6-Day Empire State Trail Bike Tour - Discover New York's Beauty

Please meet us at the Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel at 6:30am. The van will depart at 7:15am to transport you and the bikes to Battery Park in NY City. If you didn’t stay at the inn the night before, please check your luggage at the hotel before you leave. You can also meet us at Battery Park in New York City at 8:45am. We will most likely be parked near where Greenwich Street ends at Battery Place. Bring your luggage to that location and be ready to ride. 

You have the opportunity for a leader-led ride by a few of the nearby famous landmarks ... 911 Memorial, Wall Street and more ... before starting your journey north on the renowned Hudson River Greenway recreational path, which travels up the western side of the island. Enjoy views of the bustling commercial activity, pocket parks on the river, as well as the Palisades — dramatic cliffs along the Hudson.

Enjoy lunch at a riverfront restaurant. Then take a route on dedicated bike lanes to bring you to the trails through Van Cortland Park. You soon skirt through suburban areas before stopping in Tarrytown for the evening.

Enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Sheraton Tarrytown Hotel
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 34 miles (55 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

After breakfast, you return to the bike path and travel through Putnam County — home of crystal clear lakes that provide New York City’s water supply. Catch sweeping views of the meandering Croton Reservoir as you pedal across the old North Country Trailway railroad bridge.

For lunch, you have many choices in the lively lake-side town of Mahopac. Your destination for the evening is the quaint little village of Brewster, where you stay at the Comfort Inn.

Enjoy another group dinner at a restaurant near the inn.
Accommodation: Comfort Inn Brewster
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 37 miles (59 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

On this day of primarily rural riding, you pass more lakes, rivers and farms while enjoying newly paved bike path. A trail-side picnic lunch is included. As you explore the southern half of Dutchess County, you also cross the famous Appalachian Trail — the hiking route from Georgia to Maine. Your destination is a quiet suburban area in Poughkeepsie where you enjoy another group dinner.
Accommodation: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Poughkeepsie
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 33 miles (53 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

You get an early start to enjoy longer miles today — or to spend more time in our lovely destination town of Rhinebeck. Highlights of today’s bike path include the Walkway Over the Hudson, a fabulous cycling and pedestrian bridge spanning the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Highland, NY. From there, continue on rail trail to the fun town of New Paltz, where lunch and shopping options abound. More rail trail awaits after lunch, including a chance to cycle over the impressive Rosendale Trestle, a 940-foot bridge that crosses over Rondout Creek “a mere” 150 feet below. Cycling on, cross the Hudson again on the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge Walkway before turning off the Empire State Trail to make your way to Rhinebeck, where you are a guest of the gracious Beekman Arms. The town is fabulous for strolling and is loaded with shops and galleries.

You are on your own for dinner with many fine establishments from which to choose.
Accommodation: Beekman Arms
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 47 miles (75 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

After a hearty breakfast, cycle north, regaining the Empire State Trail as you continue on quiet roads with intermittent sections of bike path and a section of un-paved path. One of the highlights today is passing through Annondale-on-Hudson, home to the attractive campus of Bard College with its Fisher Center Music Hall (2003), its facade an artistic triumph by architect Frank Gehry. Lunch is best had in the village of Germantown. Your destination today is another village that deserves some time to wander — Hudson, NY, a fashion, furniture, and foodie’s delight. Save room for dinner as you enjoy a final group get-together at a fine local restaurant
Accommodation: The Wick
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 30 miles (48 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

Your “home stretch” ride today includes more great cycling north, including some woodland paths as well as lake-side riding near the town of Niverville. Choose a lunch spot near Nassau and Nassau Lake. Afterward, continue on the finish at the Albany- Rensselaer Train Station. Hop a train to NYC or elsewhere if you like. Those heading to the Albany airport can catch a cab or Uber, and those with cars in Tarrytown are shuttled back to the first inn.
Accommodation: Westchester Marriott
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 28 or 38 miles (45 or 61 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier