Farms and Orchards South

Description: Around New Paltz and Wallkill in the Wallkill River Valley in Ulster County, NY. 35 miles.  Gentle-to-moderate hills (1400 vertical feet). 30 miles for the New Paltz South - Rail Trail (Wallkill - Horse Farm variation), which goes to some of the same places, but on quieter roads, including 9 miles on an unpaved off-road trail.  But it misses out on some nice farms and views, and some fun road sections. 42 miles for Farms and Orchards around New Paltz, taking the East of the Wallkill start variation. Beautiful farms and orchards, with a big horse farm. Sweeping views across the Wallkill Valley, and of the Shawangunk ridge beyond. Lots of gentle miles, and some moderate hills. Total vertical climbing is about 1400 vertical feet.  Several hills over 4% grade, but none over 6%.  Biggest climb is 190 vertical feet at a 3% average grade.  Some high-speed traffic sections, but many quiet roads.  Some of the other roads which are not really quiet are not that wide and or do not have shoulders (like some sections of Ulster County Route 7).  If you are not experienced and comfortable with handling that sort of traffic situation, you should consider choosing a different route. A route that visits some of the same places, but mostly has much less traffic interaction, is New Paltz South - Rail Trail and Roads (Wallkill - Horse Farm variation).