MANHATTAN WATERFRONT GREENWAY:
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: April 18, 2009
Length: Greenway circuit; 32 miles
Difficulty: Easy. The finished off-road greenway is paved and mostly flat.
Difficult. The on-road sections that connect the unfinished greenway are recommended for cyclists experienced in city street riding.
Directions:
Starting from the Harlem 125th St Station ; Take the Metro North train or the NYC Subway's "Green Line" to the Harlem 125th St Station. To connect to the Greenway, you'll need to ride on-road. Not recommended for kids on bikes. To reach the east side of the Manhattan Greenway; Head south to 120th St. Follow 120th St east via a bike lane to a footbridge over FDR Drive and the Greenway along the Harlem River. This is about a 1 mile on-road detour. To reach the northern or western side of the Greenway; Head south to 119th St. Follow 119th St west via a bike lane to St. Nicholas Ave and head right (see directions below). To reach the west side of the Greenway, take 125th St west to St. Clair and then the Greenway.
Starting from Battery Park: Take the NYC Subway's "Red Line" to South Ferry Station. Hop right onto the trail and head either northwest along the Hudson River or northeast along the East River.
For more information visit; Metro North Railroad . If you click on the individual stations, they have available both directions and maps. For information concerning taking your bike on the Train visit; METRO NORTH; BIKES . For more information concerning the NYC Subway visit; NYC SUBWAY . For information concerning taking your bike on the Subway visit; NYC SUBWAY; BIKES .
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a 32-mile route that circumnavigates the island of Manhattan. Wherever possible, it runs along the shoreline and thus reclaims the waterfront for pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, and other users of non-motorized transportation. Most portions of the greenway are off-street paths through parks or other recreational spaces. Greenway-connectors run on-street, where waterfront access is not currently possible. Currently, the west side trail along the Hudson River is the most complete and uninterrupted section, as well as, the lower east side section along the East River. The northern section has a long on-road detour from 125th St up to 155th St. The best section for kids on bikes runs from the Battery northwest through Battery Park City and along the Hudson River. For more information visit; MANHATTAN WATERFRONT GREENWAY .
Starting from the east side Greenway at 120th St; The Greenway along the east side of Manhattan runs alongside the Harlem & East Rivers.
Note; Heading north, the trail currently ends after only a 1/4 mile just below the RFK Bridge. Future plans call for continuing the trail north along the Harlem River.
Heading south, the trail consists of cement pavers and travels between the river and FDR Drive. After only a 1/2 mile, a pedestrian bridge crosses over FDR Drive to Jefferson Park. At a mile, another pedestrian bridge crosses the river over to Randalls Island Park, where you can access more bike trails.
Note; A 4.5 mile waterfront pathway circles the island. For more information visit; RANDALLS ISLAND PARK .
Just past Randalls Island, the Harlem River flows into the East River. The small island in the river is Mill Rock Park. At about 1.9 miles you'll pass through Carl Schurz Park. A nice reprieve from the traffic noise as FDR Drive is diverted underneath the park. A nice promenade overlooks the river, where you'll get a great view of the lighthouse on the northern tip of Roosevelt Island. To your left is the RFK Bridge over to Queens and behind it the Amtrak train bridge. After about 2 1/4 miles you'll come to a set of stairs leading down to a lower level of the Greenway. If your biking, their is a metal rail running along the edge of the stairs made to guide your bike tires down the stairs.
Note; If you don't feel comfortable taking your bike down 3 flights of stairs you can detour around this section by heading out along 81st St and taking a left down East End Ave and the a left back to the Greenway along 78th St.
Just before the Queensboro Bridge, you'll need to detour 2 miles on-road around the unfinished Greenway section that passes in front of the United Nations building. Not recommended for kids on bikes. Head up the ramp past the East River Heliport Park. Keep an eye out for the red Roosevelt Island Tram as it travels alongside the bridge. This brings you out to 63rd and York Street.
