MANHATTAN WATERFRONT
GREENWAY:
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated:
Jan 11, 2022
Length:
Manhattan Waterfront Greenway; 32.5 miles (when complete)
Battery Park north along Western Side of Manhattan via Hudson
River Greenway to Northern End of Harlem River Greenway; 14.3
miles or 16.2 miles.
Northern End of Harlem River Greenway south along Eastern Side
of Manhattan via Hudson River & East River Greenways &
Battery
Bikeway to Battery Park; 15.9 miles
Difficulty:
Easy. The finished off-road greenway is paved and mostly flat.
Moderate. The on-road sections that connect the unfinished greenway are recommended
for cyclists experienced in city street riding.
Directions:
Starting from Battery Park [Southern
End]: Take the NYC
Subway's "Red Line" to South Ferry Station. Hop right onto the trail
and head either northwest along the Hudson River or northeast along the East
River.
Starting from lower Inwood Hill Park [Northern
End]: Take the NYC
Subway's "Blue Line" to Dyckman Station. Head west on Dyckman
St.
Starting from the Harlem 125th St Station [East
Side]; Take
the Metro North train or the NYC Subway's "Green Line" to the Harlem
125th St Station. To connect to the Greenway, you'll need to ride on-road. Not recommended
for kids on bikes. Head
south to 120th St. Follow 120th St east via a BIKE LANE to a footbridge over FDR Drive and the
Greenway along the Harlem River. This is about a 1 mile on-road
detour.
For more information visit; Metro
North Railroad . If you click on the individual stations, they have
available both directions and maps. For information concerning the NYC Subway visit; NYC
SUBWAY .
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a
planned 32-mile route that circumnavigates the island of Manhattan. Along the East
Side of Manhattan it utilizes the Harlem River Greenway
& East River
Greenway. Along the West Side
of Manhattan it utilizes the Hudson River
Greenway. At the Southern
End of
Manhattan the Greenway travels through Battery Park via the
Battery Bikeway. Wherever possible,
it runs along the shoreline and thus reclaims the waterfront for pedestrians,
cyclists, roller blades and other users of non-motorized transportation. Most
portions of the greenway are off-street paths through parks or other
recreational spaces. Greenway-connectors run on-street, where waterfront access
is not currently possible.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is
part of the
Empire State Trail
, which is a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City to
Canada and Buffalo to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the
nation. The Empire State Trail begins at Battery Park
and utilizes the Western Side
of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway as it travels north along the Hudson River
Greenway to Inwood Hill Park at the top of Manhattan. Here it
continues on-road into the Bronx where it connects to the Old Putnam Rail Trail
.
The Hudson
River Greenway 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.
Southern End:
Starting from Battery
Park [Southern End]: This is also
the start of the Empire
State Trail . Starting from in front of
the stone Pier A Harbor House off Battery Pl & Little West
Street:
Note; You have two options from
here.
A.
Cross Battery Pl to the start of the Hudson River
Greenway and head north along the "Bikeway Express". That
is what I call this part of the Hudson River Greenway
that runs up along the Western Side
of Manhattan, because it reminds me of an expressway. This straight trail
has a white line separating the lanes, crosswalks for pedestrians and even
red lights (shaped like bikes). Warning! Serious bikers tend to use this trail and cruise
at a high speed. Not the best choice for little kids on bikes.
B.
The second option and the route we chose takes
you along the waterfront through meandering parks along the Hudson River Esplanade.
You will eventually return to the Hudson River Greenway
to continue north. 0.5 miles longer.
Utilizing Option B;
Head west into Robert F Wagner Jr. Park via the paving stone Battery
Park City Esplanade. There are a couple of routes through the park
but we chose to immediately turn left and travel alongside the river. Great views of the Statue
of Liberty. You'll pass by the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Pass by Oasis
Park, South Cove Park & Rector Park before coming to Pumphouse
Park after 0.8 miles. Good views of One World Trade Center from
here.
Note; From here if you continued
straight out to Liberty St it will take you over to the NATIONAL
SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL .
Continuing left alongside the Hudson River
you travel through Rockefeller Park where the Battery
Park City North Esplanade turns east. Come to an intersection at 1.5
miles.
Note; Straight ahead is the Hudson River
Greenway. If you chose Option A and only utilized the
Hudson River
Greenway your Mileage
to here would be 1 mile.
Note; To continue along a more
scenic route turn left and continue north along the Hudson
River Park. HUDSON
RIVER PARK MAP . This part of the waterfront
had not yet been developed when I was last here, so I utilized the Hudson River
Greenway.
