Experience Ulster County by bike— there's nothing like it! Those looking for rugged pursuits will find the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountain Regions provide both on and off road terrain varied enough to challenge even the most experienced rider. If pretty scenery and a gentler outing is more your style, then enjoy a trek down one of our rail trails, many of which meander through the center our picturesque towns and villages. You can even take your bike from one side of the Hudson River to the other! The weather is perfect for a great bike ride, so get out on our roads and trails and enjoy youself. Download Ulster County non-motorized trails and walking paths map (PDF).
Below are some resources to help you find your way.
Off Road/Mountain Biking
Rail Trails
These trails, created by repurposing former railway beds are used by pedestrian, biking and equestrian recreationalists. Biking is generally at a beginner level, loose gravel, and some hard pack, relatively flat, with some mild inclines. All of the rail trails in Ulster County are free.
Hudson Valley Rail Trail
Hudson Valley Rail Trail Depot, 101 New Paltz Rd., Highland, NY 12528
info@hudsonvalleyrailtrail.com
www.hudsonvalleyrailtrail.net
A 2.5 mile nature trail extending from Commercial Avenue in the Town of Lloyd hamlet of Highland to Riverside Rd.. Uses include walking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Work on linking this trail to New York State’s newest park, Walkway Over the Hudson, a 1.25 mile span across the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County is expected to be complete in October.
Hurley Rail Trail
Rt. 209, Hurley, NY 12443
An easy trail wrapped in the beautiful pastoral landscape of historic Ulster County. The 6 mile (one way) hiking, biking, rail trail connects two quaint 17th century villages: Hurley and High Falls. The well maintained, level path passes through a dense, deciduous woodland, paralleling tranquil farmland and crossing over rivers and streams. Parking is just off Route 209, about 1 mile south of Route 28 and at the intersection of Route 209 and Russell Road.
Town of Shawangunk Rail Trail
14 Central Ave., Wallkill, NY 12589
845 895-2611
A 3-plus mile section of trail with views of the Bordan Estate, and the Shawangunk Mountain Range. The trail provides easy access to the village of Wallkill in the town of Shawangunk, and to the nearby Wallkill River. Handicapped accessible. No bathroom facility.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
P.O. Box 1048, New Paltz, NY 12561
gorailtrail@yahoo.com
www.gorailtrail.org
This 12.2 mile gravel path is used for walking, bicycling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. It extends from New Paltz south to Gardiner and north to the town of Rosendale. Access to the trail is off Plains Rd., Main St., Water St., and Huguenot St. in New Paltz. Also accessible off Main Street (Route 44/55) in Gardiner with nearby places to eat and shop Passes through scenic countryside, historic Huguenot St. and downtown New Paltz.
Single Track
Technical expert terrain for experienced bikers that includes negotiating rock piles, streams, and logs located in remote areas.
Belleayre Mountain - Highmount, NY
All ski trails may be used for biking in the Upper, Lower and Cross Country areas. There is no charge for the use of the trails; however, the trails can only be accessed by biking. The chairlift is not equipped to carry mountain bikes at this time.
Directions: NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 19 - Kingston, NY then Rt. 28 West to Highmount (approximately 2.5 hrs from NYC).
Jockey Hill - Kingston, NY
The majority of trails at Jockey Hill are single track, varying in difficulty from fairly flat cruises over rocks & roots, to super-technical trails running along sloped hills with logs, roots, water, mud and trees closer than a handlebar's width to negotiate. This is a place for intermediate to advance riders. While beginners might be able to handle a few trails here, the majority of the trails require some confidence and technical skill.
Directions: From the NYS Thruway exit 19, take Rt. 28 West. Get off at the exit for Rt. 209 North. Get off at the first exit onto Sawkill Road. Take a left at the bottom of the ramp and follow Sawkill Road approx. 3 miles to Jockey Hill Road. Turn left and follow that to the end of the road and park in the cul-de-sac. (Note: Google Maps show Jockey Hill Road connected to Rt. 28; this is not accessible by car). www.bicycleface.com/jockeyhill2.htm
Kenneth Wilson State Park - Mount Tremper, NY
The site of Overlook Mountain Bike's Woodstock All-Terrain Challenge, which describes the terrain as "A lovely loop consisting of short power climbs, swift descents, and fast winding single track." After parking in main lot, continue on road past large field on left. Bear left at top of hill and drop down into trails on left side. If you don't mind getting wet, cross the stream and ride the Bump & Grind trails. More riding is available on the nature trail on the opposite side of the main lot over a small wooden bridge. Alternate parking is available approximately one mile east of the park entrance on Wittenberg Road. Look for small gravel pull off on both sides of road. Trail can be accessed from south side of the road which can come out at wooden bridge next to main lot.
Directions: From the north: Take thruway exit 20 (Saugerties/Woodstock exit). Make left out of toll booth onto Route 32. Go 500 ft. until stop light and make right onto Route 212. Follow Route 212 through Woodstock. Go straight onto County Route 45. Follow Route 45 for four miles. Kenneth Wilson State Park will be on your left hand side.
Directions: From the south: Take thruway 19 (Kingston exit) to Route 28 West. Take 28 and make right onto Route 375 towards Woodstock. When 375 comes to a T, you will make a left onto Route 212. Follow above directions from 212 on.
Onteora Lake - Kingston, NY
About a dozen miles of superb single-track. Rocky shark fins of slate. Lots of crags and pine. Scenic lake. Some power climbs but not much elevation change.
Directions: From the NYS Thruway exit 19 take Rt. 28 West for approx. 4 miles. Turn right into the parking lot when you see the trailhead. (If you pass the Hobo Deli, you have gone too far). This is the outer parking lot; there is additional parking approx. half a mile down the dirt road.
Lundy Estate - Kerhonkson, NY
Once a private estate, the 5,400-acre Catskill property (comprised of nearly one hundred separate land parcels) was previously owned by New York City restaurateur Frederick I. Lundy. Lundy’s Restaurant attracted generations of hungry diners to the sprawling 2,800-seat seafood emporium in Brooklyn from 1934 to 1979. His upstate property is now part of the Sundown Wild Forest Preserve.
A mixture of deciduous and conifer forest tossed in with some old fields makes up the Lundy trail system. Both the Vernooy Kill and the West branch of the Vernooy Kill intersect the trail system in multiple places.
The trails consist of old double track and some new single track. Lots of rocks, roots and stream crossings make it challenging but mostly ride-able. Expect some long technical climbs, rolling single track and beautiful cruising alongside babbling brooks. The Lundy Estate is remote wilderness, so be prepared to be self-sufficient on your ride and consider riding with a friend. Cell phone signals are intermittent at best. By using the different access points you can tailor a ride to meet your needs. The Lundy Road parking area provides access to a shorter less technical ride. Use the Cutler Road parking area for access to the entire trail system. A good 3 to 4 hour ride is easily possible.
Directions: Lundy DEC gate at Cutler Road (From Kingston): Take 209 South to 55 West (towards Grahamsville) go 2 miles and turn right on Cutler Rd. (Shady Acres trailer park). Follow Cutler Rd. down to the bottom of the hill to the DEC gate for parking. (Please note that Cutler Rd. becomes quite rough on the way down the hill. If you have a vehicle with low ground clearance, go slow or park on the left side of the road at the top hill.)
Directions: To Lundy Rd Entrance (From Kingston): Take 209 South to Lundy Rd. (across from B&K Tile in Naponoch, just before the Wawarsing Post Office). Make a right. You can park at 2 locations: 3.9 or 4.0 miles up Lundy Rd. Both are on the left side. The parking area at 3.9 miles has room for a number of cars and the 4.0 mile has room for 2 vehicles. (If you get to the gate and bridge crossing for the private Estate House, you've gone a little too far). To enter the trail system you have to cross the Vernooy Kill at the 4.0 mile parking area. There is a large deadfall lying in the stream which you walk over and the trails start there.
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX, as it is commonly known, is a cycling sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles. When these local courses aren’t in use by a club or competition, the public can use them for riding.
BMX Track
Clearwater Road, P.O. Box 550
New Paltz, NY 12561
845-255-3631
www.newpaltzbmx.org/
Obstacles, jumps and dirt track.
Kingston BMX - Kingston Point Park
4 Delaware Ave Kingston, NY 12401
845- 339-0618
Kingston Point BMX is one of the oldest BMX facilities in the Northeast. This National Bicycle League Sanctioned Track received a complete rebuild in the spring of 2008 and is challenging, fun and safe for riders of all ages and skill levels. The turns are wide and fast which is conducive to great racing action with numerous areas for passing.
Resources For Cyclists
Bike Shops
Favatas Table Rock Tours & Bicycles
386 Main Street, PO Box 228
Rosendale, NY 12472
845 658-7832
Bike Sales, Repairs, Rentals & Guide Svc.
Hours: Mon. & Wed. 11am-6pm, Thurs. & Fri. 11am-7pm, Sat. 11am-5pm, Sun. 12pm-5pm, closed Tues.
Accord Bicycle Service
5770 Rt. 209
Kerhonkson, NY 12446
845 626-7214
Bike Sales, Repairs & Rentals
Hours: Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 1pm-7pm, Fri. 12:30pm-5:30pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, closed Sun. & Mon.
Bicycle Depot
15 Main Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
845 255-3859
Bike Sales, Repairs & Rentals
Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat. 10am-6pm, Thurs. 11am-7pm, Sun. 10am-5pm, closed Tues.
Bicycle Rack
13 North Front Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
845 255-1770
Bike Sales & Repairs
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9am-5pm, Thurs. 9am-7pm, closed Sun. & Mon.
Kingston Cyclery
1094 Morton Boulevard
Kingston, NY 12401
845 382-2453
Bike Sales & Repairs
Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, closed Sun. & Mon.
Bike Brothers
139 Boices Lane
Kingston, NY 12401 845
336-5581
Bike Sales & Repairs
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm, closed Sun.
Sports Authority
1165 Ulster Ave. (Retail Plaza)
Kingston, NY 12401
845 336-0630
Bike Sales & Repairs
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 10am-9pm
Bikes To Borrow
Bikes That Heal
New Paltz, NY
845 464-4325
Bike That Heal is a free, bicycle-loan program in the village of New Paltz. To borrow bikes go to one of the following locations where you sign up and get key: Village Pizza, Rt. 32, My Town (Store), Main St., or G. Steve Jordan Gallery, Water St. Market. Donations are accepted and 100% of all donations go to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Bike rental sites are located at P&G’s parking lot, North Front St.; Gilded Otter, Main St.; and Wrapsody Grill, North Chestnut St.
www.bikesthatheal.org
Road Bike Clubs
Cycle Club Kingston
Offers cyclists a venue for weekly group rides in Ulster & Northern Dutchess counties. We are riders at various levels who ride at least 50 miles weekly or 1500 miles per season during the outdoor season (Mid-March-October). Our aim is to offer a forum where cyclists can find the support and information they need to accomplish their specific riding goals. View home page for local outdoor rides
www.cycleclubkingston.com/
Mountain Bike Clubs
The Fats in the Cats Bicycle Club
The club is a fun bunch of Hudson Valley cyclists that look for ways to foster cycling and community. The club organizes group rides and performs trail maintenance as well as giving back to the community through our Gifts for the Holidays program and being advocates for bicycling. The website is a treasure trove of information for local off road biking!
www.fatsinthecats.com/
Group Rides
Mountain Bikes
Fats in the Cats runs regular group rides around Ulster County and surrounding areas. Contact group for more info.
Road Rides
Group rides go out from Bike Depot in New Paltz on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. Call 845 255-3859 for more info.
Other Resources
A website with information about Road bicycling in Ulster County: www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/p/ulster_county/index.htm
Map of New Paltz Bike routes: www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/r/p/w/u/np_wv/map/index.htm