Photo: Juliancolton / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park turns a 19th-century railroad bridge between Poughkeepsie and Highland into a 1.28-mile pedestrian and bicycle crossing 212 feet above the river. It is one of the Hudson Valley’s most visited parks and connects to rail trails on both sides of the river.
A short history
The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge opened in 1889, giving New England a rail link to the coal fields of Pennsylvania and the West without going through New York City. A fire in 1974 damaged the deck and ended rail service. A nonprofit group, now Walkway Over the Hudson, led the campaign to reuse the bridge, and it reopened as a state park in 2009.
Hours
The Walkway is open every day of the year from 7 a.m., closing around sunset on a schedule that changes through the year, from 5 p.m. in midwinter to 8:30 p.m. in early summer. For late October, closing time is 6 p.m., moving to 5 p.m. from November 1. Hours can change for special events or weather; the park’s information line is 845-834-2867.
The elevator
A 21-story glass elevator at Upper Landing Park in Poughkeepsie links the bridge to the riverfront and the Metro-North station area. It runs seasonally, typically from spring through late November, from 9 a.m. until 90 minutes before the park closes. It may close for maintenance, high winds or storms; the elevator hotline is 845-834-3641.
Parking
- Poughkeepsie (east side): the state park lot at 61 Parker Avenue charges a daily fee and accepts the Empire Pass. Free parking is available at Pulaski Park, 162 Washington Street, about 0.2 miles from the Washington Street stairs, and along Brookside Avenue.
- Highland (west side): the Town of Lloyd charges for parking in lots and marked spaces along Haviland Road (GPS address 87 Haviland Road). Accessible spaces are free, and town residents can register vehicles for an exemption. Non-residents can buy an annual pass from the town.
Note that New York’s Golden Park Program pass is not valid at the Walkway.
Accessibility
The entrances at Haviland Road and Parker Avenue and the elevator entrance are accessible without stairs, and the deck is wide, flat concrete with chest-high railings. Expansion joints can be uneven, so take care with wheels. A seasonal hop-on, hop-off electric tram helps visitors across the bridge during the day.
The loop
A popular outing combines the Walkway with the Mid-Hudson Bridge, about a mile south, to make a loop of roughly 3.6 miles through both riverfronts. The Walkway also links to the Dutchess Rail Trail to the east and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to the west, both paved routes built on former rail lines.
Before you go
There is no shade on the bridge and wind is common, so bring layers in spring and fall. Bicycles are allowed; ride slowly in crowds. Leashed dogs are welcome. The Walkway’s website, walkway.org, posts events, closures and the current year’s schedule.
