By Emily HastingsUpdated November 2026
Riders looking for hudson river bike trails usually want one thing: a clear way to choose a route, understand the distance and terrain, and find a place to sleep or refuel along the way. The picks below are chosen on four criteria: whether the resource covers the Hudson Valley specifically, how current and detailed the route information is, how well it suits day rides versus multi-day touring, and how consistently owners and buyers describe it as useful for planning. None of these were ridden or tested by us. The selections reflect published specifications, publisher descriptions and the kinds of feedback cyclists commonly share about guides and maps.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallCycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys: A Guide to Art, History, andView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for trail mapsPalisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023View on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for rail-trail ridersRail trails along the Greenbrier RiverView on Amazon - 4
Best for a visual trip storyA Pictorial American River Bike Trail TripView on Amazon - 5
Best for Midwest rail-trail comparisonRail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio: The definitive guide to the regView on Amazon - 6
Best for Mid-Atlantic multi-day planningRail-Trails Mid-Atlantic: The Definitive Guide to Multiuse Trails in DView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys | Multi-day Hudson Valley touring | Route guide along the Empire State Trail north-south corridor |
| Palisades Interstate Park Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023 | Day rides across the Palisades | Trail-level map covering Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake |
| Rail trails along the Greenbrier River | Rail-trail riders wanting a flat, linear route | Focus on converted rail corridors and gentle grades |
| A Pictorial American River Bike Trail Trip | Riders who want inspiration before planning | Photo-led account of a river bike trip |
| Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio | Comparing multiuse trail networks regionally | Guide to the region’s top multiuse trails |
| Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic | Planning multi-state rail-trail itineraries | Covers Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, D.C. and West Virginia |
Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys: A Guide to Art, History, and Nature along the North-South Route of the Empire State Trail (Parks & Trails New York)
Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys: A Guide to Art, History, and Nature along the North-South Route of the Empire State Trail (Parks & Trails New York)
Best for: Multi-day touring along the full Hudson Valley corridor
This is the most directly relevant book on the list for anyone building a ride along the river. It is written for cyclists who want to combine riding with the history, art and landscape of the corridor, and it suits riders who plan overnight stops rather than single loops.
Key specs If you want more background, see Mountain Bike Accessories: Trail Repair and Protection.
- Format: guidebook covering the north-south route of the Empire State Trail
- Geographic focus: Hudson and Champlain valleys in New York
- Parks & Trails New York series title
Pros
- Organized around the actual Empire State Trail route, so it maps to real riding
- Adds cultural and historic context that stops often lack
- Useful for planning multi-day segments and overnight towns
Cons
- Print guides can go out of date as trail sections are added or rerouted, so check current status online
- Less useful as a turn-by-turn navigation tool than a GPS file
Bottom line: The best starting point for riders planning a multi-day trip on the Hudson Valley corridor who also want local history.
Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023
Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023
Best for: Day rides and trail planning in the Palisades region
This folding-style trail map covers the Palisades Interstate Park area and nearby destinations like Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake. It fits riders who want a single, detailed reference for the trail network on the west bank of the river.
Key specs
- Map type: trails map for Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain and Rockland Lake
- Edition year: 2023, as stated in the listing title
Pros
- Concentrates on one of the most-used riding areas along the river
- Dated edition gives a clear check on how current the information is
- Works well as a backup when cell coverage is patchy
Cons
- Covers a limited area, so it will not help with long-distance corridor planning
- Paper maps do not show real-time trail closures or conditions
Bottom line: A good pick for riders who mainly ride the Palisades and want a dependable paper reference.
Rail trails along the Greenbrier River
Rail trails along the Greenbrier River
Best for: Riders who prefer converted rail corridors with gentle grades
This title focuses on rail-trail riding along a river corridor. Rail-trail riders often value its linear, low-gradient character, which is also a useful model for the flatter sections of the Hudson route. Its geography is in West Virginia, so treat it as a reference for the rail-trail style rather than a local guide.
Key specs
- Subject: rail trails along a river corridor
- Format: trail guide focused on converted railway routes
Pros
- Rail corridors typically keep grades gentle, which suits touring with loaded bikes
- Useful for understanding how rail-trail infrastructure is described and planned
- Pairs well with regional guides for planning similar riding elsewhere
Cons
- Not specific to the Hudson Valley, so local route details will be missing
- Trail surfaces and services can change, so verify current conditions
Bottom line: A useful comparison read for riders who like rail trails and want a broader sense of the style before choosing a Hudson route.
A Pictorial American River Bike Trail Trip
A Pictorial American River Bike Trail Trip
Best for: Inspiration and visual trip planning
This is a photo-led book about a river bike trip rather than a route reference. It suits riders who are still deciding whether a river-corridor tour appeals to them and want a sense of what the experience looks like.
Key specs
- Format: pictorial book about a river bike trail trip
- Focus: visual account rather than detailed navigation
Pros
- Helps set expectations for scenery and pace before committing to a route
- Easy to read in short sessions and useful as a planning companion
- Gives a feel for river-corridor riding in general
Cons
- Lacks the mileage tables, elevation data and service listings that planning requires
- Not focused on the Hudson Valley, so local details are limited
Bottom line: Best as an inspiration read alongside a route guide rather than as your only planning resource.
Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio: The definitive guide to the region’s top multiuse trails
Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio: The definitive guide to the region's top multiuse trails
Best for: Comparing rail-trail networks across a multi-state region
This guide covers multiuse trails in the Midwest. It is not a Hudson Valley resource, but it is useful for riders who want to see how rail-trail guidebooks are organized and who plan to ride in several regions.
Key specs
- Coverage: Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
- Focus: multiuse rail trails
Pros
- Consistent format makes it easy to compare trail options
- Good reference for riders building a multi-state rail-trail itinerary
- Covers a large number of trails in one volume
Cons
- Geography does not match the Hudson Valley
- Print information can lag behind trail openings and reroutes
Bottom line: A regional reference for riders who want rail-trail guidance beyond the Northeast.
Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic: The Definitive Guide to Multiuse Trails in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia
Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic: The Definitive Guide to Multiuse Trails in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia
Best for: Multi-state rail-trail itineraries on the East Coast
This guide covers multiuse trails across the Mid-Atlantic. It sits next to the Hudson Valley geographically in the broader East Coast trail system, and it is a good model for planning routes that cross state lines and combine several trails into one tour.
Key specs
- Coverage: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia
- Focus: multiuse rail trails
Pros
- Good for planning connected, multi-day rail-trail routes
- Covers a wide range of trail types and lengths in one book
- Useful for riders who want to link trails into a longer tour
Cons
- Not specific to New York or the Hudson Valley
- Route details can change, so confirm closures and surfaces before departing
Bottom line: The right choice for riders who want to build long, connected rail-trail itineraries across several states.
Buying Guide
Route coverage and geography
Check that the resource covers the exact stretch you plan to ride. Hudson River routes run on both banks, and some trail sections are connected by road or ferry. A guide that is strong on one bank may leave gaps on the other.
Good picks for this: Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys; Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023
Distance and elevation data
Look for mileage per segment and elevation profile information. Flat rail-trail corridors and the hillier Palisades area require very different planning, especially with a loaded touring bike.
Good picks for this: Rail trails along the Greenbrier River; Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic
Currency of information
Trail openings, closures and reroutes happen often. Check the publication year and whether the publisher updates editions. Pair any printed resource with the current agency or park website before you ride.
Good picks for this: Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023; Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys
Format: print versus digital
Paper maps work well as a backup and for overview planning. Turn-by-turn navigation is easier with a downloadable GPS route. Many riders carry both, since paper does not depend on battery or signal.
Good picks for this: Palisades Interstate Park, Hook Mountain, Rockland Lake Hudson Palisades Trails Map, 2023; Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys
Trip type: day ride or multi-day tour
Day riders need detailed local maps and parking or transit information. Multi-day tourers need overnight town listings, services and connections between segments. Choose a resource that matches your trip length.
Good picks for this: Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys; Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic
Surface and grade
Rail-trail surfaces are often crushed stone or asphalt with gentle grades, while river-bluff routes can be steep. Knowing the surface type helps you decide on tire width and whether a road bike, hybrid or gravel bike suits the route.
Good picks for this: Rail trails along the Greenbrier River; Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, & Ohio
Inspiration versus planning
Some books are better for deciding whether a trip is worth doing, while others are built for execution. Be clear which job you need done before buying.
Good picks for this: A Pictorial American River Bike Trail Trip; Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys
FAQ
Which hudson river bike trails are best for beginners?
Beginners usually do best on flatter, separated paths rather than steep bluff routes. Choose a map or guide that clearly labels grades and surfaces, and start with a single segment before attempting a multi-day route.
Do I need a map if I use a GPS app?
A GPS app is convenient, but a paper map is a useful backup if your battery runs low or signal drops in river valleys. Carrying both is a common approach among cyclists.
How far is a typical day ride on the Hudson trails?
Day rides vary widely depending on the segment. Check the mileage in your chosen guide and add time for stops, climbs and the return trip if you are riding out and back.
Are the Palisades trails suitable for road bikes?
Some sections are paved and others are unpaved or rocky. A hybrid or gravel bike with wider tires offers more flexibility than a narrow road bike. Verify surface conditions for the specific trail you plan to ride.
How current should my trail guide be?
Trail networks change. Look for the publication year and check official park or trail agency sites for recent closures, detours and openings before you leave.
Can I combine rail trails with road riding on a Hudson Valley tour?
Yes. Many multi-day Hudson Valley routes mix trail segments with low-traffic roads. Use a guide that shows both, and plan connections carefully, especially where trail segments are not continuous.
Conclusion
For a full corridor tour, Cycling the Hudson and Champlain Valleys is the strongest starting point. For day rides in the Palisades, the 2023 trails map is the most practical reference. Riders who mainly want rail-trail riding insight can look at the Greenbrier and Mid-Atlantic titles, while the Illinois/Indiana/Ohio guide and the pictorial trip book serve as comparison and inspiration reads. Pair whichever you choose with current official trail information.
For more route ideas, see 9 Best Hudson River Bike Trails for Every Rider (2026), New Jersey Bike Trails: 7 Best Routes for Every Rider (2026) and Rochester New York Bike Trails: 6 Best Routes for Every Rider.
Sources
- Official guidance on national park trail conditions, safety and planning (nps.gov)
- New York State energy and transportation program background, useful for context on state trail investment (nyserda.ny.gov)
- New York State Parks information on state trails, including the Empire State Trail (nysparks.gov)
Related reading
About Emily Hastings
Emily puts together our bike touring & bikepacking guides, digging through specifications, manufacturer details and owner reviews so you don't have to.
