Dutchess Rail Trail in Dutchess County, NY

So, we all know how safe it is to ride your bike around the streets of Fairfield County.  Ya... so its great to find a good rail trail.  As Fairfield County, CT doesn't offer many options (there is a small dirt rail trail in Trumbull), The Dutchess Rail Trail makes for a great day out.  The drive to the start of the trail in Hopewell Junction, NY is about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on where you live in Fairfield County.

The Dutchess Rail Trail is currently around a 30 mile roundtrip ride.  It is completely paved with few road crossings and most of those road crossings were over driveways to old industrial parks - not busy.  Even the regular road crossings were not an issue.  The few busy roads you do have to pass, bridges have been built over them, so its not an issue.  There are parking lots to the trail every few miles, so you can do a short or long ride.  Being a rail trail, this is a very flat and easy ride.

The trail is not busy until you get to the Walkway Over The Hudson.  The Walkway bridge is over a mile long and has amazing views.  It can get a little windy on the bridge and crowded.  There are parking lots and food concessions on either side of the bridge, so when riding your bike, just know that you will have to go slow on the bridge and look out for people.  The Rail Trail continues for about two miles after the bridge and once you are off the bridge, the crowds are gone.

It was a hot day but most of the Rail Trail is in the shade.  There are also benches all along the rail trail if you need a break.

A bridge over a busy Road

One of the crossings

Walkway Over The Hudson - only time you will have crowds

The bridge and views (the views are so much better than my pictures)

Small concession areas are on either side of the bridge

For parking for the Rail Trail go to: http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/countygov/departments/dpw-parks/17285.htm   

In the past we have parked at the restaurant Daddy O's in Hopewell Junction, which has parking for the Rail Trail.  It is great?  No, but for a drink and nachos it fits the bill.  http://daddyoshopewell.com

For information about Walkway Over The Hudson, go to: https://www.walkway.org

A great little place to stop once you are over the bridge and want to eat is Mariner's on the Hudson.  It has outdoor seating and you can see it from the bridge.  Its a great place to eat if you want to break up the ride.  Just know that its easy getting down to the restaurant as its downhill to the water, coming back up to the trail will give you quite the workout.  http://www.marinersonhudson.com

There are also picnic tables and benches along the route and you can just bring your own picnic.