Farms and Orchards around New Paltz
Description: Circling around New Paltz, NY in the Wallkill River Valley in Ulster County. 49 miles. Gentle-to-moderate hilliness (2100 vertical feet). 42 miles the "East of the Wallkill" start variation shortens the route and eliminates one of the bigger hills. 35 miles, gentle-to-moderate Farms around New Paltz South. Beautiful farms and orchards (as you might guess) and one of the few covered bridges remaining in the Hudson Valley. Sweeping views across the Wallkill Valley, and of the Shawangunk ridge beyond.
Uphill climbs: 2100 vertical feet total climbing. The biggest hill is 240 vertical feet, including 70 feet at a steep grade of over 8%. Two other climbs over 100 vertical feet, but with a grade less than 6%. Some high-speed traffic sections, but many quiet roads.
Directions
By car from South or North: NY Thruway to exit 18 (Poughkeepsie / New Paltz). From the exit, turn Left onto Rt 299 West, which is Main St of the village of New Paltz.
By car from the East: Rt 44 West across the Mid-Hudson Bridge, then Rt 9W North a couple of miles, and take Rt 299 West to New Paltz.
The start of the route is just after Main St (Rt 299) crosses Rt 32 (Chestnut St) at a traffic light -- between the Wallkill River bridge and Rt 32.
Start on Google Maps
Parking: There are lots of options in New Paltz. What usually works for us is to park about three or four blocks from the Wallkill River bridge, somewhere north of Main St. Then ride west on Front St / Lenape Lane and/or south on Huguenot St to reach the starting point.
By train: New Paltz is 11 to 12 miles from the Poughkeepsie train station, with service by Metro-North from New York City, and by Amtrak. For ideas about riding a bicycle from there, see Connecting between Poughkeepsie trains and New Paltz.
Other starting points: Wallkill or Tillson / Rosendale.
Cue sheet
Route on Ride with GPS
Trip Report
October 2000, Ken Roberts:
Greg and Sharon and I rode most of these roads following the "East of the Wallkill River" variation. The roads were mostly in good condition, the scenery beautiful, the company was fun.