Hike of the Week 02/06/2003

Description:

This hike follows the historic route of the Old Croton Aqueduct, built between 1837 and 1842 to supply water to New York City. Supplanted by two newer aqueducts, the Old Croton Aqueduct was taken out of service in 1965. The level footpath atop the aqueduct tube has for many years been a favorite of walkers, and the aqueduct route became a state park in 1968. Except for occasional posts at road intersections with the letters “OCA,” there are few markings along the route, so you should be careful to follow the directions below.

Begin the hike by proceeding south from Prospect Avenue along the aqueduct route. Before reaching the next intersection, you will notice a chimney-like stone tower with the number “14.” These towers, known as ventilators, were constructed along the aqueduct route about every mile. Their purpose was to keep the water fresh and equalize the pressure along the route.

When you reach the next intersection, White Plains Road, you will have to detour from the aqueduct route, which is interrupted by the New York State Thruway just ahead. This will involve about half a mile of walking along busy streets, but it is the only detour you’ll encounter on the entire hike. Turn right and follow White Plains Road for one block to South Broadway, then turn left and cross the bridge over the Thruway. Continue south along South Broadway past the Tarrytown Hilton and the entrance to the Kraft Foods Technical Center. About 500 feet beyond this entrance, at the top of a rise, there is a break in the stone wall on the right side of the road. Turn right here onto a dirt road blocked off by wooden posts and enter the grounds of Lyndhurst, an American Gothic Revival “castle” built about 1840 and once owned by railroad magnate Jay Gould.

Continue ahead, following the wide dirt road through Lyndhurst. Soon after you leave the Lyndhurst property, you’ll pass stone ventilator #15. The aqueduct route soon begins to follow a high stone wall to the left, then continues across an embankment.

In another half mile or so, you’ll cross several paved roads and enter a quiet residential area. The aqueduct route follows a wide right of way past large, attractive homes. Then, about two miles from the start, you’ll pass through a parking area adjacent to a school and cross Main Street in the village of Irvington. Continue ahead through a municipal parking area and soon pass stone ventilator #16.

Just beyond, you’ll cross a high embankment over Jewells Brook. After crossing two streets, you’ll notice the unusually-shaped Octogon House, built in 1860, to the right. Next, the aqueduct route passes through the Nevis Estate, now the property of Columbia University. The brick mansion with white columns on the right side of the trail was built by Colonel James Hamilton III, son of Alexander Hamilton, in 1835.

After passing stone ventilator #17, you’ll pass through the campus of Mercy College and then cross two more embankments. At the end of the second embankment, bear right and climb to Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry, then bear left and continue ahead through a parking area. The aqueduct route now parallels Main Street in the village of Dobbs Ferry, with views over the Hudson River to the right.

Soon, you’ll reach an interpretive sign which explains the history of the aqueduct. The adjacent green trailer is the park office, and the barn is used to store maintenance equipment. Across Walnut Street is the Overseer’s House, a brick building – now being restored – that formerly served as a residence for aqueduct caretakers. Just beyond, the aqueduct route crosses to the east side of Broadway and follows an embankment through a residential area, with more views over the Hudson River.

In another mile, the aqueduct route crosses back to the west side of Broadway at the Five Corners. Look carefully for the green “OCA” post, which marks the continuation of the route. After crossing another high embankment, you’ll go through a parking area and begin to parallel Aqueduct Lane to the right. Draper Park is to the left, followed by an abandoned quarry.

In the midst of a long, uninterrupted stretch of the aqueduct route, you’ll pass stone ventilator #18. About half a mile later, after crossing another high embankment over a stream, you’ll come to a particularly fine unobstructed view over the Hudson River and the Palisades. After passing the entrance to Lenoir Park and then a stone house to the left, you’ll reach Odell Avenue, which crosses the aqueduct route in the middle of a broad curve in the road.
Turn right and follow Odell Avenue downhill to Warburton Avenue, then descend through the park on steps to reach the Greystone Metro-North station. Northbound trains to Tarrytown leave every hour – 56 minutes past the hour on weekends (for schedules, call 1-800-METRO-INFO). Be sure to sit on the left side of the train to enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson River! The train ride takes only 14 minutes. When you arrive in Tarrytown, proceed to the southern end of the station and follow Franklin Street up the hill. When you reach South Broadway, turn right and proceed for three blocks to Prospect Avenue. Turn left and continue for one block to the parking area where you started the hike.

V3 Last updated: November 20, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.