond Jr. Memorial Park to the east.
The trail crosses south over two bridges, over Yonkers Boulevard and Cross County Parkway, to reach the sprawling Tibbetts Brook Park, home to find a popular water park, lakes, and several additional miles of walking trails. Leaving the park on its southernmost portion, the trail takes a gentle, steady decline on a mostly straight stretch, After crossing McLean Ave, The South County Trailway comes to its southern endpoint at Van Cortlandt Park, 0.3 mile south of McLean Ave (Yonkers), at the Westchester County-Bronx line. The trail continues south from here into New York City as the Old Putnam Trail.
Connections
From its northern endpoint, the South County Trailway connects directly to the North County Trailway, which in turn connects to the Putnam Trailway even further north.
From its southern endpoint, the South County Trailway connects directly and continues south through Van Cortlandt Park and into New York City as the Old Putnam Trail. From Van Cortlandt Park, connections are also available to the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.
The trail is also part of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile, on- and off-road route between New York City, Buffalo, and New York State’s northern Canadian border.
Trail History
The South County Trailway follows the former rail bed of the New York and Putnam Railroad. Constructed beginning in 1869, the rail line changed hands several times in the late 19th century, before opening for passenger and freight service in 1881. The corridor was re-organized as the New York and Putnam Railroad in 1894, and in 1913, became the New York Central Railroad’s Putnam Division, cementing the nickname “Old Put” from commuters. Passenger service ended in 1958. Trail construction began in 1990 and was completed in 2017.
The South County Trailway runs between 415 Old Saw Mill River Rd. (Elmsford) and Van Cortlandt Park (Yonkers), with parking available at the Elmsford endpoint.
The New York City Subway offers transit access to the trail via the 1 train at Van Cortlandt Park-242 Street Station. If taking a bike aboard a train, refer to the transit agency’s policies. The trail is also accessible in several places via Westchester County’s Bee-Line bus service.
Parking is also available at:
There are numerous parking options along this route, see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Parked at the trail head in Elmsford rode north to Yorktown Heights plenty of places to get a cold drink or food then went on south county trail not many places along the way to get a cold drink or food & zero porta John’s . Overall great trail , good markings & scenic at the end the trail changed a bit still paved and ride a few miles in Putnam greenway Van Courtland park Bronx this was a plus .
Road this fully paved trail in connection with the Old Putnam Trail (also known as the Putnam Greenway) as an out-and-back from the Tarrytown Lakes Park Parking Lot on Neperan Road (1 mile connector trail to the junction of the North and South County Trails) to the south end of Van Cortlandt Park. About a 35 mile round-trip. Trail is in very good shape with only a few root heaves. Note that the Old Putnam Trail is significantly narrower and busy with runners and walkers, especially on weekends.
I work the trail on NYE great walk what I recommend some great walking running sneakers great views burned a lot of calories planning to do it again when Late Spring Summer arrives
Beautiful ride from north of Van Cortlandt part to Mahopac.Well paved and maintained.Connected to the North County trail And the Putnam trailway
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