Continuing north along the paved Hudson River
Greenway, which parallels Hudson
River Park on its left and West St on its right, you can still access
any of many piers as you travel north. You'll pass by Pier
25 (sports fields, playground), Pier 26 (green space) Pier 34
(Fishing pier), Pier 40 (sports fields, parking), Pier 45 (green
space), Pier 46 (green space), Pier 51 (playground, Splash Park),
Gansevoort Peninsula (green space, sports fields, kayak launch) and Little
Island (innovative green space). Here the Hudson River
Greenway now parallels Hudson
River Park on its left and 11th Ave/12th Ave on
its right at 3.2 miles. Pass by Pier 57
(music/dining inside/out), Piers 59-61 CHELSEA
PIERS (sports & entertainment complex), Pier 62 (Skate Park),
Pier 63 (green space), Pier
64 (green space), across 12th Ave Chelsea Waterside Park (sports
fields, Dog Park), Pier 66a (Historic Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Float Transfer Bridge), Pier 66 (boating activities), Pier
76 (public space), Pier 79 (ferry), Pier 84 (fountain, Dog
Park, green space), Pier 86 (USS INTREPID
MUSEUM ), Cruise Terminals, Clinton Cove Park, Pier
97 (playground, Splash Park, green space)
before coming to the
end of Hudson River Park where 12th
Ave turns right underneath the Joe DiMaggio Hwy at W 59th St at 5.6
miles. On your left is the pedestrian only entrance to Riverside
Park South. Here the trail travels underneath
Joe DiMaggio Hwy. A slight hill is along your right and the park on your left.
At 5.9 miles a spur on your right leads up to a promenade off Riverside Blvd
& W 66th St. At 6.2 miles the trail now travels alongside the Hudson River
with Riverside Park South along your right. Woods and a hill hide the
Henry Hudson Pkwy up to the east. Pass by the 79th St Boat Basin before
coming to an intersection at 6.8 miles. This next
section is new since I last visited.
Note; This
is the route I used previous. Right takes you underneath the Henry
Hudson Pkwy where a paved trail travels north through Riverside Park
along the east side of the pkwy. The park is actually built over the rail line for Amtrak,
which runs underneath you through a tunnel. Listen for the train whistles. This
route takes you past the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Grants Tomb
and playgrounds but can be a bit tricky.
The Hudson River
Greenway continues north between the river and west side of the Henry
Hudson Pkwy, utilizing an elevated trail above the river for a bit. Pass by the 96th
St Clay Tennis Courts at 7.6 miles where you'll find a parking lot.
Come to St Clair Pl & West Harlem Piers Park at 9.1 miles. Back to a
more urban setting. After passing by the park, bear right underneath
the Henry Hudson Pkwy where the trail continues north underneath the Pkwy before
bearing right alongside the railroad. You travel back underneath the Pkwy and
enter Riverside
Park at 10 miles. Some great views of the George Washington Bridge. There is
parking available here. Soon the trail travels below the Pkwy and alongside
the river before entering the park again. Next you'll travel between the river
and RR tracks and you travel through Fort Washington Park. A highlight of this section comes as you
travel underneath the GW Bridge at 11.7 miles.
A stone-dust trail on your left leads to the "Little Red
Lighthouse" that sits perched on the Hudson River directly below
the bridge. It was built in 1921. Across the river in NJ are the cliffs of the Palisades.
Picnic tables here.
*Note;
Currently, as of 2022, a 0.6 mile gap exists between the next waterfront trail
section in Fort Washington Park North. The recommended alignment will
connect the Greenway from the footing of the George Washington Bridge to the
path at Fort Washington Park North. This will create a direct waterfront
connection.
A steep hill takes you away from the bridge and river. Great views when you
level out. Cross a bridge over the railroad tracks and travel through a tunnel
and up another hill. This will bring you alongside the Henry Hudson Pkwy. Check
out the retaining wall across
the Pkwy. Looks like a castle wall. Pass by Inspiration Point at 12.6
miles. This white open pavilion
with Greek columns was an old pullover for the Pkwy. Great views of the
river far below. The trail heads downhill. To your right across the Pkwy is Fort
Tyron Park. You'll
come to a set of stairs on your left that lead down to Riverside Drive. Continue
straight where a ramp takes you down to Dyckman
St and head left underneath the Pkwy. This brings you to Dyckman
Marina at 13.5 miles.
