WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON:
HIGHLAND-POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK
Marcus J. Molinaro NORTHSIDE LINE:
WALKWAY LOOP TRAIL:
POUGHKEEPSIE WATERFRONT TRAILS:
POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 24, 2025
Length: Walkway Over The Hudson; 1.5 miles
Walkway Waterfront Trail; 1.3 miles
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Northern Section; 0.9 miles (0.5 miles complete with a gap)
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section; 0.6 miles
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Southern Section; 0.5 miles
Northside Line; 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Walkway Over The Hudson; Easy. Flat, paved railroad bridge.
Walkway Waterfront Trail; Moderate. Steep hill along on-road route.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront Trails; Easy. Flat, paved trails.
Northside Line; Easy. Mostly flat, wide paved rail trail, with one hill.
Directions:
Starting from Poughkeepsie for the Dutchess Rail Trail & Walkway Waterfront Trail [Northern End] , Walkway Over the Hudson [Eastern End] & Northside Line [Southern End]; From Route 9 take the Routes 55 & 44 exit east. Travel about 1.5 miles and turn left on Worrall Ave (Route 115) Continue along Route 115 for about 1.5 miles and turn left on Salt Point Turnpike. Follow to the intersection of Smith St and Creek Rd. Take a sharp right on Creek Rd and turn left into the Morgan Lake Park parking lot. You can also park at the Walkway Over the Hudson parking lot. There is a parking fee for up to 4 hours, however, next to the pay parking lot is dirt parking lot with free parking.
Starting from Highland for the Walkway Over the Hudson [Western End]; From I-87 (NY State Thruway) take exit 18 to Route 299 east. Head south on Route 9W through Highland. Just before the turn off for the Mid-Hudson Bridge turn left down Haviland Rd. The first parking lot on your left is for the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. The next parking lot on the left leads to the walkway. Parking is also available along the road or in a parking lot down to the right.
The Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line has a stop in Poughkeepsie. For more information visit; Metro North Railroad . If you click on the individual stations, they have available both directions and maps.
The Dutchess Rail Trail was built on the old rail bed that was once part of the Maybrook Line. The double track line opened for service in 1892 and functioned as a passenger and freight line until well into the 1900’s. The Maybrook Line provided the only train crossing of the Hudson River between New York City and just South, of Albany and was an important railroad link for Connecticut and the rest of the Northeast. In 1974, its regular use was terminated after a fire on the Poughkeepsie Railroad-Highland Bridge interrupted the line’s continuity. This bridge, at 6,768 feet long and 212 feet above the river, was hailed as the longest railroad bridge in the world when it was completed in 1888. The Dutchess Rail Trail starts from Hopewell Junction, continuing from the Northern End of the Maybrook Trailway and travels Northwest, to Poughkeepsie, where it connects to the Walkway Over the Hudson. This pedestrian bridge is now the longest in the world and takes you West, over the Hudson River to Highland. You can then continue Northwest, along the Hudson Valley Rail Trail , to New Paltz, where you can access the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail . In Poughkeepsie, from the Walkway Over the Hudson & Dutchess Rail Trail, you can follow the Walkway Waterfront Trail, West, down to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront, where you can access the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Trails. From the Walkway Over the Hudson & Dutchess Rail Trail, you can also connect to the Marcus J. Molinaro Northside Line, which utilizes the former CSX rail corridor. Constructed in 1873, the corridor was built as a link between East-West and North-South rail lines, as well as a means of delivering coal to power the newly-completed Hudson River State Hospital. Shaped like a wishbone, the trail system has Eastern and Western Spurs, with on-road connections. For more information visit; DUTCHESS RAIL TRAIL , WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON & NORTHSIDE LINE .
The Dutchess Rail Trail & Walkway Over the Hudson are part of the Empire State Trail , which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North, to Canada and Buffalo East, to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation.
Walkway Over The Hudson:
Starting from the Northern End of the Dutchess Rail Trail; The Walkway Over the Hudson parking lot is located here, along with a Map Board and HUDSON VALLEY BIKE SHARE .
Note; From here you can access the Walkway Loop Trail, which will take you West, down to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront, where you can access the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Trails. See Below.
