Biking Ulster County

Ulster County New York is a prime destination for cyclists of all ages, and skill levels. From the Mohonk Preserve Trail Network, to the Lippman Park Trail Network, and the historic Hudson Valley Rail Trails, cycling enthusiasts will find the perfect outdoor cycling adventure to suit their tastes.

Cyclists can take a leisurely bike ride through the historic Hudson Valley Rail Trails to enjoy scenic mountain views and several water features, before stopping to explore the various small towns and villages that dot the trails.

More adventurous cyclists can hit the cross country and mountain biking trails of the Mohonk Preserve and Lippman Park Trail Networks.

Before you head out on your Ulster County cycling adventure it is important to take a bit of time to plan out your trip itinerary.

We have created this quick guide to help you familiarize yourself with the various cycling trail Do’s and Don’ts, and provide you with a reference guide to ensure that you have all of the proper safety and cycling equipment needed to hit the trails.

Cycling Trail Do’s & Don’ts

  • DO use the cycling trails between dawn and dusk only
  • DON’T litter. Remember, if you bring it out on the trail, you must bring it out as well
  • DO respect the private property rights of the property owners bordering the trails
  • DON’T bring firearms or other weapons onto the trails
  • DO keep your dog on a leash, no longer than 6 foot in length, at all times
  • DON’T bring alcoholic beverages onto the trails

What To Bring With You

All of the biking trails included in our list of top Uster County cycling destinations allow cyclists to bring and use their own cycling equipment. That being said, it is imperative that you confirm that you have the proper type of cycling equipment for the trails that you plan to visit.

While the paved pathways of the Hudson Valley Rail Trails can be easily traversed by all sorts of bicycles from touring bikes, to cross country bikes, the more challenging, unpaved trails in the Mohonk Preserve and Lippman Park Trail Networks require the use of a properly equipped cross country bicycle or mountain bike to safely navigate the soft dirt and gravel trails.

If you do not have your own bicycle, or you want to avoid the hassle of traveling with your bicycling equipment you will find plenty of opportunities to rent the proper cycles and equipment through local bicycle equipment providers like New Paltz Biking located in The Village of New Paltz, New York.

Hudson Valley Rail Trails

The Hudson Valley Rail Trails are a series of paved hiking and cycling trails winding through state parks and traversing through many small towns and villages in Ulster county, New York.

The Walkway Over The Hudson State Park is situated atop a historic railway bridge spanning the Hudson River. The park offers ample parking, a visitor center, and public restrooms for use by all trail visitors. Visitors can visit New Paltz Biking located in The Village of New Paltz, New York to rent the bicycles and cycling equipment they need to enjoy their day out on the biking trails.

Access to the Hudson Valley Rail Trails is free and open to all, and leashed pets are welcomed in most areas. The paved pathways can be easily traversed by all types of cyclists with a variety of bicycles.

Hudson Valley Rail Trail

Length: 7 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: Varies
Difficulty: Easy

As the longest segment of the 9-mile long Empire State Trail, the Hudson Valley Rail Trail offers 7-miles of dedicated asphalt paved pathway for the use of cyclists and hikers. Cyclists can access the start of the trail from the Walkway Over The Hudson State Park located in the Town of Lloyd.

Empire State Trail

Length: 2 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate

This 2-mile long stretch of trail connects the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail via a fully paved roadway that takes cyclists through the downtown area of The Village of New Paltz. This trail section makes use of a main thoroughfare therefore it should only be used by experienced cyclists who are comfortable navigating a pathway alongside motorized vehicle traffic.

Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

Length: 21.3 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a 21.3-mile long linear trail open to all non-motorized traffic. Though the trail is largely unpaved, the trail sections are well-maintained and easy to traverse for cyclists with the proper off-road cycling equipment.

Cyclists can enter the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail from various points as it stretches from just south of Gardiner into the Town of Ulster. There are an abundance of parking areas and entry and exit points situated along the trail route and the trail itself is well marked with way signs that help cyclists get their bearings and find their way along the pathway.

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail offers cyclists glimpses of scenic views of mountains, water features, and prairies interspersed with opportunities to relax, dine and shop in the various small towns and villages that the trail passes through.

Lippman Park Trail Network

The Lippman Park Trail Network, located off Route 209 near Wawarsing, New York, includes a total of 26 dirt single track mountain biking and cross-country cycling trails with varying degrees of difficulty. There are several easy to moderate trails suitable for the beginner or intermediate cyclists, as well as a number of challenging black diamond trails for more experienced cyclists looking for a more adventurous experience.

The flowing dirt singletrack trails traverse through wooded terrain and include several man-made features such as wood gaps, jumps, bridges, bermed turns to add a bit of challenge to the fun.

Cyclists will need to have either a mountain bike or cross country bike to safely navigate the flowing dirt trails in the Lippman Park Trail Network.

Access to the Lippman Park Trail Network is free to all, and pets are allowed in most areas of the park.

Tadpole #1

Length: 1.2 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

The Tadpole #1 cycling trail is a 1.2 mile stretch of singletrack trail located in Lippman Park near Wawarsing, New York. This mountain bike trail can be easily traversed in either direction and features a series of gentle inclines and descents with the steepest incline climbing 193 feet and descending 191 feet. Most cyclists are able to traverse the Tadpole #1 Trail in an average of just under 15 minutes.

Paul Bunyan

Length: 3,960 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 9 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

The Paul Bunyan Trail is a 3,960 foot stretch of singletrack mountain biking trail located in Lippman Park near Wawarsing, New York. This trail can be easily traversed in both directions and features a moderately challenging 162 foot climb, along with a 128 foot descent. Most cyclists are able to complete the Paul Bunyan Trail in an average of just under 9 minutes.

