West of the 87
︎ 61.6mi (99km)
︎ 5551’ (1692m)
︎ 5551’ (1692m)
︎ 47% unpaved
︎ 36% singletrack
︎ 36% singletrack
︎ 7/10 difficulty
Cupsaw Brook Trail, Ringwood, in November
Trail Systems
- High Mountain
- Ramapo
- Ringwood
- Sterling
- Harriman
The one that put me down this rabbit hole and started it all. Perhaps the perfect one-day distillation of what to expect of SRHT routes!
The route begins once you alight from the Glen Rock train station and takes you through various trail systems, each getting better flow until you reach Sterling and descend its Hutchinson trail where your elation will override any fatigue you’ve built up by then. Take note of all the lakes and public beaches - come summertime, you might love all those opportunities to take a dip.
Suggested tire size is 2.1”+ and you’ll mostly likely want a hardtail. There will be a few sections where you’ll be rock crawling up and down dry creekbeds but the route is well-travelled enough to be able to spot clean lines. While a bit techy at times, it’s possible to ride this entire route without dismounting. Keep in mind where all the potential resupply points are or come prepared with plenty of snacks - there aren’t that many stores directly on the route and you may need to hop off of it. That said, the shopping plaza in Erskine is a great spot for lunch. Leading up to that is a fast road descent that may have some people white-knuckling. Avoid the rumble strips on the shoulder and take over the lane.
For those wanting to race this route, we’ll be holding a race 9/28, 2024, 8:30a.
The route begins once you alight from the Glen Rock train station and takes you through various trail systems, each getting better flow until you reach Sterling and descend its Hutchinson trail where your elation will override any fatigue you’ve built up by then. Take note of all the lakes and public beaches - come summertime, you might love all those opportunities to take a dip.
Suggested tire size is 2.1”+ and you’ll mostly likely want a hardtail. There will be a few sections where you’ll be rock crawling up and down dry creekbeds but the route is well-travelled enough to be able to spot clean lines. While a bit techy at times, it’s possible to ride this entire route without dismounting. Keep in mind where all the potential resupply points are or come prepared with plenty of snacks - there aren’t that many stores directly on the route and you may need to hop off of it. That said, the shopping plaza in Erskine is a great spot for lunch. Leading up to that is a fast road descent that may have some people white-knuckling. Avoid the rumble strips on the shoulder and take over the lane.
For those wanting to race this route, we’ll be holding a race 9/28, 2024, 8:30a.
Scenes from the trail
Camping options
It is best to reserve ahead of time if considering camping.
-
Beaver Pond campground
-
Camp Glen Gray
- Lake Tiorati (group)
It is best to reserve ahead of time if considering camping.
Transit options
As of late 2022, train service between Port Jervis and Suffern has been suspended. Keep that in mind if bailing from the route early.
- Glen Rock
- Suffern
- Tarrytown
As of late 2022, train service between Port Jervis and Suffern has been suspended. Keep that in mind if bailing from the route early.
Cold Spring Clover
︎ 65.3mi (105km)
︎ 7662’ (2335m)
︎ 7662’ (2335m)
︎ 60% unpaved
︎ 30% singletrack
︎ 30% singletrack
︎ 8/10 difficulty
View of the Hudson from the North Beacon vista, August.
Trail Systems
- Hudson Highlands
- Clarence Fahnestock
- Cold Spring gravel
Nowhere else in the area can you find a sustained 1300’ gravel climb with such a spectacular view of the Hudson River - this ride will certainly start off with a lung-busting bang. Start your day off with a jolt of caffeine from one of the numerous cute cafes in Beacon (my favorite is Big Mouth Coffee). The “stem” of this route could be skipped if you choose to forgo the climb in favor of keeping it purely comprised of Fahnestock trails and classic Cold Spring gravel roads. Bring plenty of snacks - there’s not much along the way after leaving Cold Spring.
This route will take you through all three of the primitive bike corridors of Fahnestock: Schoolhouse, Roaring Brook, and Moneyhole. At times, they may feel like a hiking trail. Long Hill and Miller Hill are two significant paved climbs (the steepest section can hit 19%!) that follow in quick succession after descending out of Schoolhouse.
There are a few water spigots listed on the route but they may be turned off seasonally. Bring enough water or bring a filter as a backup.
This route will take you through all three of the primitive bike corridors of Fahnestock: Schoolhouse, Roaring Brook, and Moneyhole. At times, they may feel like a hiking trail. Long Hill and Miller Hill are two significant paved climbs (the steepest section can hit 19%!) that follow in quick succession after descending out of Schoolhouse.
There are a few water spigots listed on the route but they may be turned off seasonally. Bring enough water or bring a filter as a backup.
