PUTNAM COUNTY TRAILWAY:

PUTNAM COUNTY, NEW YORK

NORTH COUNTY TRAILWAY:

SOUTH COUNTY TRAILWAY:

TARRYTOWN LAKES SPUR TRAIL:

ANDRE BROOK TRAIL:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK

OLD PUTNAM RAIL TRAIL:

BRONX, NEW YORK 

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The Putnam County Trailway, North & South County Trailways and Old Putnam Rail Trail are 4 interconnected rail-trails on the former New York Central Railroad's Putnam Division line. This former railroad provided freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958 between Bronx and Putnam CountyStarting from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, the Old Putnam Rail Trail travels North to the South County Trailway in Westchester County. When you cross the Saw Mill River Pkwy, the trail becomes the North County Trailway and continues North to Putnam County, where it becomes the Putnam County Trailway. The Putnam County Trailway eventually turns Southeast, to the Brewster rail yards. Construction is planned for Spring 2025, to build a bridge the over rail yards and connect to the Maybrook Trailway in Brewster. The Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail travels West from the junction of the North & South County Trailways

Putnam County Trailway:

Letterbox Planted: May 27, 2007

Last Updated:          November 30, 2024

Length:                    Putnam County Trailway; 11.4  miles

Difficulty:               Moderate. Paved surface along an old rail trail, however, some grades may be tough for kids on bikes. 

Directions:

To start from Carmel or Brewster [Northern End]; Take exit 65 off of I-84 to Route 312 west. Follow to Route 6.

To start from Route 118 & Baldwin Place Station [Southern End]; Take exit 65 off of I-84 to Route 312 west. Turn right when you reach Route 6. Take Route 6 west into Carmel. At the junction of Routes 6 & 52, turn left onto Route 6 as it travels alongside Lake Gleneida. Follow Route 6 southwest until you come to Route 118 in Baldwin Place. Turn left onto Route 118 and you'll see where the trail crosses the road and becomes the North County Trailway as it travels South. Parking is available at the Baldwin Place Shopping Center between Routes 6 and 118.

The Putnam County Trailway is part of the Empire State Trail , which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North to Canada and Buffalo East to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation. To the South it connects to the North County Trailway and to the North you continue along the Maybrook Trailway .

Starting from the Route 6 parking lot in Brewster [Northern End]; The Putnam County Trailway is paved and includes green Mileage Markers all along the route. The top number is the distance from the start of the old Railroad Line in New York City, while the bottom number is used as a Mile Marker

Heading South; Left, the Putnam County Trailway travels over Route 6 on an old RR trestle bridge before starting a slight climb through the woods. Levels off after about 0.7 miles. Cross Putnam Ave and the trail turns East. The trail currently ends at Putnam Ave after 1.4 miles

Note; The next phase will continue the trail East, over the RR tracks, to N Main St, where it will connect to the Maybrook Trailway in Brewster. Construction is planned to start Spring 2025. See; Map Below.

Putnam Bikeway over Metro-North Railroad

Heading West; Right, the Putnam County Trailway crosses Old Mine Rd before traveling along a causeway between the Middle Branch Reservoir and over an old RR bridge. You head into the woods and travel through a tunnel underneath Hughson Rd at 0.9 miles followed by another tunnel underneath Route 6. You start up a long gradual hill at 1.4 miles, then after heading downhill briefly, you continue the climb up. A Spur Trail on your left leads to the Route 6 parking lot 1 along Route 6 at 2 miles. Cross into Carmel, where a bridge takes you over Route 6, where you continue uphill and finally top out at 2.3 miles. After traveling through another tunnel under Seminary Hill Rd a spur trail right leads up to this road. The trail then travels South, down alongside Route 6, across from Lake Gleneida. After 2.9 miles you come to the Route 6 parking lot 2. The trail now veers away from the road and passes through a small rock cut. Looking to your right, spot green Mileage Marker 49/0. To your left is a high rock wall with two small double-trunked Maple trees in front. Look to the right of the second Maple tree, around chest high and spot a small white quartz rock in the wall. Please do not remove this rock. Instead, remove the long, flat rock to the right of it. Underneath another flat rock is the Putnam County Trailway Letterbox. Continuing along the trail, you head into the woods and next come to an iron arched bridge high over a stream at 3.5 miles. Very scenic. You cross another iron arched bridge at 4.6 miles over a road. Turning West, a tunnel at 5.7 miles takes you through some wetlands where you can still spot some of the old railroad telegraph poles. After passing through another tunnel you'll spot Lake Casse to your right. You come to the Croton Falls Road parking lot at 6.8 miles. This lot is located just east of Route 6 in the Town of Carmel. The trail travels through town and into the Mahopac section where you get a great overlook of Lake Mahopac. Good spot to grab refreshments. The trail travels along a ridgeline at 8.2 miles, then leaves the town behind at 9.2 miles. Come to Route 118 and site of the former Baldwin Place Station and the end of the Putnam County Trailway after 10 miles. The trail continues South as the North County Trailway.