Note; On your left is the
partially completed paved Hudson River
Greenway that travels south through Fort Washington Park North
between the Hudson River and RR tracks before dead-ending after 1
mile. I
have not yet checked out this section.
*Note;
Currently, as of 2022, a 0.6 mile gap exists between the next waterfront trail
section in Fort Washington Park . The recommended alignment will connect
the Greenway from here south to the footing of the George Washington Bridge.
This will create a direct waterfront connection.
Note;
You have 2 options from here:
A.
You can continue north along the Hudson River
Greenway through Inwood Hill Park;
[This route requires carrying your bike up a pedestrian overpass to access upper
Inwood Hill Park and an on-road section] Head right ( north) into lower
Inwood Hill Park. Follow the paved trail alongside the river past some
ball fields and come to an intersection. Turning right will bring you to a
pedestrian bridge at 13.9 miles. Straight
the trail ends after 0.2 miles at an overlook of the Hudson and Harlem
Rivers where they meet. The RR Bridge crosses the river here as well.
You'll have to carry your bike up the stairs to the top of the pedestrian
bridge in order to cross the RR tracks to upper Inwood Hill Park. I
have not checked out this section. A trail (not sure if it's
paved) travels north through the park. Pass by a spur trail on your right that
leads up to the Henry Hudson Bridge which lets you cross over the Harlem
River to the Bronx. The trail continues along the perimeter of the park
bringing you to Indian Rd & W 218th St at 15
miles. From here the route is on-road. Continue straight (east)
along W 218th St (BIKE SHARROWS) to 10th
Ave & Broadway. Note; Quick
Detour. Head left up Broadway to the BROADWAY
BRIDGE . The Broadway Bridge crosses the Harlem
River Ship Canal between Inwood and Marble Hill, includes a Subway Line over
the top of the bridge and is a Lift-Stay type bridge. If you cross over the
bridge you can connect to the Mosholu-Pelham
Greenway and the Old
Putnam Rail Trail located in Van Cortlandt Park via on-road routes.
From; 10th Ave & Broadway
travel south along 10th Ave. Not recommended for novice
bikers. Come to the intersection of Harlem River Dr & Dyckman St
after 16.2 miles. The paved Harlem River Greenway [Northern End]
starts
on your left.
B.
You
can Detour east on-road to connect to the Harlem
River Greenway to begin your trek south along the
Eastern Side of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway;
This is the Option we chose. Head east along
Dyckman St (BIKE LANE available for part of the route) and
you'll come to the junction of 10th Ave & Harlem River Dr at 14.3
miles. The paved Harlem River Greenway [Northern End]
starts
across the street.
Northern End:
Starting from the Harlem
River Greenway [Northern End]: From 10th Ave &
Harlem River Dr the paved
Harlem River Greenway begins on the east
side of Broadway.
Note;
You have 2 options from here:
[Re-zeroing Mileage]
A.
From here you may also access the paths through Highbridge
Park where you can check out High Bridge. You can then re-join the Harlem
River Greenway
at the junction of W 155th St and Harlem River Driveway after about 2.8 miles
(not counting taking a trip of 0.6 miles across the High Bridge to the
Bronx and back). I
haven’t checked out this section yet, so I’m not 100% sure of the route. It
should be more scenic and interesting then the Harlem
River Greenway
that you are bypassing, as that trail follows alongside Harlem River Drive.
Follow the paved path along the west side of Harlem River Drive into Highbridge
Park
heading south. Highbridge
Park
is built on a hill between Harlem River Dr and Amsterdam Ave, so
there will be some hills. Stay straight at any intersections until you travel
underneath the Washington Bridge, travel past the Hamilton Bridge
Skate Park and travel underneath the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. Come
to an intersection and bear right uphill to Alexander Ave. Head left. Turn left
back into Highbridge Park and travel around the Highbridge Play Center
building and pool, passing by the stone Highbridge Water Tower (which I
believe you can go up in). Come to an intersection behind the pool and turn
left, then left again. This will bring you to THE
HIGH BRIDGE after about 1.7 miles.
It's about 0.3 miles across the bridge to
the Bronx. The High Bridge
was built as a conduit to bring the City water form the Croton Aqueduct.
