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Hudson River Valley Bike Tour
Trip Overview
The Hudson River Valley of New York was named as one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world by National Geographic Traveler.
The beautiful Hudson River wends its way past small riverside villages, exquisite horse farms, wineries, and apple orchards and then carves a path past spectacular mountains and deep ravines. These are the awe-inspiring views and the gorgeous quiet vistas that inspired artists of the Hudson River School a century ago and the rural paradise that encouraged the Gilded Age millionaires to lavish their fortunes on creating magnificent estates along the banks of the river.
You ride peaceful roads and bike paths enjoying spectacular views, exploring woodlands and farms, and visiting the many small villages that make the area so special. We include visits to historic sites and several of the grandest mansions in the nation, including FDR’s longtime home at Hyde Park. You ride the Dutchess Rail Trail on a bridge high over the Hudson. Enjoy a wine tasting at a marvelous family owned vineyard and a visit to some of the oldest buildings in America that still line Huguenot Street in the college town of New Paltz. Gentle riding takes you through the farmland and horse country that becomes the foothills of the spectacular Shawangunk Mountains. And, as always, we offer the more energetic riders scenic and longer daily options.
As an added bonus, you are treated to a delightful dinner at the famed Culinary Institute of America. You enjoy all this while staying at three wonderful inns. The first two nights we are guests at the luxurious Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, an elegant 75-acre 18th-century Estate located right on the Hudson. The third night at the historic 1850 House inn and tavern, and the last two nights are in the heart of Rhinebeck village in the Beekman Arms/Delamater Inn.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
On Sunday morning, meet at the train station in Poughkeepsie and visit the FDR home in Hyde Park. After a picnic lunch, shuttle to Buttermilk Falls Inn and prepare for your initial ride. After orientation and bike fitting, explore the apple orchards and farms along the Hudson. After the ride, settle into the Inn and explore the grounds. Dinner is together tonight at Henry's at the Farm.
Today’s ride takes you to the Wallkill Rail Trail and along quiet country roads, passing miles and miles of fenced-in horse farms, apple orchards and vineyards. Among this valley’s many attributes, it is the oldest wine producing area in the country, and we treat you to a wine tasting at the local family-owned Robibero Winery. Your ride then leads you along the foothills of Shawangunk Ridge. Also known as “the Gunks,” these 300-foot high cliffs rate as one of the nation’s most popular rock-climbing areas. In fact, the area gets much of its vitality from the hordes of (mostly) youthful rock climbers who come to test their skills here. Arriving in New Paltz, you have time to stop for lunch, with a wide variety of foods to select from. On the way back to our inn you stop at Dubois Farm and perhaps sample their cider or pick some fresh apples, plums or pears to take home with you. Dinner tonight is together at the Culinary Institute of America.
You begin the day with a shuttle across the Hudson to Hopewell Junction. Then set out from a historic train station at the southern end of the Dutchess Rail Trail. Fourteen miles along this trail leads you to the spectacular Walkway over the Hudson. This 1.28-mile bridge soars 212 feet over the Hudson. It is 35 feet wide and provides a very comfortable corridor for both bikes and pedestrians — connecting the Dutchess Rail Trail to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. You continue on this trail to New Paltz for lunch and more exploring — including a visit to the Huguenot Street National Historic Landmark District, a street boasting six fascinating restored houses dating from 1692. You can also explore some of the shops in this quirky college town. After lunch, you take the Wallkill River Rail Trail on to Rosendale, including a visit to the soaring Rosendale Trestle. Today’s three rail trails are three pieces of the growing Empire State Trail that will eventually connect across the entire state. Settling into the 1850 house, you enjoy a beer tasting in their pub and relax on the deck overlooking Roundout Creek. Dinner will be at the 1850 House Tavern.
Today’s ride starts with a short section to Highland Falls, where you see the Delaware and Hudson Canal Museum and intact portions of canal. This canal was one of the most significant and heavily used in the U.S., bringing Pennsylvania coal across the southern Catskills to the Hudson River and the NY market. You follow the canal remnants upstream and then enjoy a loop along the edge of the Catskills. You enjoy a picnic lunch and views of the Ashokan Reservoir. A peaceful ride along this protected reservoir brings you past the Ashokan Center, famed for music camps and musicians, including the song “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Unger, used in the theme for Ken Burns’ Civil War film. You end the ride with a shuttle back across the Hudson to Rhinebeck and the Beekman Arms, considered to be America’s oldest continually operating inn. The inn still retains the original wide plank floors, overhead beams and huge stone hearth that once greeted such luminaries as George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Alexander Hamilton. After settling into your lovely spacious room in the new “Courtyard” addition, you can take a leisurely stroll around the charming village of Rhinebeck — famous for its tree-lined streets, Victorian, Colonial and Greek Revival buildings, boutique stores and gourmet restaurants. An always popular sight is the delightful 1844 Henry Delamater House, a classic example of American Gothic, with exuberant gingerbread woodwork making it seem like something out of an ancient fairy tale. Dinner tonight is on your own in Rhinebeck, with numerous restaurants within walking distance.
After a sumptuous breakfast at the Bread Alone Bakery, you begin by riding westerly along peaceful River Road to the shores of the Hudson and the hamlet of Rhinecliff. You take a loop to explore the campus of Bard College (a sister to Columbia University) whose 600-acre campus is a collection of several former grand estates — and whose centerpiece is Frank Gehry’s acclaimed architectural sensation, the 110,000 square foot Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. From here you follow country roads through the sleepy hamlets of Tivoli, Annandale-on-Hudson and Red Hook. A leisurely lunch in Red Hook is followed by several more miles of peaceful country riding before you loop back into Rhinebeck in time to take in some more sites. You enjoy a farewell dinner together tonight.
Friday morning can be as leisurely or energetic as you wish. You can enjoy an easy pace, taking the chance to start the day off slowly and treating yourself to a leisurely breakfast. Or, if you have more get up and go, our tour guides will lead you on a beautiful morning bike ride through neighboring farm and apple orchard country. All this is perfectly timed for you to get back to your room to shower before we say our goodbyes.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
"2 nights’ lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 lunches, and wine tasting. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included. "
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
"2 nights’ lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 lunches, and wine tasting. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included. "
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
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