North County Trailway:

Last Updated:      November 30, 2024

Length:                North County Trailway; 20.5 miles

Difficulty:            North County Trailway; Moderate. Paved rail trail, but some grades could be tough for kids on bikes.                                

Directions:

To start from Route 118 at Baldwin Place Station [Northern End]; Take exit 7 off of I-684 to Route 116 west. Turn left when you reach Route 202. Take Route 202 southwest to the junction of Route 118. Turn right and head north on Route 118. Just before the junction of Route 6 in Baldwin Place the trail will cross the road. Parking is available at the Baldwin Place Shopping Center between Routes 6 and 118. 

To start from the Yorktown/Somers border Route 202 parking lot [Northern Section]; Take exit 6 off of I-684 to Route 35 west. When you come to the junction of Routes 118 & 202, continue straight on Routes 35, 118 & 202. You'll come to the parking lot where the trail crosses the road at the border of Yorktown and Somers. 

To start from the New Croton Reservoir/Route 118 parking lot [Central Section]; Take exit 13 off the Taconic State Parkway and travel west along Underhill Ave. Turn left on Route 129 and continue straight on Route 118. After 0.6 miles parking lot is on your left.

To start from the Route 117 parking lot [Southern Section]; Take exit 4 off the Taconic State Parkway to Route 117 west. The lot is on the left side. An overflow lot is located just west of this lot.

To start from the Saw Mill River Pkwy; Exit 23 parking lot in Terrytown [Southern End]; Take exit 23 off the Saw Mill River Parkway. 

Northbound; Half way down the exit ramp, turn right into the parking lot.  

Southbound; Turn left on Old Saw Mill River Rd and travel underneath the Parkway. Turn right up the off-ramp, then left into the parking lot.

The North County Trailway is part of the Empire State Trail , which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North to Canada and Buffalo East to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation. To the South it connects to the South County Trailway and to the North you continue along the Putnam County Trailway.

Starting from Route 118 at Baldwin Place Station [Northern End]; A signboard tells the history of the old Putnam Division Railroad at the start of the trail. Other informative signboards are scattered throughout the route. Brown Mileage posts indicate the distance from the start of the old Railroad Line in New York City on Top and Mile Markers on Bottom.

Note; The Putnam County Trailway heads North from here.

Heading South [Continuing Mileage from South County  Trailway; 10 miles]; The North County  Trailway heads into the woods along a paved surface that is bumpy in spots from root growth. Also note that scatted all along the trail are blue "emergency" call boxes. After 11 ½ miles, you travel along a high berm, with power lines along your right. Be prepared for a long downhill, then uphill ride as you pass by a wide open horse farm. Very scenic. As you pass through some wetlands at 13.6 miles, another signboard informs you, as well as, showing your location on a Map. You reach the Yorktown/Somers border and Route 202 parking lot after 14 ¼ miles. Next you come to a bridge at 14.4 miles over a stream. Continue across the bridge passing a sewer treatment plant on the right. At 15 ¼ miles, just before entering Yorktown Heights, keep a lookout for an old RR Brakeman's Warning Pole. + See; RR Brakeman's Warning Pole Below. Another informative signboard is located here as well. Next you'll come to Railroad Park in Yorktown Heights. Here, you'll find the old Railroad Station built in 1905, as well as picnic tables. After passing through town you travel past a marsh and go through a couple of tunnels before you finally reach the New Croton Reservoir/Route 118 parking lot at 18 ½ miles. Use caution crossing busy Route 118 as you come to the highlight of the trail, the crossing of the reservoir over the old Putnam Railroad Bridge, which was built in 1905. Fantastic views and not to be missed. The trail heads back into the woods along the reservoir before heading through a tunnel, after which a Spur Trail takes you up to a small parking area off of Route 134 at 19.8 miles. You enter Millwood at 21.7 miles and pass by their old, dilapidated Railroad Station. After 22.1 miles, you come to the Pinesbridge Road parking lot. The trail then comes to Route 133 at 22.4 miles. Here a SEPARATED BIKE LANE travels South along Route 133. You travel underneath the Taconic State Parkway and continue alongside Route 100. You'll travel around the Route 100 parking lot at 23.2 miles before continuing alongside Route 100. After 24 miles you'll rejoin the paved trail as it enters the woods. Cross Chappaqua Rd, before crossing Route 100 at 14.8 miles, where the SEPARATED BIKE LANE continues South. Cross an on-ramp for the Briarcliff-Peekskill Pkwy, before traveling underneath the Briarcliff-Peekskill Pkwy. Just before you travel underneath the Pleasantville Road bridge, pass by a Spur Trail on your right at 25.5 miles.