Originally, High Bridge featured massive stone arches (like Roman
aqueducts had) for its entire length. The arches survive on the Bronx side, but
the steel span was constructed in the 20s to allow navigation on the Harlem
River. For more information visit; OLD
CROTON AQUEDUCT TRAIL . Return
to the first intersection, but this time head straight. Pass by two spurs on
your right and continuing straight. At the third intersection I believe the path
continues unpaved? Head right past the Adventure Playground to Edgecombe
Ave and head left (wide sidewalk or BIKE SHARROWS). Travel down to
W 155th St and turn left to Harlem River Drive
& St Nickolas
Pl where the Harlem
River Greenway comes
in from your left after about 2.8 miles.
B.
Follow the Harlem
River Greenway south. You'll come
alongside the Harlem River at Sherman Creek Park. This section of
the trail starts out tree lined and shaded but soon loses most of its greenery
as it travels between the Harlem River and Harlem River Drive. You'll travel underneath
the Washington Bridge, followed by the Alexander
Hamilton Bridge and finally the High Bridge at 1.3 miles. High Bridge Park and High Bridge
Water Tower are up to your right. The
trail then leaves the river behind, crossing Harlem River Drive via a pedestrian
bridge and traveling uphill alongside Harlem River Driveway. Use
Caution at the end of the bridge as you must cross over an exit ramp to a
sidewalk. The sidewalk quickly gives way to a SEPARATED BIKE LANE. This will
bring you to
W 155th St & St Nickolas
Pl at 2.3 miles.
Note; If you head right up W 155th St to Edgecombe Ave and head north you'll travel alongside High Bridge
Park. After 0.5 miles you’ll pick up a paved path on your right which
leads to the
THE
HIGH BRIDGE.
Detour:
This
section of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway
does not follow the waterfront. There
are some finished sections of the Harlem
River Greenway along
the Harlem River, as of 2022, but they are fragmented and cut off by
Harlem River Dr. A 1.1 mile Gap along the Harlem River is under design in 2022.
Note;
You have 2 options from W 155th St
& St Nickolas
Pl:
[Continuing Mileage
via Option B above]
A.
[2.3
miles] Cross
over W 155th St to St Nickolas Pl where you’ll find a BIKE LANE.
Follow
the BIKE
LANE south
along St Nickolas Pl. When you come to a "Do Not Enter" sign bear
right to St Nickolas Ave where the BIKE LANE
continues south. After 2.9 miles turn left down W 145th St, then right on Edgecombe
Ave.
Next turn left down W
142nd St (one-way)
and follow on-road to 5th Ave. Cross to a pedestrian bridge over Harlem River Dr
which will bring you down to the Harlem
River Greenway at 3.7
miles.
B.
[2.3
miles] Cross
over W 155th St to St Nickolas Pl and head left along Edgecombe Ave (one-way
on-road/ wide sidewalk available). This route is much more scenic as it follows
a ridgeline with views of the Bronx across the Harlem River. Below along
your left is Jackie Robinson Park. After
3 miles turn left down W 142nd St (one-way) and follow on-road to 5th Ave. Cross
to a pedestrian bridge over Harlem River Dr which will bring you down to the Harlem
River Greenway at 3.7
miles.
Note;
Left (North), the paved Harlem
River Greenway quickly ends below the 145th Street Bridge, as of
2022. Future plans will continue the trail north between the Harlem River and
Harlem River Dr where it will connect with the northern section of the Harlem
River Greenway.
Heading South
the trail travels between the Harlem River
and Harlem River Dr along a narrow strip of land. After traveling
underneath the Madison Ave Bridge the greenway widens. You travel underneath a
RR Bridge and come to an intersection at 4.3 miles.
Note;
The next 0.8 mile section south has not yet been
completed. In design 2022.
Detour: You’ll need to take the pedestrian bridge on your right back over Harlem River
Drive to Madison Ave. Head left, then left again down E 135th St to Park Ave and head
right on-road (one-way). Follow Park Ave to E 120th St and turn left where
you'll follow a BIKE LANE
east to FDR Dr. Here a pedestrian bridge will take you over FDR Dr and back to
the Harlem
River Greenway (also called the Bobby
Wagner Walk) at 6.3 miles.
Note;
Heading North the Harlem
River Greenway ends after only 0.3 miles
just below the RFK Bridge.
Note;
The next 0.8 mile section north has not yet been
completed. In design 2022.
Heading South
the Harlem
River Greenway (also called the Bobby Wagner
Walk) consists of cement
pavers and travels between the Harlem River and FDR Drive. After only 0.5
miles, a pedestrian
bridge crosses over FDR Drive to Jefferson Park. At 7.3 miles, another
pedestrian bridge crosses the river over to Randall's Island Park, where
you can access more bike trails.
