Take a Photo Tour of the Walkway Over the Hudson

Tour Intro

Let's take a walk from the west end of the Walkway, in Highland, across the Hudson to the east end, in Poughkeepsie. The bridge itself is about a mile and a quarter. The distance between entrances is about a mile and a half. The river itself is about a half mile wide at this point.

To get back, we'll just turn around and cross in the opposite direction. You don't have to walk end-to-end - turn around and head back whenever you like, it's still a great outing.

There is a 'loop' path that recrosses the Hudson via the Mid-Hudson Bridge, but I don't recommend it for the casual walker. More on the loop.

Our companions will be mostly walkers, with some bikers and a few rollerbladers.

Most of the pictures shown here were taken between 9am and 10am, Friday, October 8. This beat the crowds, there are often a lot more people here.

West Entrance

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  Parking.
  The parking situation has been a little rough, but is improving rapidly. There several different parking areas near the entrance. Some are lots, some are roadside. The newest lots are paved and directly on the entrance to the Walkway.

  Others are a few yards away. There aren't any sidewalks here, so you may have to walk along the road to get to the Walkway entrance. However, the traffic is very light and slow, this is not a big concern.

  There are a dozen or so official State Park spots available for a fee, including a few handicap-accessible spaces. All other parking on this side is free.

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  Rail trail - West.
  As you enter, the Walkway goes right, to the east, and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail goes left, west through Highland.
  This is a pleasant walk along a paved trail through mostly wooded territory. There's no spectacular scenery. There is about 3.6 miles of trail. The last mile or so is blocked by some construction, this is due to be finished by December 2010.
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  Food.
  There are some food vendors selling pretzels, elephant ears, burgers, salads, etc. The food is nothing to write home about, but the prices aren't bad - $4 for a hamburger, for example. There are a few picnic tables you can use.
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  Kiosks, etc.
  Take a few minutes to read about the Walkway, it's construction, etc.
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  Rest Rooms.
  These are porta-potties and a more elaborate Clivus Multrum setup. There are no facilities on the Walkway itself, you may want to make sure your kids use these before you start across.
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  Gates.
  The gates on either end are serious - they don't want people climbing over at night.
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  Closing time.
  Closing time is around dusk, a little bit after sunset. You can usually conveniently watch the sun set and then make your way off the Walkway. Rangers will start herding people off a little before closing time.
  There is a sign near the entrance with the day's closing time.

  Opening time is 7am.

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  Utility Vehicles.
  I valiantly resist the urge to call them clown cars.
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  Dog Facilities.
  Poop gloves, poop disposal, and watering stations can be found on both ends of the Walkway.

  Please clean up after your dog. This a necessity given the number of dog owners on the Walkway.

  Note that there are no good dog runs near the entrance.

West Side of the Walkway

Okay, we've left the entrance area and are now on the Walkway proper.

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  General View.
  Looking east across the river at Poughkeepsie.

  The Walkway is 24 feet wide most of the way, with wider sections in the middle and near exch end.

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  Talkway phone tour.
  There is a number you can call with your cell phone to get a voice tour.
  Good idea in principle, pretty underwhelming in practice, as far as I'm concerned.
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  The side rails.
  The side rails provide a very secure enclosure.
  They are 4 feet high, and the rails are 4 inches apart.
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  Fencing. Areas that pass over roads and railroad tracks have higher fencing.
  This is to keep idiots from dropping things from the Walkway. Don't be an idiot.
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  Tracks below. These carry CSX freight trains.
  There are several per day, so you have good chance to see one pass under you.
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  Donation Box.
  There are a few of these along the Walkway. Please give.

Center of the Walkway

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  Breezy.
  It's usually breezy up here. Hang on to your hat.
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  Panoramas.
  We have a separate panorama page that explains in detail what you are looking at.
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  Suicide hotline.
  Why don't they call the suicide hotline a suicide hotline?
  As far as I know, nobody has jumped.
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  Donors. These are for major donors. Become one and impress your friends.
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  Things you won't find.
  There are no benches, restrooms, food, or water once you leave the ends of the Walkway.

East Side of the Walkway

We've crossed the Hudson and are now in, or over, Poughkeepsie.

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  Train station.
  These tracks carry passenger trains.
  For Metro north, this is the north end of the line.
  The Amtrak route continues north to Rhinecliff, Albany, and everywhere else.

  Route 9, the main local highway along the east side of the Hudson, runs along the train station here.

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  Future development.
  This area had the warehouses, lumberyards, etc., that you expect to see along the railroad tracks.
  It's being cleaned up and some new development is proposed but not finalized yet.
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  Residential areas.
  We are now passing over some mixed residential and commercial areas.
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  It's Not Unanimous.
  Not everyone is excited about the Walkway, but this is only place that has gone to this extreme.
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  Stairs to Washington Street.
  This is a shortcut to some restaurants along Washington St.
  There is no ramp here, you have to continue to the end for that.
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  Undeveloped areas.
  Just a short while ago the Walkway was just an abandoned railroad track.
  Not everyone is up to speed with the new situation.
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  Food.
  There are fewer vendors on this side.
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  Picnic tables.
  But there are more picnic tables.

East Entrance

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  Kiosk, Rest rooms. These are the same as are found on the west end.
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  Bike rentals across Parker Ave. Just one example of new businesses springing up to serve visitors to the Walkway Over the Hudson.
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  Parking - East.
  There is some State Park parking for a fee, a nearby private lot for a fee, and more free parking in the area.
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  Abandoned CSX tracks.
  Unlike the west side, the old railroad tracks on the east side have not been converted into a rail trail.

  If some dreams come true, this route will become part of the Dutchess Rail Trail system.

  For now they are abandoned and dangerous.

  Note: This area is mislabeled on Google Earth.