46 Miles, gradual elevation changes. Almost entirely on a bike path. All paved surfaces

Begin your exodus from the big city on a splendid bike path that was built atop a former commuter railroad line. The Empire State Trail takes you all the way to the last stop, but only after you pass through charming villages and hamlets that are nestled amongst farms, forests and the massive reservoirs that supply water to our thirsty metropolis. Have a great picnic lunch at a historic train station. Choose from over 20 overstuffed sandwiches made to your order. Then pedal on to Brewster where you can spend the night just off the trail. 

Brewster lies amidst a series of reservoirs, and the restaurant we will take you to after the ride has a spectacular view and great Mexican food. Or opt out of the dinner and take a cab to a nearby music venue owned by Daryl Hall (from Hall & Oates). Or check out an old-school billiards hall, or play mini-golf at an old-fashioned drive-in restaurant. 

Check out the Walkway-Over-The-Hudson

Choose between 40 and 50 Miles. Gradual elevation changes. Almost entirely on a bike path. All paved surfaces

You may not know about New York’s relationship with the Appalachian Mountains. They cross our region diagonally from southwest to northeast about 50 miles north of the city. While the Appalachian range is dwarfed by the nearby Catskills and Adirondacks, preservation efforts in this region have left it undeveloped. And once again, the Empire State Trail follows a former railroad line that once connected New England to the Hudson River. The elevation changes are gradual, and since you’re far from cars and highways, the sound of nature prevails as you pass through picturesque settings. And yes, you will cross the Appalachian Trail with its famous white blazes. 

Since services along this part of the Empire State Trail are remote, we’ll be offering a trailside brunch featuring bagels, lox, local fruit, yogurt and more. Then you’ll arrive in Poughkeepsie where the trail goes over the spectacular Walkway Over the Hudson. You can stop here or keep riding if you feel like it. We’ll offer a variety of end points for the day where you can be picked up and shuttled to the hotel which is in Poughkeepsie, but not next to the trail. Then after we’ve all settled in, we’ll have another group dinner. For our June and October tours, dinner will be at the famous Culinary Institute of America. Unfortunately they are not open in August, so we’ll take you to a great local restaurant in downtown Poughkeepsie instead. 

Take in another great view as you head across the Rosendale Trestle. Joppenbergh Mountain looms in the distance with its abandoned cement kilns.

Ride length can be customized from 40 to 60 miles. Combination of bike paths & local streets. Some bike paths and roads are unpaved. A few hills.

As we did the night before, we’ll shuttle you back to the trail wherever you left off, or wherever you want to start. No matter what, you have a beautiful day of riding in store as you cruise alongside the Catskill Mountains which dominate the horizon to the west. This is probably the most scenic day of the tour with near-constant vistas of mountains, rivers, farms and historic areas. This is also the only day we do not bring you a lunch since you’ll be going through several towns with many, many choices, including a trailside cafe in the middle of the woods. You’ll also get to ride over another huge railroad bridge, pass through bucolic college campuses, and end in the historic City of Hudson where we’ll stay in a boutique hotel within walking distance of a number of great restaurants.

While scenic splendor is the theme of the day, you’ll also need to be aware that some of the bike paths and roads you will be riding will not be paved. But as long as your tire width is at least 28mm, you will be OK. 

The State Capitol in Albany

39 Miles. Mostly “stone dust” paved bike path with some roads in between. Gradual elevation changes on bike paths with downhill at the end.

Head right out of the hotel and make your way to Albany on another great bike path built atop a former trolley line that used to carry commuters to the state capital. One of the first electric interurban trolleys in the nation, this line had a brief history of operation. But now it carries the Empire State Trail through the commuter suburbs of the capital region. It also follows the pulsing course of scenic streams and waterfalls, whose power was once harnessed for mills, and to provide the electricity for the operation of this important, yet short-lived commuter line. 

After stopping for another trailside lunch, descend into Rensselaer via local streets with views of the Hudson River. Albany looms large across the bridge as you approach Empire State Plaza and its modernist design. Take a spin around its white-marbled plaza while you explore the capital complex. There’s nothing else like it. Then head to the hotel which is in the center of downtown with plenty of restaurants nearby. 

42 miles. Paved and unpaved bike paths and city streets. Gradual elevation changes on bike paths 

It’s the last day of the northbound tour and we end it in Saratoga Springs. “Health, History and Horses” is the official slogan for this beautiful city that has long been associated with its healing waters and spas. You can also enjoy the Saratoga Performing Arts Center or visit several historic sites that date back to the American Revolution. If you are ending here, it’s easy to stay on a couple of more days, then head home via Amtrak or rental car (we offer a reduced rate code from Enterprise). 

The ride goes along the Albany waterfront on a scenic bike path before changing to on-street routes as you pass through the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. Stop and view the flight of locks where the Erie Canal begins. Then explore the unpaved Champlain Canal trail until you reach the final stretch on a paved rail-trail bike path.  We’ll have another picnic trailside lunch set up, with sandwiches from a locally famous deli. Then ride the last few miles through Saratoga Spa State Park and taste the water that flows from its various springs.