Dutchess Rail Trails

The Dutchess Rail Trails have been completed.

The Dutchess Rail Trail is a 12 mile multi-use linear county “park” that runs through the middle of the Dutchess County along the former Maybrook Rail corridor including the towns of Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Wappinger and East Fishkill.

Our Dutchess Rail Trails have captured the interest of residents from all across Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley area. The development of our Dutchess Rail Trail has already produced award winning results! In 2008, the readers of Hudson Valley Magazine named Phase I of the Dutchess Rail Trail as the “Best New Hiking Trail” in the Hudson Valley.

Dutchess County welcomes Biking, Hiking and Walking

With the completion of the new 743 foot bridge over Route 55, Wappingers Creek and Old Manchester Road, Dutchess Rail Trail users now enjoy 13 continuous safe miles, from the Hopewell Depot to the Hudson River, where the Dutchess Rail Trail connects with the world's longest pedestrian bridge, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.

The 21-story glass elevator connects the Walkway to the Poughkeepsie riverfront below. This promises easier access for the handicapped, and gets you out over the Hudson River part faster. It will be a quick jaunt to the elevator at Upper Landing Park for those who arrive to visit us at the Poughkeepsie Train Station. The Walkway sees about 50,000 visitors a year.

The Dutchess Rail Trail runs through the middle of Dutchess County along the former Maybrook Rail corridor. The first section, a 1.7 mile span from Lake Walton Road to Route 376, was opened in 2007 in East Fishkill. The second phase opened in 2009. This 2.4 mile stretch starts at the Morgan Lake Trailhead in the City of Poughkeepsie and ends at Overocker Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie. In 2011, the third phase of the trail was completed, creating an 8-mile uninterrupted run from the old Hopewell Depot in East Fishkill north to Old Manchester Road in LaGrange.

All four sections of the Dutchess Rail Trail are open for residents to enjoy. The Dutchess Rail Trail was completed on October, 2013. So come on out and enjoy our beautiful outdoors with stroll or bike ride with family and friends along the completed phases of the Dutchess Rail Trail #dutchessrailtrail