Note; A 3.8 mile trail circles Roosevelt Island. You can access the island via the Roosevelt Island Bridge from Queens or from the Roosevelt Island Tram . Head west up 60th St to access both the Queensboro Bridge over to Queens or the Roosevelt Island Tram. See; ROOSEVELT ISLAND GREENWAY and ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAM .
Hang a left along York Street. There are round, green "greenway route" signs all along this detour. From York Street, turn right down 55th St (Bike lane), then left along 2nd Ave. Take another left when you reach 38th St and then a right alongside and underneath FDR Drive. A crosswalk over to the trail is at the end of 34th St. This brings you back to the Greenway at 5 1/2 miles.
Note; To complete this on-road detour coming from the south; Use 36th St to 1st Ave to 54th St. These are one-way streets.
Note; Heading north, the trail currently ends after less then a 1/4 mile.
Continuing south, the Greenway travels underneath FDR Drive. At 5.8 miles the Greenway detours around a building on a bike lane. You'll pass by Stuyvesant Cove Park and come back alongside the East River at 6.4 miles. Good view of UN building. You travel alongside East River Park and pass by 3 pedestrian bridges over FDR Drive before travelling underneath the Williamsburg Bridge and Delancy St footbridge at 7 3/4 miles. Keep an eye out on your left for the quirky "harp seal" statues. After leaving behind the park, the Greenway travels underneath FDR Drive along a bike lane. 8 3/4 miles brings you back along the river with views of the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge behind it. After passing below the Manhattan Bridge, you'll approach the Brooklyn Bridge at 9.3 miles.
Note; I highly recommend a quick side trip up to the Brooklyn Bridge from here. Its about a mile to the first observation platform on top of the bridge (the bike trail travels above the vehicle lanes). Just follow the "Bridge" signs on your right off the Greenway. You can ride over the bridge into Queens if you wish. The bridge is over a mile long.
Continuing south, you pass by Pier 17, then South Street Seaport which can get very congested. For more information visit; SOUTH STREET SEAPORT . You'll pass by the Governors Island Terminal and come to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at 10.4 miles.
Note; The NYC Subways South Ferry Station is located here.
Head around the terminal to Battery Park and the southern tip of Manhattan. From here, the Greenway vastly improves, with no on-road detours until you reach the top of Manhattan. The Greenway travels through the park, which includes the NPS's Castle Clinton N.M.. You can buy tickets here for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry. Visit; CASTLE CLINTON for more information. Restrooms are also located here. After passing through the park you'll come to Battery Pl at 1.4 miles.
Note; You have two options from here. You can cross the street and get right on the "Bikeway Express". That is what I call this part of the Greenway that runs up along the west side of Manhattan, because it reminds me of an expressway. This straight trail has a white line separating the lanes, crosswalks for pedestrians and even red lights (shaped like bikes). Warning! Serious bikers tend to use this trail and cruise at a high speed. Not the best choice for little kids on bikes. The second option and the route we chose takes you along the waterfront through meandering parks. You eventually return to the "Bikeway Express", where you can loop back or continue north.
