Walking Over the Hudson

When we found ourselves suspended high above the Hudson River.

Heading from the Delaware Water Gap to upstate New York, we noticed a sign for “Walkway Over the Hudson” State Historic Park. Intrigued, we decided to make an unplanned stop.

The West entrance, in Highland, NY has a visitor’s center built in the style of a train station. It was certainly appropriate, because the park is a historic railroad bridge spanning the Hudson River.

There was no charge for parking or to access the park.

Completed in 1889, the Poughkeepsie-Highland bridge is the largest surviving steel canteliver bridge in the world. Walking through the gates brought us 212 feet above the Hudson River.

Beth isn’t a fan of heights, but she walked to the middle of the river with me! A wide concrete path with sturdy railings made it feel very secure. 

Repurposed in 2009, it is now the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge at 1.28 miles in length.

Trains no longer utilize the bridge, but can be seen winding along the shoreline as they pass underneath. Check out the video* at the end of today’s post if you enjoy trains.

Walking to the midpoint, we had a commanding view of downtown Poughkeepsie. For those that cross to the Poughkeepsie side, an elevator is available on weekends to access the city without walking to the end of the bridge. 

Looking south, we watched a freighter pass under the Mid-Hudson bridge which carries highway traffic parallel to our walking path. For perspective, that bridge is about a quarter of a mile downstream.

We need to schedule another visit, with bicycles, as the park is part of a rail trail that extends the length and height of New York State!

Here’s a link for more info on the park.

Lighthouses are an attraction that is hard for us to resist, so we followed a sign pointing to the Saugarties Lighthouse. Only about an hour north of the bridge, it was another spot with free admission and parking.

A ten-minute walk brought us to the Hudson where this lighthouse has been watching over river traffic since 1835.

Interior tours are available on weekends and by appointment. 

If you really want to get a feel for the lighthouse, it is available to rent for an overnight stay.

Despite being over one hundred miles north of New York harbor, tides still impact the river. Sand flats were revealed at low tide.

Looking north, over wildflowers, the Hudson was placid on a Monday afternoon.

We enjoyed both of today’s unplanned side trips and reached my sister’s home, north of Albany, in time for dinner.

*Bonus video of train passing below the bridge.

View on YouTube  –> Link