Empire State Trail Service

Customize a great day out, starting at $50

2021 Tour Dates: April 10, April 24, May 15, June 5, June 19, July 31, August 28, September 18, October 2, October 16

ALL TOURS ARE OPERATED IN SMALL GROUP FORMAT USING COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED

The Empire State Trail is New York’s newest car-free bike path. When completed, the trail will be a continuous 750-mile car-free route that will span the state from New York City to Canada and Buffalo. It will be the longest state-wide bike path in the nation! Get out and enjoy this beautiful trail on your bike with our Empire Trail Service!

The Empire State Trail has already been completed for its first 100 miles north of New York City, making it an ideal day trip for anyone from the New York Metro Area. The trail was entirely constructed along former railroad lines that once carried passengers and freight throughout the Hudson Valley. Now it’s an amazingly scenic bike path that takes you past beautiful lakes and farms, over breathtaking bridges and through quaint towns bursting with history.

Convenience and peace of mind

Our Empire Trail Service is designed to allow you to enjoy riding this scenic, remote, car-free bike path at your own pace while still having the support, safety and peace of mind that comes with our other tours. We are also an official Metro-North Railroad Getaways partner, which allows us to offer discounted round-trip rail fare from Grand Central Terminal to and from the ride ($20.50). If you are coming from outside of the city, there is free parking and we offer a shuttle ($15 per person with bike) to get you back to your car at the end of the day.

Experiencing the trail

Once on your way you can ride the trail on your own at your own pace, or with one of our guides if you don’t want to ride alone. Since the trail goes through a number of remote areas, we’ll have break stops available with snacks and water as well as a support vehicle where you can store your belongings while you ride, with access to your stuff during break stops. You can pack your own lunch or order a lunch (menu and prices coming soon) and everything is available to you at the break stops.

No matter the pace you ride, or how often you stop for pictures, someone is always available in the general area to help you with any mechanical breakdowns or if you cannot finish the ride.

A variety of options

Our Empire Trail Service is run in different segments allowing you the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of the Empire Trail! (Prices below do not include NYS sales tax).

Main Branch Service

Ride 35 miles across the Hudson Valley beginning in Brewster and ending at the magnificent Walkway-Over-the-Hudson in Poughkeepsie. Our Main Branch Service is the “base tour” we operate on each tour day.

You can easily bring your bike aboard the train to enjoy this ride.  Take the Metro-North Harlem Line train to Brewster and meet us there where we will hook you up with energy bars, snacks and water before sending you on your way. The train you will need to take departs Grand Central at 10:10 a.m., Harlem-125th Street at 10:20 a.m. or Fordham at 10:28 a.m.  (Drivers can park at the Brewster train station). If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one and we will deliver it to you at the ride start and take it away at the ride end.

PRICE: $50 base fare includes break stops and vehicle/guide service. Add discounted rail fare (available in spring) and lunch if desired.  Rental bikes are $75 for the day.

Morning Star Service

Start your ride closer to New York City for a longer ride on the Empire State Trail that joins with our Main Branch Service in the afternoon.  Add between 15 and 50 additional miles of riding in the morning on the southern portion of the Empire State Trail that goes past horse farms, over steep ravines and across beautiful lakes on breathtaking bridges. Perfect for more advanced riders who want to ride a little more. We can help you determine your ideal starting point based on how much you want to ride and  and we can shuttle  you to that starting point if you cannot reach it by train. As with Main Branch service, we’ll have break stops available for you as well as vehicle service.

PRICE: $30 additional fare added to your package. Includes break stops and vehicle service.  Rental bikes are $75 for the day (available for 15-mile segment only).

Sunset Limited Service

Ride into the sunset by adding up to 20 miles beyond the end of our Main Branch Service in Poughkeepsie. Vault over the Hudson River on the Walkway-Over-the-Hudson and continue along the Empire State Trail to New Paltz where you can take in the sun setting over the majestic Shawgunk Ridge. Choose from multiple route options that end at wineries, distilleries or great restaurants. Perfect for more advanced riders who want to ride a little more. We can help you determine your ideal ending point based on how much you want to ride and  and we can shuttle you back to the train (or your car) at the end of the day.

PRICE: $45 additional fare added to your package. Includes break stops, vehicle service and a ride back to the train station in Poughkeepsie.  Rental bikes are $75 for the day.

“Bar Car”

By appointment only – perfect for small groups of up to eight people. Enjoy the Empire State Trail as it goes through the Hudson Valley’s wine country. Up to 5 food and wine stops are available.  Check out our Bar Car page for more details!

Empire Corridor and Adirondack Services

Do the long haul and ride across New York State! Arrange a private tour package for your group between any two points along the Empire Trail. New York to Buffalo or Canada and all points in between. Check our our Private Tours page for more information.

Click here for cancellation policies for all tours.