Turn left along Battery Pl, then left out along the waterfront. This area is called Battery Park City. Great views of the Statue of Liberty. The Museum of Jewish Heritage is situated here. Restrooms are also located here. The trail separates for pedestrians and bikers along part of the Greenway. You'll pass by a ferry terminal at 12.1 miles and return to the "Bikeway Express" after 12.6 miles. Turn right if you wish to return to Battery Park, otherwise head left. Be sure to keep to the right of the trail unless your passing. The Greenway travels between Route 9A along your right and the Hudson River on your left. Much easier access to the city along the west side then the east side. You'll start to encounter pockets of the Hudson River Park along your left at 12.9 miles. The trails in the park are restricted to pedestrians for the most part. When you come opposite 14th St at about 14.4 miles you'll spot part of the High Line, an old elevated rail line that runs 1.5 miles from Gansevoort St to the 30th St Rail Yards. It is currently being converted to a public promenade that will include access systems (stairs and elevators), pathways, plantings, seating, lighting, safety enhancements and other features. The first 1/2 mile segment from Gansevoort St to 20th St opened in June 2009. For more information visit; HIGH LINE . Next you'll pass by Pier 59 and the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex. For more information visit; CHELSEA PIERS . You'll pass by the 30th Street Rail Yards and end of the High Line at 15.3 miles. Another mile takes you past the USS Intrepid Museum. For more information visit; USS INTREPID . At around 16.9 miles the Greenway travels below the Henry Hudson Parkway and past the Dewitt Clinton Park where there is an old locomotive. The Greenway then travels between the river and the Parkway. Riverside Park parallels the trail on your right starting near 72nd St. A short detour away from the river currently starts up by 83rd St where you head up to Riverside Park and head left. The park is actually built over the rail line for Amtrak, which runs underneath you through a tunnel. Listen for the train whistles. At 18.6 miles, look up to your right and spot Grants Tomb. When you come to a playground and restrooms on your right the trail merges. Bear left to a side trail that will take you back down to the Greenway. Again the trail travels between the river and the Parkway. A tunnel over to 104th St at 19.3 miles. You'll come to St Clair at 20.8 miles and West Harlem Piers Park.
Note; From here you can shorten your trip by traveling across Manhattan via St Clair to 125th St and back to the Harlem 125th St Station, a 1.7 mile trek. Only recommended for experienced cyclists as there is no bike lane.
After passing by the park, bear right underneath the Pkwy and rejoin the trail as it heads away from the river. You'll travel alongside the railroad and return along the river at 21.7 miles by Riverside Park. Some great views of the George Washington Bridge. There is parking available in this park off the Pkwy. At 22.7 miles you'll come to a steel fence. Turn right in front of the fence and then left along the trail. The railroad will be along your right and ball fields on your left. The trail then returns alongside the river. At 23 1/4 you'll pass by some restrooms and a pedestrian bridge over to 165th St. A highlight of this section comes as you pass below the GW Bridge at 23 1/2 miles in Fort Washington Park. A stone-dust trail will take you over to the "Little Red Lighthouse" that sits perched on the Hudson River directly below the bridge. It was built in 1921. Across the river in NJ are the cliffs of the Palisades. A steep hill takes you away from the bridge and river. Great views when you level out. Cross a bridge over the railroad tracks and travel through a tunnel and up another hill. This will bring you alongside the Pkwy. After 24 miles pass another pedestrian bridge over to 181st St. Check out the retaining wall across the Pkwy. Looks like a castle wall. On your left you'll pass by a white open pavilion with Greek columns. This was an old pullover for the Pkwy. Great views of the river far below. The trail heads downhill. To your right across the Pkwy is Fort Tyron Park. You'll come to a set of stairs that will bring you down to Riverside Drive. If biking, utilize the edging along the right side of the stairs for your bike tires instead of carrying it down. Head left underneath the Pkwy and you'll come to Staff St at 25.3 miles.
Note; You have 3 options from this point;
You may continue along Riverside Drive to Dyckman St and head right. After about 0.9 miles you'll come to 10th Ave and the start of the Harlem River Drive. Here the paved Greenway picks up again heading south.
You can take a detour to Inwood Hill Park by heading down Staff St to Dyckman St. Turn left and travel underneath the Pkwy to "Dyckman Fields" at Inwood Hill Park. Head right up the paved trail which will split. Taking the right trail brings you alongside the railroad tracks and to a pedestrian bridge over the tracks after a 1/2 mile. Future plans call for a trail to connect to the Henry Hudson Bridge, which crosses over the Harlem River, and its pedestrian path. This will give you access to more trails planned alongside the Hudson River. Taking the left trail brings you alongside the river past the playing fields and picnic tables to an overlook at 0.8 miles of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers where they meet. There is also a railroad bridge that crosses the rivers here.
