August 7, 2024
The NRT portion of Hudson Valley Rail Trail runs from Tony Williams Town Park in Highland, NY to the beginning of Walkway Over the Hudson. It’s paved and takes you 3.6 miles through neighborhood woods, and it offers info signs about the old railroad along with granite benches and a couple of cabooses.
Walkway Over the Hudson picks up where the rail trail ends and is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge at 1.28 miles long. The walker/rider has unobstructed views of the Hudson River and surrounding towns plus, on a clear day, the Catskills (I did not have a clear day). There’s a statue of Sojourner Truth at the western terminus. At both ends there are bathrooms, water fountains, and street food vendors. Along the walkway, one can read about its history, the area’s early explorers, and local birds and fish. The walkway is considered a state historic park, and it’s completely flat and wheelchair accessible. The park offers events on a regular basis; visit walkway dot org for details.
I ambled from the start of the rail trail to the end of the walkway, then I turned and walked back. Roundtrip mileage was just under ten, and I felt okay given my recent back injury. I think I am good to start pushing harder on the miles now. I have a thru-hike coming up, and I need to get in better shape.