Note; From here you can also access the Northside Line, which currently travels North, underneath the Walkway Over the Hudson, by traveling East, along the Dutchess Rail Trail, to a Spur Trail on your left. See Below.
Traveling West, along the tree lined Walkway Over The Hudson, you'll pass by the Walkway East Pavilion. Picnic tables & gift shop. During weekends this area contains food trucks. The trail then takes you high above Poughkeepsie, crossing over Washington St. When you come to the banks of the Hudson River below, you'll find an elevator on your left at 0.8 miles.
Note; This elevator brings you down to the Upper Landing Park where you can access the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section. See Below.
Great views of the city, RR and river park. Informational signs are dispersed all along the walkway. Great unimpeded views of the river, Mid-Hudson Bridge and cliffs of Highland. After crossing over the Hudson River, you cross over an active RR line below as you enter the Highland side at 1.2 miles. You then come to the Walkway West Pavilion and Walkway West Visitor Center, where you'll find restrooms, food vendors, water fountain, picnic tables, informational & Map Boards. You travel underneath a "Hudson Valley Rail Trail" sign, where the Hudson Valley Rail Trail begins after 1.5 miles. Just past here you'll find the HVRT parking lot. An old red 1926 red caboose and Map Board are located here.
Walkway Waterfront Trail:
The Walkway Waterfront Trail will take you West, down to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront. The Poughkeepsie Waterfront consists of 3 Sections:
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Northern Section is North, of the Walkway Over the Hudson and consists of the Dutchess Landing Trail & Longview Park Trail, between which are located the Hudson River Rowing Association and Marist & Cornell Boathouses. These 2 trails are not currently connected.
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section is South, of the Walkway Over the Hudson and is not connected to the Northern Waterfront because of industrial land. This section consists of the Upper Landing Park Trail, which contains an elevator that takes you up to the Walkway Over the Hudson. This trail then connects South, to the Waryas Park Promenade.
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Southern Section is South, of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and is not connected to the Central Waterfront because of Kaal Rock. Plans are to build a cantilever bridge around this natural feature. See; KAAL ROCK PARK PLANS . This section consists of the Kaal Rock Park Promenade & Shadows Maria Promenade.
Head left, South, through the Lower parking lot out to Parker Ave. Turn right and travel, West, on-road (narrow sidewalk) down to Washington St. There are several street options, but I followed the suggested route (shown on Map) by turning left, South, on Washington St to a stoplight over to Verazzano Blvd (Caution; no crosswalk/light. Cross on red light). Signs mark the route. Travel West, on-road, down Verazzano Blvd alongside Fall Kill to Mt Carmel Pl and turn right, North (wide sidewalk available). Bear left on Dutchess Ave and travel underneath the Walkway Over the Hudson to Albany St. Head right (residential road) to Hoffman St and turn left, West. Cross over Route 9 and the RR tracks to N Water St. Turn left, South, along a brick lined sidewalk and come to *Dutchess Ave on your right at 1.1 miles.
Note; If you travel West, on-road, down Dutchess Ave, it will bring you to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Northern Section and the Dutchess Landing Trail after 1.2 miles. See Below.
Continue South, along N Water St, traveling back underneath the Walkway Over the Hudson. You'll come to the entrance to **Upper Landing Park on your right after 1.3 miles.
Note; Be sure to check out Fall Kill straight ahead where it travels underneath N Water St. Look left to spot a small waterfall and informational sign. Beautiful old brick buildings here.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront:
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Northern Section:
Starting from N Water Street/*Dutchess Ave & the Walkway Waterfront Trail [Northern End]; Travel West, on-road, down Dutchess Ave to the start of the Dutchess Landing Trail.
Note; Industrial land, South, underneath the Walkway Over the Hudson, blocks access to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section.
The wide, paved Dutchess Landing Trail travels North, alongside the Hudson River, before ending after 0.25 miles. Continuing North, the trail is undeveloped. I believe you can continue along the grass, as there are wooden markers reading "Hudson River Greenway Trail". Heading inland, you'll pass by the Hudson River Rowing Association building and dock, utilizing a gravel/paved road. This brings you to the Marist & Cornell Boathouses, where a cement trail continues North, along the Hudson River, along the Longview Park Trail (0.25 miles long). Above, on your right, spot a gazebo. Pass by a pier and come to the end of the trail at Waterworks Rd after 0.9 miles.