You can also take a detour to the Broadway Bridge by heading down Staff St to Dyckman St and turning right. Utilize the bike lane. On your left you'll pass by Payson Playground where restrooms are available. Turn left up Seaman Ave, which also has a bike lane and you'll travel along the eastern side of Inwood Hill Park. In the distance is the Henry Hudson Bridge. Hang a right on 218th St, which also has a bike lane and then a left up Broadway to the Broadway Bridge. This is a 1 1/4 mile trip. The Broadway Bridge crosses the Harlem River Ship Canal between Inwood and Marble Hill, includes a Subway Line over the top of the bridge and is a Lift-Stay type bridge. For more information visit; BROADWAY BRIDGE . If you cross over the bridge you can connect to the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway and the Old Putnam Rail Trail located in Van Cortlandt Park via on-road routes. Future plans call for a paved trail connection to a future segment of the Old Putnam Rail Trail. See; MOSHOLU-PELHAM GREENWAY and OLD PUTNAM RAIL TRAIL for more information. To return to the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway head back along Broadway and follow 10th Ave south to the junction of Dyckman St and the Harlem River Drive where the paved trail picks up again after another 1 1/4 miles.
After choosing any of the above options (we combined options II and III) you'll end up along the eastern side of Manhattan and back on the paved Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. For mileage purposes, I'm using the shortest route (option I), thus making the trip count 26.2 miles to this point. Follow the paved trail and you'll come alongside the Harlem River at Sherman Creek Park. This section of the trail starts out tree lined and shaded but soon loses most of its greenery as it travels between the river and Harlem River Drive. You'll travel underneath the Washington Bridge at 27.1 miles, followed by the Alexander Hamilton Bridge and finally the High Bridge. High Bridge was built as a conduit to bring the City water form the Croton Aqueduct. Originally, High Bridge featured massive stone arches (like Roman aqueducts had) for its entire length. The arches survive on the Bronx side, but the steel span was constructed in the 20s to allow navigation on the Harlem River. For more information visit; HIGH BRIDGE and OLD CROTON AQUEDUCT TRAIL . The High Bridge Park and High Bridge Water Tower are up to your right. Future plans call for upgrading and reopening the High Bridge pedestrian bridge. Continuing along the trail, you'll pull away from the river and travel uphill alongside a Pkwy on-ramp. Use caution as you cross over an exit ramp to a sidewalk at mile 28.2. Future plans call for continuing the trail along the Harlem River to 125th St, where we started. Snippets have been completed, however, for now an on-road detour is recommended that utilizes bike lanes. Head right uphill utilizing a bike lane that is separated from the road by cement barriers. This will bring you to 155th St. Use the cross-light on your right to cross over the entrance ramp to Edgecombe Ave.
Note; If you head right up Edgecombe Ave you'll travel alongside High Bridge Park. When you reach Amsterdam Ave, turn right and you'll come to the parks entrance. A new paved path leads to the High Bridge, which you'll be able to cross over in the near future.
Continuing along the on-road detour, use the cross-light over Edgecombe Ave, then head up 155th St. Cross over St Nickolas Ave and turn left. Travel along St Nickolas Ave utilizing a bike lane. After crossing over 141st St you'll travel along St Nicolas Park. Restrooms are available in the park along this section and best of all, no streets cross your path until you reach 128th St. At 124th St, pay attention as St Nickolas Ave bears left, not straight. Turn left when you reach 120th St (119th St if your traveling in the opposite direction) again utilizing the bike lane.
Note; The first street you come to is AC Powell (7th Ave). If you turn right and head south utilizing a bike lane it will bring you to Central Park at 110th St. See; CENTRAL PARK LOOP .
Continuing along 120th St you pass by Marcus Garvey Park. You'll reach Park Ave and the elevated train line at 31.3 miles.
Note; Heading left up Park Ave will bring you to the Metro-North's Harlem 125th St Station.
Continue along 120th St until you come to a footbridge over FDR Drive and the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along the Harlem River after a 32+ mile loop.
HH
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