Lyon’s Gait

Length: 1 mile
Estimated Time To Complete: 11 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

The Lyon’s Gait Trail is a 1 mile long mountain biking trail in Lippman Park, near Wawarsing, New York. This moderately challenging trail can be traversed in either direction and features a 157 foot climb, coupled with a 198 foot descent. Most capable cyclists are able to complete the entire Lyon’s Gait Trail in an average of a little more than 11 minutes.

Yellow Jacket

Length: 1,378 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 3 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

The Yellow Jacket Trail is a short, 1.378 foot section of single track trail located in Lippman Park, near Wawarsing, New York. This moderately challenging mountain bike trail can be traveled in either direction and features a gentle 58 foot climb and 16 foot descent. Most cyclists are able to easily complete the Yellow Jacket Trail in roughly 3 minutes.

Thunder

Length: 4,376 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 10.5 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

Thunder Trail is a popular 4.376 foot single track trail in Lippman Park, near Wawarsing, New York. This short, moderately challenging mountain biking trail can be used by cyclists traveling in either direction. The trail features a moderately steep 216 foot climb coupled with a 200 foot descent. Most capable cyclists are able to complete Thunder Trail in an average of 10 ½ minutes.

Chupacabra

Length: 4,348 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 7.5 minutes
Difficulty: Challenging

Chupacabra Trail is a 4,348 foot long stretch of single track mountain biking trail in Lippman Park, near Wawarsing, New York. This challenging trail can be traversed in both directions and features a steep 165 foot black diamond climb coupled with a 164 descent. Capable cyclists are generally able to traverse Chupacabra Trail in an average of 7 ½ minutes.

Viper

Length: 1,739 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 9 minutes
Difficulty: Challenging

The Viper Trail is a relatively short 1,739 foot stretch of single track trail in Lippman Park, near Wawarsing, New York. This challenging mountain bike trail is intended for use by experienced mountain bikers only and features a series of wooden gap jumps, as well as a skill feature at the trail’s peak for adventurous mountain bikers who wish to test their cycling prowess. The trail includes a 133 foot black diamond climb, and a 56 foot descent.It takes experienced cyclists an average of just over 9 minutes to traverse Viper Trail.

Mohonk Preserve Trail Network

The Mohonk Preserve located near Kerhonkson, New York features a network of 16 multi-use dirt and gravel trails for cycling and hiking. As all of the cycling trails on the Mohonk Preserve Trail Network are unpaved, cyclists will need to have either a cross-country bike or mountain bike to safely navigate these moderate to challenging trails.

A Mohonk Preserve Membership or Day Pass is required to access all trails in the Mohonk Preserve Trail Network. Pets are welcomed in most areas of the Mohonk Preserve.

Old Minnewaska Road

Length: 4,911 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

The Old Minnewaska Road Trail is a 4,911 foot section of dirt and gravel roadway located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. The multi-use trail is primarily used for cycling downhill and has an overall intermediate to hard physical difficulty rating. The trail can generally be traversed from start to finish in approximately 5 minutes by most cyclists.

Kleinekill Road

Length: 3,041 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Challenging

The Kleinekill Road Trail is a 3,041 foot section of dirt and gravel cycling and hiking trail located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. The trail is used for primarily downhill travel and is rated as physically challenging. On average, experienced cyclists can traverse this section of trail in a little over 2 minutes.

Overcliff Carriage Road

Length: 2.4 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: 14 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

The Overcliff Carriage Road Trail is a 2.4 mile dirt and gravel pathway located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This multi-use trail features a gentle 79 foot elevation change that can be easily traversed in either direction by most cyclists in just over 14 minutes.

Undercliff Carriage Road

Length: 2.3 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: 12 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

The Undercliff Carriage Road trail is a 2.3 mile section of dirt and gravel pathway located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This trail features a gentle 48 foot elevation change that can be easily traversed by most cyclists traveling in either direction in around 12 minutes.

Long Woodland Drive

Length: 3,274 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 3.5 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

The Long Woodland Drive Trail is a 3,274 foot section of dirt and gravel trailway located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This trail is used for primarily downhill travel and features a moderate 43 foot black diamond climb. On average, cyclists are able to complete the Long Woodland Trail in approximately 3 to 3 ½ minutes.

Glory Hill Road

Length: 4,567 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

The Glory Hill Road trail is a 4,467 foot stretch of dirt and gravel trailway located in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This moderate to challenging trail is used for primarily downhill travel and features a relatively steep 259 foot descent. On average, capable cyclists are able to traverse the Glory Hill Road trail in just under 5 minutes.

Laurel Ledge Road

Length: 2 miles
Estimated Time To Complete: 18 minutes
Difficulty: Challenging

The Laurel Ledge Road Trail is a 2 mile dirt and gravel cycling trail in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This challenging trail is generally used for primarily downhill travel and features a steep 344 foot black diamond climb as well as an 81 foot descent. Capable cyclists are able to traverse the Laurel Ledge Road Trail in an average of just over 18 minutes.

Humpty Dumpty Carriage Road

Length: 1,647 feet
Estimated Time To Complete: 4 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate

The Humpty Dumpty Carriage Road Trail is a short 1,647 foot dirt and gravel path in the Mohonk Preserve near Kerhonkson, New York. This multi-use trail is generally used for downhill travel and features a moderately steep 52 foot black diamond climb, along with a 32 foot descent. Most cyclists are able to complete the Humpty Dumpty Carriage Road Trail in an average of just over 4 minutes.

Visit New Paltz Biking in The Village of New Paltz for bicycle rentals and expert help planning your next Ulster County biking adventure. We can’t wait to meet you!