Note; Waterworks Rd continues straight, East, through the tunnel to Marist College.
If you travel right, South, up Waterworks Rd it will bring you to the gazebo, with benches and nice views of the Hudson River. Waterworks Rd will then bring you back down to the Marist & Cornell Boathouses.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section:
Starting from N Water Street/**Upper Landing Park & the Walkway Waterfront Trail [Northern End]; Enter Upper Landing Park, past the brick columns. Here the paved Upper Landing Park Trail travels West, through this small park. Informational signs. Pass by a ***Bridge over Fall Kill on your left.
Note; This leads to the Waryas Park Promenade. See Below.
The trail travels out the Hudson River, then North, around to a brick circle. Come to a gate, where a trail leads to an elevator that takes you up to the Walkway Over the Hudson, after 0.2 miles. The waterfront is blocked by industrial land to the North, thus blocking access to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Northern Section. Return to the ***Bridge and cross Fall Kill to a cement trail.
Note; Straight is the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum.
Turn right, East and follow the narrow trail alongside Fall Kill and past the Children's Museum Pavilion to the Hudson River. Here you can head left, South, along the cement, Waryas Park Promenade. Travel alongside the river through Waryas Park, passing by a skateboard park, picnic tables, informational signs and a parking lot. Next you'll pass by a restaurant, dock and pavilion before coming to a playground.
Note; Just past the pavilion is a trail leading up to Main St, where you can access the Metro-North's Poughkeepsie Station.
Just past the playground, the trail ends after 0.6 miles at a dock overlooking Kaal Rock and the Mid-Hudson Bridge.
Note; Future plans call for continuing the trail South, via a cantilever bridge, around Kaal Rock. See; KAAL ROCK PARK PLANS . This will connect to Kaal Rock Park and the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Southern Section.
Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Southern Section:
Starting from Kaal Rock Park [Northern End]; Picnic table located here.
Note; Future plans call for continuing the trail North, via a cantilever bridge, around Kaal Rock. See; KAAL ROCK PARK PLANS . This will connect to Waryas Park and the Poughkeepsie Waterfront; Central Section.
The very narrow, paved Kaal Rock Park Promenade travels South, alongside the Hudson River, traveling underneath the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Travel below the Kaal Rock Park parking lot, past a picnic area, where the trail widens at 0.2 miles. This takes you between the river and a hill on your left. Continue along the wide, cement Shadows Maria Promenade. Pass by the Shadows Marina, where the trail ends after 0.5 miles.
Northside Line:
Starting from Parker Ave [Southern End]; Map Board.
Note; Across Parker Ave, Phase 3 will extend the trail South, along the old rail bed, to North Hamilton St.
The wide, paved Northside Line travels North, along the old rail bed. Separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians. On your left is an old RR siding for the old brick building. Travel underneath the Walkway Over the Hudson, where you'll find 2 Spur Trails.
Note; The Spur Trail on your right will take you up to the Dutchess Rail Trail heading East, while the Spur Trail on your left will take you up to the Dutchess Rail Trail heading West, where it connects to the Walkway Over the Hudson.
Continuing along an open, industrial corridor before crossing W Cedar St at 0.5 miles. Map Board. Housing corridor. Come to Fulton St at 0.8 miles.
Note; Phase 2 will extend the trail South, to Kittredge Pl, where you'll be able to connect to the Walkway Waterfront Trail & the Poughkeepsie Waterfront, utilizing an old rail bed.
Here the trail travels down a slight hill and currently ends after 1.1 miles. Map Board & BIKE STATION.
Note; Left will bring you to the Hudson Heritage Plaza.
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CLICK HERE FOR NORTHSIDE LINE MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON MAP
CLICK HERE FOR POUGHKEEPSIE WATERFRONT NORTH MAP
CLICK HERE FOR POUGHKEEPSIE WATERFRONT NORTH MAP
CLICK HERE FOR EMPIRE STATE TRAIL MAP
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT