Bike rides in New York

Explore 7 rail-trail, greenway and park ride options in New York, with route lengths, surfaces, access notes and starting locations. These are selected recreational outings, not an exhaustive trail inventory. Read each guide’s scope and access cautions before choosing a ride.

7 ride guides · alphabetical order

• Brooklyn Prospect Park: car-free Park Drive loop

  New York

  About 3.35 miles · Loop

  Paved car-free park drive

  Enter from the Grand Army Plaza side, walk to Park Drive, and follow the dedicated bicycle lane counterclockwise around the lake and back to the northern entrance. Follow posted arrows rather than pedestrian shortcuts.

• Central Park — paved Park Drives full loop

  New York City, Manhattan

  About 6.1 miles · Loop

  Paved Park Drives

  Ride a scenic paved loop inside Manhattan’s Central Park, separated from ordinary through traffic. Expect hills and busy shared surroundings; choose a quieter time and ride at a comfortable pace.

• Erie Canalway — Stevens / State public lot: short bicycle return

  Lockport

  Up to 4 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved selected westbound main trail

  Follow the signed main path west on the improved canal-side main trail. Turn after 2 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Harlem Valley — Millerton public access: short bicycle return

  Millerton

  Up to 4 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved main rail trail

  Follow the signed main path south toward Wassaic. Turn after 2 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Onondaga Lake Park — East Shore mile-one return

  Liverpool

  2.0 mi · Out and back

  Paved recreation trail shared with the seasonal tram.

  Start at the Joseph A. Griffin Visitor Center end of Onondaga Lake Park and take a modest ride beside the lake. The turnaround is the East Shore Recreation Trail’s one-mile marking, followed by the same route back. This gives you an easy-to-shorten outing without committing to the park’s longer northern section or an around-the-lake trip.

• Walkway Over the Hudson — Parker Avenue east gate: short bicycle return

  Poughkeepsie

  About 2.56 miles bridge return · Out-and-back

  Improved paved bridge deck

  Walk from the Parker Avenue lot to the east bridge entrance. Ride the main bridge west to its western end, then retrace east. Turn before any barrier or uncomfortable transition. Do not continue onto connecting trails or roads.

• Zim Smith — Shenantaha Creek Park: short bicycle return

  Malta

  Up to 2 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved main multi-use path

  Follow the signed main path south toward Round Lake on the main Zim Smith path. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.