Note; This Spur Trail takes you to the Law Park & Briarcliff Library parking lot. This Tudor-revival style Library was once the Briarcliff Manor Railroad Station. Here, a narrow paved trail circles Walter W. Law Memorial Park.

Just before Route 100/9A, you'll rejoin the paved trail at 25.7 miles as you enter the woods. You parallel Route 100/9A. You'll come to a fork in the trail at 27.1 miles. Right takes you up to Route 117. Continue straight underneath Route 117 and another Spur Trail will take you up to the Route 117 parking lot. Transmission lines are along your right. Soon the trail parallels the Saw Mill River Pkwy. You'll pass by an old RR Mileage Marker at 29 miles that reads NY22, meaning 22 miles to New York. These old  RR Mileage Markers were located every mile along the railroad. The trail runs along a ridge and at 29.4 miles begins a slight accent until it levels off after passing through a rock cut. After 30.5 miles you'll come alongside some old railroad tracks just before a bridge over Saw Mill River Pkwy. This is the end of the North County Trailway and the start of the South County Trailway

Note; Right, West, a paved trail leads to the Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail

Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail/Andre Brook Trail:

[See also; Scenes from the Trail for more information and a Map]

Last Updated:      November 30, 2024

Length:                Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail; 1.9 miles                              

                              Andre Brook Trail (connection to Old Croton Aqueduct Trail); 0.8 miles

Difficulty:            Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail; Easy. Flat paved/crushed stone rail trail.                              

                              Andre Brook Trail; Moderate. Hilly, stone-dust, packed dirt & grass trail.

Directions:

To start from the Saw Mill River Pkwy; Exit 23 parking lot in Terrytown [Eastern End]; Take exit 23 off the Saw Mill River Parkway. 

Northbound; Half way down the exit ramp, turn right into the parking lot.  

Southbound; Turn left on Old Saw Mill River Rd and travel underneath the Parkway. Turn right up the off-ramp, then left into the parking lot.

The Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail follows the old rail bed of the Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad West and provides a connection to the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail .

Starting from the Junction of the North & South County Trailways, just before a bridge over the Saw Mill River Pkwy; [Re-zeroing Mileage] Follow a paved trail up a short hill, then down to Old Saw Mill River & Neperan Roads. Turn right along the sidewalk and you'll come to a cross-walk. The Neperan Road parking lot is on your right. Take the cross-walk over Neperan Rd and travel past the stone 1987 Eastview Pumping Station on your right. Pass through the gate and come to the paved Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail. This will take you West, alongside Lower Tarrytown Lake/Reservoir. Look right to spot the stone Gatehouse. The trail heads into the woods as it follows the lake. Very peaceful compared to the North & South County Trailways that parallel the Parkway. In the middle of the lake spot an old stone Well House. Cross Neperan Road to a parking lot at 1.3 miles. This overlooks Upper Tarrytown Lake/Reservoir. The crushed gravel rail trail continues left, North, into the woods above the reservoir on your right. Cross an old RR bridge and come to an intersection at 1.9 miles. This is the end of the trail, the old rail bed stops straight ahead, below Tower Hill Rd, past which lies the Rockefeller Estate

Note; You can connect to the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail via the "Orange" Andre Brook Trail (can be a little tricky to follow) on your left. Travel up the narrow crushed gravel/grass trail to Wilson Park Drive. Head left, on-road (residential) past a small parking lot, then turn right, West, along a stone-dust/grass trail that travels through a residential right of way. Spot a fence on your right. To the left is a narrow opening where the trail continues down a steep ravine to an intersection at 0.5 miles. I believe you can go either way but I went straight out to an open field and traveled right, North, to a dirt & gravel road which took me West, around the Sleepy Hollow HS sports fields, to Bedford Rd. Here, the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail crosses Bedford Rd after 0.8 miles

South County Trailway:

Last Updated:      November 30, 2024

Length:                South County Trailway; 15.3 miles

Difficulty:            South County Trailway; Easy. Paved trail along a mostly flat rail bed.

Directions:

To start from the Saw Mill River Pkwy; Exit 23 parking lot in Terrytown [Northern End]; Take exit 23 off the Saw Mill River Parkway. 