Scenes from the trail
Camping options
- Fahnestock
- Fahnestock (group camp, reservation req)
- Castle Rock Unique Area
Transit options
- Beacon
- Cold Spring
- Peekskill
Rotten Apple
︎ 33.5mi (53.9km)
︎ 3655’ (1114m)
︎ 3655’ (1114m)
︎ 65% unpaved
︎ 47% singletrack
︎ 47% singletrack
︎ 9/10 difficulty
Ives Trail, Tarrywile Park in Sept
Trail Systems
- Tarrywile
- Wooster
- Pine
- Hemlock Hills
- Liebowitz-Knapp
- Seth Low Pierrepont
Not your standard Dirty Apple route. Expect a lot of tech on these backcountry trails through Wooster Mountain State Park and Pine Mountain as you loosely follow the Ives Trail. Most of the elevation gain is in the first half. This is the most tech-heavy section of SRHT and most riders will be more comfortable on a full-suspension rig. Expect to take 4-6hrs to clear 17mi. There are no water resupply options once on the trails so either bring enough water or a water filter. Once clearing the singletrack section, you’ll ride on quiet, country gravel roads that are familiar to riders that have taken the Metro North Harlem Line.
This route can be ridden in reverse but, keep in mind, the shuttle train passes through the town of Bethel or Danbury less frequently than the Harlem or Hudson line. If you find yourself exiting late on the reverse route and the trains are too infrequent, head towards the Brewster train station instead.
This route can be ridden in reverse but, keep in mind, the shuttle train passes through the town of Bethel or Danbury less frequently than the Harlem or Hudson line. If you find yourself exiting late on the reverse route and the trains are too infrequent, head towards the Brewster train station instead.
Scenes from the trail
Camping options
- Tarrywile Park (reservation req)
- Salt Hill State Forest
Transit options
- Bethel
- Danbury
- Ridgebury
- Katonah
- Golden’s Bridge
- Brewster
Round Up
︎ 108.1mi (174km)
︎ 10,116’ (3083m)
︎ 10,116’ (3083m)
︎65% unpaved
︎ 59% singletrack
︎ 59% singletrack
︎ 8/10 difficulty
Tilcon Lake Trail, Stephens State Park in January
Trail Systems
- Round Valley
- Nassau/Springside
- Voorhees
- Columbia Rail Trail
- Patriot’s Path
- Stephens
- Allamuchy
- Tamarack
- Weldon Brook
- Dickerson Mine
- Mahlon Dickerson
- Rockaway
- Telemark
- Wildcat
- Jonathan’s Woods
Rewrite what you knew about New Jersey. This point-to-point bikepacking route is quite the treat (if you’re willing to start with an overnighter on a Friday night at a Round Valley campsite. My favorite site is #83W). Your first day could end at either the campground at Voorhees, Stephens State Parks or Mahlon Dickerson after a full day of mostly dirt. The jump track at High Bridge is a fun visit.
Most people would feel comfortable with suspension with knobby tires 2.1” or larger. Most of the trails are purpose-built for mountain bikes although sections like Patriot’s Path or the Highland Trail might require some hike-a-biking. Adjust your expectations and be prepared if you don’t meet hit your intended mileage - singletrack can eat up plenty of hours!
To reiterate, there are only 9mi of gravel. Most of this route is on technical singletrack.
Most people would feel comfortable with suspension with knobby tires 2.1” or larger. Most of the trails are purpose-built for mountain bikes although sections like Patriot’s Path or the Highland Trail might require some hike-a-biking. Adjust your expectations and be prepared if you don’t meet hit your intended mileage - singletrack can eat up plenty of hours!
To reiterate, there are only 9mi of gravel. Most of this route is on technical singletrack.
Scenes from the trail
Camping options
-
Round Lake Recreation Valley
- Voorhees State Park
- Stephen’s State Park
- Mahlon Dickerson
Transit options
- White House (wkday service only)
- Hackettstown (wkday service only)
- Denville
- Dover
Dirt Audax
︎ 126mi (203km)
︎ 6848’ (2087m)
︎ 6848’ (2087m)
︎ 26% unpaved
︎ 1% singletrack
︎ 1% singletrack
︎ 5/10 difficulty
Peekskill
Trail Systems
- Alpine Scout Camp
- Tallman
- Nyack Beach
- Sunken Mine
- Croton Reservoir
- Old Croton Aqueduct
Stitched together by our local bikepacker superstar, Joe Cruz. This route opened my eyes to most of the gravel paths along the Hudson River. A long day in the saddle, this is the classic gravel experience starting and ending in NYC. Ridden clockwise, riders can choose to shorten the route by taking a train back once crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge or hoof it back to the city via the Old Croton Aqueduct. Original trip report/route from Joe can be found here.
Scenes from the trail
Camping options
- Salt Hill
Transit options
- Every train station south of Tarrytown