CENTRAL PARK LOOP:
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 21, 2025
Length: Central Park Loop; 6.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. The paved road is hilly in spots and utilizes a BIKE LANE. However, on weekends the road is closed to traffic. May be tough for kids on bikes.
Directions:
The NYC Subway has
multiple stops around Central Park. See; CENTRAL
PARK SUBWAY MAP . For
information concerning taking your bike on the Subway visit; NYC
SUBWAY; BIKES .
Central Park stretches from 59th Street at its Southern End, North to Central Park N/110th St and from 5th Ave on the East Side to 8th Ave on the West Side. East Drive, West Drive & Center Drive combine to create a road that encircles the park. These are one-way roads heading North, along the Eastern Side of the park and South, along the Western Side of the park. These roads include a BIKE LANE and a joggers lane and are closed to vehicles. There's tons of things to do and see in the park. To rent a Bike visit; CENTRAL PARK BIKE RENTALS . For more information visit; CENTRAL PARK .
Central Park; Southern End to Northern End:
Starting from W 59th Street & 7th Ave [Southern End]; Follow West Drive into the park and turn right, East, along Center Drive following a BIKE LANE. The Central Park Loop is one-way. Center Drive turns North, along the East Side of the park. You'll travel between The Mall and East Green before coming to Terrace Drive (72nd St) after 0.9 miles. Your now on East Drive.
Note; You can take a quick detour by heading left, West, on Terrace Drive to Bethesda Fountain & Terrace overlooking The Lake. To the South is the tree lined Mall.
Continuing along East Drive, you'll pass by the Boat House on your left. Here you can rent boats, as well as bikes. For more information visit; CENTRAL PARK BIKE RENTALS . East Drive becomes hilly from this point North. After 1.6 miles you'll pass by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Great Lawn is along your left. The road then travels past the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir on your left and museum row on your right (Guggenheim-Cooper Hewitt-Jewish Museums). At 2.2 miles you'll come to E 90th St entrance. On your left is an overlook of the reservoir worth checking out. A pedestrian only trail circles the reservoir. Continuing North, you pass by the ball fields in North Meadow along your left and on your right you'll soon pass by the Conservatory Gardens before an S curve takes you down past the Lasker Rink & Pool. This brings you alongside the Harlem Meer and a fork in the road.
Note; Heading right brings you out to Central Park N/W110th St and Malcolm X Blvd.
Continue left, West, where East Drive becomes West Drive at the Northern End of Central Park after 3.6 miles. To your right is Central Park N/110th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd/7th Ave.
Central Park; Northern End to Southern End:
Starting from Central Park N/110th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd/7th Ave [Northern End]; [Continuing Mileage] Travel West, along West Drive, to the West Side of the park where the BIKE LANE ascends a long hill South, through the North Woods and crests out at 4 miles. A path on your right leads up to The Great Hill. A Map Board is located here. Now you get to descend the hill where you'll pass by a small waterfall that empties into The Pool. You pass along the reservoir again and the Great Lawn before coming to W 81st Transverse Rd.
Note; Turning right, West, on W 81st Transverse Rd will take you out to the HAYDEN PLANETARIUM and AMERICAN MUSEUM/NATURAL HISTORY .
Continuing South, you'll pass by The Lake and come to an access road for W 72nd St at 5.9 miles.
Note; If you take a detour North, up this road it will bring you to Strawberry Fields, a tribute to the late John Lennon, as well as, the Dakota on W 72nd St. You can return to West Drive by heading down the southern access road.
Next you'll pass by the Sheep Meadow (restrooms available) and the Tavern on the Green.
Note; As you come to the Southern End of the park you can take a quick detour Southwest, out to Columbus Circle at the SW corner of the park. A large fountain is located here.
After about 6.7 miles you'll return to W 59th Street & 7th Ave at the Southern End of Central Park.
HH
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CLICK HERE FOR CENTRAL PARK MAP
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BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT