Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
Directions
Take Exit 18 from the New York Thruway and turn west on NY 299 [Main Street] through New Paltz until intersecting the rail trail just before the Wallkill River bridge. The Web Map link trail map identifies multiple parking areas along the pathway.
Binnewater Kiln Parking Lot: Travel Route 213 west (through the Town of Rosendale if coming from Route 32) and drive under the trestle. Immediately after the trestle is Binnewater Road, make a right. Travel 1/4 a mile up Binnewater Road to the parking lot on the left. Park and cross the road to access the rail trail and trestle. GPS Coordinates: 41.848312, -74.087826
Bus Directions
Bus service to New Paltz from New York City, Nanuet, Newburgh and Kingston is available via Adirondack Trailways, www.trailwaysny.com (800) 776-7548. Limited weekday bus service to New Paltz from Kingston and Highland is available via Routes R and H of Ulster County Area Transit, www.co.ulster.ny.us/ucat (888) 827-8228. Ulster County Area Transit also offers bus service from the Metro-North station in Poughkeepsie to New Paltz and Rosendale via their Ulster-Poughkeepsie Link.
Park Overview
A 22-mile rail trail offering flat and easy walking, with views of the Shawangunks.
Trail Overview
With rails and ties now gone, the fine cinder trail surface offers flat and easy walking. It rambles through farms and forests, streams and wetlands, and the towns of Gardiner and New Paltz.
The Rail Trail's web page (use Contact Information on this site) lovingly points out that: "The crown jewel of this 22-mile linear park is the famed Rosendale Trestle, with its 940 foot span over the Rondout Creek and soaring 150 feet above the water’s surface. When first constructed in 1872 it was dubbed the iron wonder and was the highest span bridge in the United States. Often referred to as the Walkway over the Rondout, the trestle offers more intimate views than the Wallkway Over The Hudson, yet no less spectacular views of Joppenburgh Mountain, Main Street Rosendale and the Rondout Creek."
- Park at the Binnewater Kiln Parking Lot to access the trestle -- GPS Coordinates: 41.848312, -74.087826
Use the Web Map link on this site for trail maps of its northern and southern sections -- Rosendale Trestle is between miles 15 and 16 on the map.
Park Description
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
Running through the valley at the base of the Shawangunks, mostly within view of its many southeast-facing cliffs, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a multi-use trail, welcoming walkers, hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.