MOSHOLU-PELHAM GREENWAY:

BRONX, NEW YORK

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated:        August 21, 2025                                

Length:                  Mosholu-Pelham Greenway; 10.5 miles

                                City Island Spur; 1.5 miles

                                Orchard Beach Spur; 1.3 miles

Difficulty:              Moderate. Paved trail with some hilly sections.   

Directions:

You can access this trail from the Southern End of the Old Putnam Rail Trail . For more information on accessing the trail from the Metro-North's Botanical Garden Station visit; Metro North Railroad . You may also access several sections of the trail via the NY Subway. For information concerning taking your bike on the Subway visit; NYC SUBWAY; BIKES .

The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway starts from Van Cortlandt Park, then travels South, along the Mosholu Parkway to Bronx Park, NY Botanical Garden & the Bronx Zoo. It then crosses the Bronx River Greenway and travels East, along the Bronx & Pelham Parkway. Access to the Hutchinson River Greenway , which crosses the trail, before you come to Pelham Bay Park.  From here, to the East, you can access City Island via the City Island Road Trail; Southern Side and Orchard Beach via the City Island Road Trail; Northern Side/Park Drive Trail. Heading North, you can access the Northern Section of the Hutchinson River Greenway .  

The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway is part of the EAST COAST GREENWAY , a planned biking & hiking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine South, to Florida. When complete it will traverse 15 states with a mostly off-road path.

Starting from Van Cortlandt Park and the Southern End of the Old Putnam Rail Trail , next to the Van Cortlandt Golf Course Clubhouse [Western End]; From the Old Putnam Rail Trail at the Southern End of Van Cortlandt Lake, head left, East, past the lake and past a granite post with a gold medallion to Van Cortlandt Park access road. Then head left, North, past the Van Cortlandt Golf Course Club House. You'll pick up the paved Mosholu-Pelham Greenway on your left. There are green signs that read "Mosholu-Pelham Bay Bike Path" posted along the trail. You travel along the lake before turning right underneath an on-ramp. This brings you up to the on-ramp where you next travel South, underneath the Major Deegan Expressway. Travel up a descent sized hill. At 0.9 miles continue straight past a side trail on your right. This brings you to Van Cortlandt Park S. Head straight over the cross-walk, then travel left over Dickenson Ave and Mosholu Pkwy via a cross-light. The trail then follows alongside the Pkwy heading South. You'll travel underneath the NYC Subways Mosholu Pkwy Station via a 1910 tunnel. After crossing over Van Cortlandt Ave the trail widens and the Pkwy expands with a grassy medium dividing it. After crossing over Webster Ave at 2.1 miles, look to your left to spot a beautiful old brick building housing the PD. You then pass over the Metro-North rail line before coming to Southern Blvd and the NY Botanical Garden at 2.3 miles. 

Note; You can access the Metro-North's Botanical Garden Station, the NY BOTANICAL GARDEN and the BRONX ZOO by turning right, South, along Southern Blvd.

Turn left, East and follow the trail along the Blvd to a trail junction at 2.4 miles, next to an off-ramp for the Bronx River Pkwy. 

Note; Left is a 0.5 mile access trail to the Bronx River Greenway.

The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway continues straight, crossing over the Bronx River Pkwy and coming to another junction at 2.7 miles.

Note; Heading left. North, the Bronx River Greenway continues.

Turn right, South, using the cross-light (a tough intersection to cross) and travel along the combined Bronx River/Mosholu-Pelham Greenways. After a little over 3 miles you'll pass by Waring Playground. Restrooms and a water fountain are located here. The trail turns East, bringing you to Boston Rd and Bronx & Pelham Pkwy at 3.5 miles.

Note; The Bronx River Greenway continues South, across the Bronx & Pelham Parkway. 

The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway continues East, traveling underneath the rail line. A large expanse of green space is along your left, as well as a green median between the Pkwy. The trail is pretty level until you reach Williamsbridge Rd at 4.3 miles where you begin a gradual descent. When you reach Stillwell Ave, turn right and use the cross-light over the Pkwy, then turn left and cross the bridge over the RR tracks. This brings you to an on-ramp for the Hutchinson River Pkwy at 5.5 miles.

Note; The Southern Section of the Hutchinson River Greenway heads right, South, alongside the Pkwy.

Continue straight, East, alongside the Bronx & Pelham Pkwy and cross a pedestrian bridge over the Hutchinson River Pkwy. Cross a couple more on/off ramps before coming to another trail intersection.

Note; Heading right, South, will bring you to the NY Subway's Pelham Bay Station. This trail then Loops back to the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway. 

Continuing straight, the trail travels across on/off ramps and underneath I-95 where you’ll come to another trail junction at 6 miles.

Note; Right, the Northern Section of the Hutchinson River Greenway heads up a ramp to I-95 and continues North, over the Bronx & Pelham Pkwy.

Continue straight across a wide median and one last road crossing to another Trail intersection at 6.3 miles.

Note; Heading right, South, brings you to Pelham Bay Park and the Bronx Victory Memorial Column, as well as, the NY Subway's Pelham Bay Station. 

Head left, North, passing by the old Bronx-Pelham Landfill along your right before traveling across the Pelham Bay Bridge over the mouth of the Hutchinson River as it flows into the East Chester Bay. A RR bridge crosses along your left. You'll come to the junction of Shore & City Island Roads at 7 miles.

You have several Options from here:

A. City Island; Travel right, East, along the paved City Island Road Trail; Southern Side. This trail winds up through a wooded hill and passes by a cove before coming to City Island Circle. Travel around the circle and past the entrance for Rodman's Neck. Next, the trail narrows as you cross over a bridge to City Island, pass a marina and travel along a promenade. The trail ends after 1.5 miles. You can explore City Island on-road from here. It's about 1.5 miles to the Southern Tip. There are a lot of seafood restaurants located on the island and judging from the amount of backed up traffic trying to enter the island I'm guessing it's a very popular dinner destination.  

Note; If you also wish to check out Orchard Beach, return via the paved City Island Road Trail; Northern Side back to City Island Circle and continue right, North, along the paved Park Drive Trail. The trail turns East, bringing you to Orchard Beach.

B. Orchard Beach; Cross City Island Rd and travel right, East, along the paved City Island Road Trail; Northern Side. Come to Park Dr at 0.7 miles. Cross the road and head left, North, along the paved Park Drive Trail. The trail turns East, bringing you to Orchard Beach after 1.3 miles. Judging from the size of the parking lot (the last time I saw this big of a lot was in Disney World) this must be a very popular beach. A large pavilion and mile long promenade overlooks the beach. For more information visit; ORCHARD BEACH .

C. Hutchinson River Greenway; Continue straight, North, following the paved Shore Road Trail and you'll come to Bartow Circle after 0.4 miles and the Northern Section of the Hutchinson River Greenway .

You have Two Options from Bartow Circle;

1. Continue straight, North, along the Northern Section of the Hutchinson River Greenway, to the end of the trail at Park Lane in Pelham after 1.9 miles.

2. Head left, West, along the paved Hutchinson River Greenway through the Thomas Pell Wildlife Sanctuary, then South, across the Hutchinson River, back to the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway after 2.5 miles.  

HH

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