Northbound; Half way down the exit ramp, turn right into the parking lot.  

Southbound; Turn left on Old Saw Mill River Rd and travel underneath the Parkway. Turn right up the off-ramp, then left into the parking lot.

To start from the Great Hunger Memorial Park (old Rest Stop) in Elmsford [Central Section]; From the Saw Mill River Parkway Northbound Only. Just past exit will be the old Rest Stop on your right. 

To start from Tibbetts Brook Park parking lot in Yonkers [Southern End]; Fee. From the Cross County Pkwy take exit 3 to Yonkers Ave/Midland Ave south. Enter Tibbetts Brook Park on your right. Parking lot on your right. From the parking lot head west across the park past the aquatic park and turn left towards the lake. Then turn right past the tennis courts up to the South County  Trailway.

The South County Trailway is part of the Empire State Trail , which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North to Canada and Buffalo East to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation. To the South it connects to the Old Putnam Rail Trail and to the North you continue along the North County Trailway.

Starting from the Junction of the North & South County Trailways, just before a bridge over the Saw Mill River Pkwy;

Note; West, up a short hill, leads to the Tarrytown Lakes Spur Trail. See Above.

Note; North takes you along the North County Trailway. See Above.

Traveling South along the South County Trailway; [Continuing Mileage from North County  Trailway; 30.5 miles] You cross a bridge over the Saw Mill River Parkway and another over Old Saw Mill River Rd, before passing by the Saw Mill River Pkwy; Exit 23 parking lot. You'll soon leave the Saw Mill River Parkway behind as you head into the woods. At 32.3 miles the paved trail continues straight alongside Warehouse Lane S before traveling underneath I-287 and running parallel to a portion of the Saw Mill River out to W Main St in Elmsford. Map here. Head left to a cross-light at the intersection of Route 9A and W Main St to cross the street. Then head right to pick up the paved trail on your left after 32.9 miles. The trail travels through Elmsford, past the old train station on your left (now a restaurant) and also past a picnic table and benches. The Saw Mill River Parkway will be to your right, however, you'll soon head into the wooded Rum Brook Park. You'll travel underneath I-87 at 35 miles and travel between the interstate and Saw Mill River Parkway along a wooded corridor. You cross over the Saw Mill River several times before coming alongside Woodlands Lake. When you reach the end of the lake spot a pedestrian bridge on your right at 36.5 miles.

Note; This bridge takes you West, over the dam to the Great Hunger Memorial Park parking lot. The old buildings above you are closed to the public (looks like they might have served as some type of rest stop for the Saw Mill River Parkway in the past). Turn right, North and pass through the parking lot (Porto-Potty located here) to a short paved trail. This brings you to the Great Hunger Memorial for the Irish Potato Famine. After checking out the memorial, walk along the grass path between the lake to your right and a habitat area on your left. Enter the path into the woods and you'll be surrounded by 4-5 very large trees. Look to your left and spot a large diameter Maple tree. Go to the backside (watch out for lurking Poison Ivy) of this tree and spot a pile of rocks. Lift up the flat rock on top to reveal the South County Trailway Letterbox

Back on the trail, continue South, between the Saw Mill Pkwy and I-87 and you'll cross over the Saw Mill River via an old trestle bridge in Ardsley. The trail is still wooded, but eventually travels through more industrial type areas. You also inch closer to the Saw Mill River Parkway. Cross into Hastings-On-Hudson. There is a parking lot just after you cross over Farragut Ave on your left at 39.6 miles. You then cross into Yonkers. After you travel over Saw Mill River Rd (Route 9A), the trail passes through a more urban area. Travel underneath Tuckahoe Rd at 41.6 miles. You now travel along a sunken wooded corridor, passing underneath Mile Square Rd followed by Palmer Rd at 42.6 miles. Continuing South along the trail you cross Mile Square Rd again before passing by the Dunwoodie Golf Course and coming to a Spur Trail on your left to Redmond Park parking lot at 43.8 miles. There are pavilions with golf-tee shaped roofs that my friend and I had to seek shelter under during a walloping thunder & lighting downpour. Touched nothing made of medal and hoped the lightning spared us. The trail heads through the woods and travels over Yonkers Ave and the Cross Country Parkway. The trail heads slightly downhill along a ridge with the Saw Mill River Parkway up to your right and sports fields down below on your left that are part of Tibbetts Brook Park. Spur trails access the Tibbetts Brook Park parking lot. At 44.5 miles, you travel below a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Saw Mill River Parkway. Soon, you'll spot Tibbetts Lake along the left side of the trail. The trail then levels out and after traveling beneath the stone arched bridge carrying McLean Ave you reach the end of the trail after 45.8 miles. This is the border between Westchester & Bronx Counties and an entrance to Van Cortlandt Park via the paved Old Putnam Rail Trail.

