Difficulty Rating:
4 out of 5
The Ashokan is New York City's second biggest reservoir. This shady route crosses the reservoir and provides panoramic views from both sides. If the visability is clear, views of the Catskills are striking as they ring the reservoir on 3 sides.
Route starts and ends at Poughkeepsie Metro-North station. Check train times.
Ride With GPS cue sheet and route goes over the High Bridge at Poughkeespie both ways.
I just did this ride and hit a home run: the roads are in great shape, few motor traffic (except the 7 miles of route 28, but there is a wide shoulder), magnificent scenery, and brilliant sunshine with low humidity. The turn off route 32 onto route 213 East, right after the bridge over the Wallkill River is dangerous. If you do not have a clear view both directons of no motor traffic, you are advised to get onto the right shoulder and wait till it is safe to make that left.
This is the Ashokan Rail Trail option. The other 2 are: the original route, and the Rosendale Trestle option.
HS 9/25/2020