Note; A 4.5 mile waterfront pathway
circles the island. For more information visit; RANDALL'S
ISLAND PARK . I haven't checked out these
trails yet.
Just past Randall's Island, the Harlem
River flows into the East River. The small island in the river is Mill
Rock Park. Pass by the E 90th St Ferry at 8 miles. Here the East
River Greenway (also called the John Finley
Walk) continues south alongside the East River passing by
through Carl Schurz Park.
A nice reprieve from the traffic noise as FDR Drive is diverted underneath the
park. A nice promenade overlooks the river, where you'll get a great view of the
lighthouse on the northern tip of Roosevelt Island. At 8.5 miles a ramp
will take you over FDR Dr and back down between the river and FDR Dr. Pass by a
pedestrian bridge over FDR Dr to E 71st St, followed by a second pedestrian
bridge over to E 63rd St, before traveling through Andrew Haswell Green Park.
Travel underneath a red sculpture, just below the Queensboro Bridge
and out to E 60th St & York Ave at 9.2
miles.
Note; A
gap exists, as of 2022, between the next East
River Greenway section South at E
53rd St. They
are currently constructing an elevated trail over the East River to
connect the 2 sections. Another gap exists between E 56th St South
past the UN to E 41st St.
Detour: From
E 60th St & York Ave.
Note; A
3.8
mile trail circles Roosevelt Island. You can access the island via
the Roosevelt Island Bridge from Queens or from the ROOSEVELT
ISLAND TRAM . Head west up E 60th St (BIKE LANE)
to access both the Queensboro
Bridge over to Queens or the Roosevelt Island Tram. See; ROOSEVELT
ISLAND GREENWAY .
Hang a left along York St/Sutton Pl. There are green "greenway route"
signs all along this detour. Turn right up E 55th St (BIKE LANE), then left along 2nd
Ave (BIKE LANE). Take another left when you reach
E 38th St and
then a right alongside and underneath FDR Drive. A tunnel underneath FDR Dr at E
37th St will return you to the East
River Greenway at 10.9 miles.
Note; The East
River Greenway travels North
for 0.2 miles before ending at E 41st St. A
gap exists, as of 2022, between the next East
River Greenway section North past
the UN to E 56th St. This section under design in 2022.
Heading
South the East
River Greenway travels below FDR Dr alongside the East River. Soon
your following a BIKE LANE
as FDR Dr is at street level. You'll pass by Stuyvesant Cove Park and come back alongside the East
River at 11.8 miles. Good view of the UN building. You travel alongside East
River Park and pass by 3 pedestrian bridges over FDR Drive before traveling underneath the Williamsburg Bridge and Delancy St footbridge at
13.2 miles. Keep an eye out on your left for the quirky "harp seal"
statues. After leaving behind the park, the Greenway turns west as you follow
the Southern End of Manhattan. After
passing by Pier 36 you pick up a BIKE LANE
that travels underneath FDR
Drive. A separate pavers path to your left follows alongside the river. Travel
underneath the Manhattan Bridge where the BIKE LANE
turns towards the river. Travel underneath the Brooklyn
Bridge at 14.6 miles. Next you'll pass by Piers, Ferry Terminals and
Heliports before coming to the Governors Island Ferry and Staten
Island Ferry at 15.5 miles.
Note; The GOVERNORS
ISLAND TERMINAL and
the STATEN ISLAND FERRY TERMINAL are
located here. Bike paths are located on both Governors Island and Staten
Island. I haven't checked out the trails on
GOVERNORS ISLAND
yet. See; STATEN
ISLAND TRAILS for several trails.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway
now follows the Battery Bikeway. Travel
around Whitehall Terminal past NYC Subways South
Ferry Station
and through Battery Park.
Note; The Battery
Bikeway follows alongside State St and Battery Pl, however, the more
scenic route is through the park alongside the river where you'll find the East
Coast Memorial and the NPS's CASTLE
CLINTON NM . You can
buy tickets here for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferry. Restrooms are also located here.
You'll return to the stone Pier A Harbor House off Battery Pl & Little West
Street after 15.9 miles at the Southern
End.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR
MANHATTAN WATERFRONT GREENWAY MAP
CLICK
HERE FOR NY CITY 2022 BIKE MAP
CLICK
HERE FOR HUDSON VALLEY GREENWAY MAP
CLICK
HERE FOR EMPIRE STATE TRAIL MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE
SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER
OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT
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