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This ride journeys along the Putnam Trail through Van Cortlandt Park and connects to the South County Trailway in Westchester County. Both trails run alongside a former railway line—the Old Put—which carried passengers from the Bronx to Brewster in the late nineteenth century. Today, the trails are popular car-free biking and hiking treks. In Van Cortlandt Park, the dirt-track Putnam Trail bumbles over railroad cross-ties, through an oak-hickory forest, past a lake, and alongside wetlands on what is one of the park’s major nature corridors. In Westchester County, the trail is paved and framed by a narrow border of deciduous trees along much of the way. This route is out-and-back, so you can go as far north as you wish before turning back. The car-free ride is a great respite from city cycling.

Start: The West 242nd Street entrance to Van Cortlandt Park, at West 242nd Street and Broadway

Length: 17.1 miles out and back (to Mount Hope)

Approximate riding time: 2.5 hours

Best bike: Mountain or hybrid bike (for the dirt Putnam Trail)

Terrain and trail surface: The 1.3-mile Putnam Trail through Van Cortlandt Park runs along a former railroad bed, now made of dirt and containing protruding railroad cross-ties that make for a bumpy ride. Stay alert along the way. The South County Trailway leading north from Van Cortlandt Park is paved. The terrain is flat.

Traffic and hazards: The trail is entirely car-free, but stay alert for numerous crossroads along the South County Trailway. Come to a complete stop before crossing them. Also, along the Putnam Trail in Van Cortlandt Park, stay alert for remnants of railroad cross-ties and other obstacles (rocks, tree roots) that protrude along the dirt trail. Avoid them.

Things to see: Putnam Trail, South County Trailway, Old Put Stations, Van Cortlandt Park, Van Cortlandt Lake, Tibbetts Brook Park

Maps: New York City Bike Map, North and South County Trailway Bike Map accessible at www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/north-and-south-county-trailways-bike-map

Getting there: By public transportation: Take the 1 subway to the Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street station. Descend from the elevated tracks on the east side of Broadway and enter the park at West 242nd Street. By car: From Midtown take the West Side Highway (NY 9A) north. Take exit 17 toward Dyckman Street and merge onto Riverside Drive. Go 0.2 mile. Veer right along Riverside Drive to turn left onto Broadway. Go north 2.2 miles. Turn left onto Van Cortlandt Park South. Go 0.3 mile. Turn left at Bailey Avenue and proceed to Van Cortlandt Park’s golf course parking area. Start your cycling route at mile 0.3 in the route description below. GPS coordinates: N40 53.380’ / W73 53.881’

THE RIDE

To begin your journey, you’ll access the Putnam Trail in Van Cortlandt Park next to the golf course parking lot, just south of the lake. The former railroad bridge at the lake’s southwest corner marks the beginning of the 1.3-mile dirt trail. Remnants of the old rail line dot the way as you head north alongside Van Cortlandt Lake on your right and Tibbetts Brook and surrounding wetlands on your left. Cycle through an oak-hickory forest and brush up against the Van Cortlandt Golf Course, which opened in 1895 as the country’s first public golf course. You might spot skunks, rabbits, raccoons, and even foxes as you head north on this quiet nature corridor. Along the way, yield to hikers and remain alert for roots, stones, cross-ties, and other protrusions.

The Putnam Trail meets up with the South County Trailway at the north edge of the park. This paved, car-free trail extends 14 miles northward through Westchester County alongside the Old Put with railway signposts sharing local railway lore along the way. Going north, the trail is framed by a narrow border of forest and meanders through a patchwork of commercial and residential zones. Running parallel to the Saw Mill River Parkway, however, the murmur of traffic is never far away.

A nice stop-off spot just north of Van Cortlandt Park is Tibbetts Brook Park, accessible on your right. The 160-acre park contains two artificial lakes, which you can circumnavigate via a path that loops along their perimeter. Go slowly and yield to walkers along the way. The park also holds remnants of the Old Croton Aqueduct, which carried water from the Croton River in Westchester County to Manhattan reservoirs beginning in the first half of the nineteenth century. Sit by the lake, sprawl on the meadow, or simply cycle the park’s circumference before returning to the South County Trailway.

From here, this ride continues north to the former Mount Hope railway station. Given that the route is out-and-back, though, you can turn around at any point (or here). The journey north continues along a fencerow of trees, past suburban homes with manicured yards, and next to commercial strips. The trail takes you past the former railway stations of Dunwoodie, Bryn Mawr Park, Nepperhan, Gray Oaks, and Nepera Park, before reaching Mount Hope, where a small clearing allows for partial access to the Saw Mill River and makes for a good turnaround spot. Take a short break by the trail-side clearing before retracing your route southward back to Van Cortlandt Park.

MILES AND DIRECTIONS

0.0Go east along the greenway into Van Cortlandt Park, in between the ball fields and the picnic area.

0.1When the path forks, veer left, heading under an archway. Continue veering left to hug the edge of the parking lot (on your right).

0.3Veer left of the lake, and cross the former railroad bridge to go north along the Putnam Trail, with the lake on your right.

1.7Continue onto the South County Trailway. Stay alert for crossroads (stop before crossing) and look out for signposts indicating former Old Putnam Railraod stations. (Approximate locations indicated below.)

1.9The Lincoln station sign is here.

3.3Turn right and go downhill to enter Tibbetts Brook Park. Careful; it’s steep! When you’ve finished exploring—or if you bypass the park—return to the South County Trailway to continue north. The Dunwoodie station is marked just ahead.

3.5Cross the Yonkers Avenue Railroad Bridge and follow the trail as it bends right.

4.9The Bryn Mawr Park station sign is here.

6.0After passing the shopping plaza on your right, follow the trail as it bends right and over an overpass. The Nepperhan station sign is here.

6.7 The Gray Oaks station sign is here.

7.4The Nepera Park station sign is here.

8.5The Mount Hope station sign is here. A trail to your right leads down toward the Saw Mill River. It’s one of the few entry points toward the river and makes for a good turnaround spot. Take a break and then turn around to follow South County Trailway back to Van Cortlandt Park.

13.8The entrance to Tibbetts Brook Park is on your left.

15.4 Continue onto the Putnam Trail.

16.7Cross the former railroad bridge and veer right under the overpass up ahead.

17.1 Arrive at your starting point.

RIDE INFORMATION

Restrooms

Start/end: There are restrooms just north of the West 242nd Street entrance to Van Cortlandt Park, accessible from the sidewalk along Broadway.

Mile 3.3/13.8: There are restrooms in Tibbetts Brook Park, located in the park building to your left after you enter the park and descend the hill.