Old Putnam Rail Trail:

Last Updated:        November 30, 2024                              

Length:                  Old Putnam Rail Trail; 1.7 miles

Difficulty:              Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.   

Directions:

You can access the Old Putnam Rail Trail from the Southern End of the South County Trailway or the Western End of the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway. You can also start from Van Cortlandt Park

The Old Putnam Rail Trail is part of the Empire State Trail , which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City North to Canada and Buffalo East to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation. To the South a 3 mile on-road route connects to the Manhattan Waterfront Trail and to the North you continue along the South County Trailway. For more information visit;  OLD PUTNAM RAIL TRAIL .

The Old Putnam Rail Trail is part of the EAST COAST GREENWAY , a planned biking & hiking route stretching 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. When complete it will traverse 15 states with a mostly off-road path.

Starting from the Southern End of the South County Trailway in Yonkers; [Continuing Mileage from South County  Trailway; 45.8 miles] The paved Old Putnam Rail Trail continues South into Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. I haven't checked this trail since it was paved in 2020. At 46.1 miles you'll come alongside the Van Cortlandt Golf Course, the nations first Public Golf Course. You'll spot some old railroad ties along your left, along with an old railroad Mileage Marker reading NY6 (6 miles to NY). These old  RR Mileage Markers were located every mile along the railroad. At 46.4 miles, you travel underneath the Mosholu Pkwy. You come to Van Cortlandt Lake at 46.9 miles. Just a bit further keep a sharp eye to your right. Here you'll spot 13 stone pillars all lined up in a row. In the 1910's, before the Grand Central Station was constructed, these pillars were used to decide which style to use in the new terminal. A path to the right of the pillars heads up to ball fields and a park. Next you travel across an old double span iron rail bridge. 

Note; The Empire State Trail continues right, West, somewhere taking you out to Broadway.

Note; You can access the Mosholu-Pelham Greenway from here. Head left, Southeast, past the Southern End of Van Cortlandt Lake  and past a granite post with a gold medallion to Van Cortlandt Park access road and head left, East, past the Van Cortlandt Golf Course Club House. You'll pick up the paved Mosholu-Pelham Greenway on your left. 

Continuing straight, South, you'll pass by what's left of the old Van Cortlandt Train Station on your left before crossing another old blue double span iron rail bridge. This is as far as we traveled. The trail continues towards a tunnel underneath Van Cortlandt Park S at the end of the park where it currently ends after 47.5 miles.

Note; Future plans call for continuing the Old Putnam Rail Trail South, utilizing the Putnam Branch rail bed alongside the Major Deegan Expressway. In 2023, the city agreed to purchase the old rail bed from CSX, which owns the corridor. Also, Tibbetts Brook, which is buried along the old rail bed will be "Daylighted". Tibbetts Brook was dammed in the 18th century to form a mill pond in Van Cortlandt Park and by 1912 it was completely buried underground and directed into the city’s sewer system. The daylighting project will return it closer to its natural open-air path, which winds through the Kingsbridge neighborhood and empties into the Harlem River.

Old Railroad Equipment:

+ RR Brakeman's Warning Pole:
Prior to 1888 when Westinghouse developed a reliable air brake, stopping a train or a rolling car was very primitive. Iron wheels, located atop cars, were connected to a manual braking system by a long metal rod. The brakemen, usually two to a train, would ride on top of the car. On a Whistle signal from the engineer, the brakemen, one at the front of the train and one at the rear of the train, would begin turning the iron wheels to engage the brakes. The Brakeman Warning Pole consists of a rail in the shape of an upside down L, hanging over the center of the trail. The chains hanging down over the rail line would hit the railroad brakeman, who was on top of the train and warn him of an upcoming bridge or tunnel.

HH

CLICK HERE FOR PUTNAM COUNTY TRAILWAY MAP

CLICK HERE FOR NORTH COUNTY TRAILWAYS MAP

CLICK HERE FOR SOUTH COUNTY TRAILWAY MAP

CLICK HERE FOR VAN CORTLANDT PARK MAP

CLICK HERE FOR NY CITY 2024 BIKE MAP

CLICK HERE FOR EMPIRE STATE TRAIL MAP

 

PUTNAM COUNTY TRAILWAY LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON

JULY 4, 2015

SOUTH COUNTY TRAILWAY LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON

 APRIL 25, 2020

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