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Print Friendly MapThe Raymond G. Esposito Memorial Trail travels from one end of the village of South Nyack to the other in 1 mile but greatly expands its reach by connecting with the Old Erie Path and a new shared-use path on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge, which crosses the Hudson River from Westchester County.
The path follows the former route of the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, which began running trains from Nyack to Jersey City in the 1870s. The Northern was a business partner of the Erie Railroad, which acquired the Northern in 1942. It operated as Erie’s Nyack and Piermont Branch until it ceased passenger service in 1966. The trail came into being about the same time that other Orangetown Township communities resuscitated another pair of disused Erie Railroad corridors into trails: the Old Erie Path and the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail. They connect to form more than 8 miles of pathway. The trail is named for former South Nyack Mayor Raymond G. Esposito.
Like the Old Erie Path, the Esposito Memorial Trail hugs the steep hillsides of the Hudson Palisades on the river’s western shore and has scenic views of the river valley after the leaves have fallen. Starting at the Old Erie Path junction, the Esposito Memorial Trail has a firmer surface as it runs alongside US 9W. Just before it crosses I-87/I-287 on a bridge shared with US 9W, steep stairs on the right connect to the Elizabeth Place Dog Park.
After it crosses I-87/I-287, the Esposito Memorial Trail is accompanied by the new shared-use path built on the north side of the bridge spanning the Hudson River. Concerned that heavy bicycle traffic from the new path would overwhelm the Esposito Memorial Trail, local officials separated the two trails with a divider up to a new trailhead at Clinton Avenue. Both trails have access to a trail-only parking lot and restroom facility at Exit 10 on I-87/I-287.
After crossing Clinton Avenue, the Esposito Memorial Trail heads north 0.3 mile alongside residential South Franklin Street to its end at Franklin Street Park. In the park, a plaque marks the former site of the South Nyack depot, where commuter passengers would board for a trip to Jersey City and the ferry ride across to New York City.
While South Nyack is residential, the village of Nyack offers snacks, restaurants, and shops just a few blocks downhill on South Broadway.
To reach the northern endpoint in South Nyack from I-87/I-287 W, take Exit 11 and stay straight on High Ave. Go 0.5 mile, and turn right onto S. Franklin St.; then go 0.3 mile to Cedar Hill Ave. and Franklin Street Park. Look for on-street parking on S. Franklin St. or Cedar Hill Ave.
To reach the northern endpoint in South Nyack from I-87/I-287 E, take Exit 11 and turn left onto NY 59. Go 0.8 mile, and turn right on S. Franklin St. Go 0.2 mile to Cedar Hill Ave. and Franklin Street Park. Look for on-street parking on S. Franklin St. or Cedar Hill Ave.
I utilized the trail to access the just opened shared-use path over the Mario Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge. A spectacular ride but caution is warranted. The new path has walkers and joggers separated from cyclists by a painted line. With users travelling in both directions it can get pretty tight.
Also note that unlike the Rockland side with direct access to the Esposito and Old Erie Path trails the Westchester side ends at busy Route 9/ Broadway. It is a fairly short on-street ride to the Croton Aqueduct Trail (not suitable for road bikes) and a longer street ride to the North Country Trailway.
This trail is a continuation of the Old Erie Path. You can start riding in Tappan on the Joseph B. Clarke Trail, which then leads to the Old Erie Path. It starts at the Piermont train station building. It is very scenic as you rise above views of the Hudson River and Tappan Zee (Mario Cuomo) Bridge. The surface is crushed stone and dirt. A hybrid or mountain bike is recommended.
"This trail actually continues all the way down to end at Sparkill, NY. It parallels Route 9 running through the forest along a ridge past Grandview, Piermont, and finally drops down to sea level to end in Sparkill.
All told, the trail is more like a four mile run (8 mile round trip) which is a perfect way to end the workday. If you want to make it longer, you can hop on to Broadway and head north through Nyack up to the trail along the Hudson at the foot of Hook Mountain.
Or, at the south side of the trail, cycle through Piermont and out to the tip of the pier to unwind.
This is one of my favorite local rides, great for closing out the workday on a long summer day. Hope to see you on the trail!"
"This short trail is an extension of the Old Erie Rail Trail into South Nyack. The northern terminus is at Cedar Hill Ave at the Nyack/South Nyack border in the Franklin St. Park. A big bonus to this trail is that it crosses over the NY Thruway on its own right-of-way. South of the Thruway it ""becomes"" the Old Erie Rail Trail in Grandview.
There are some nice views of a picturesque area that has been overwhelmed by modern infrastructure!
Rates a 7 out of 10!
-Fred"
"Access via Franklin Street Park in Nyack.
A short trail but it directly connects to the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail and other ""no name"" trails in the area.
Worth the trip.
E-mail for further information."
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