The Hudson river valley has plenty of hills, and some of them have
challenging climbs. These are some
which are memorable for us.
There are also some fun descents -- down the
hills.
what's here
see also
Tough climb with some pretty scenery along the way, and
interesting variety of steepness and curves. About 1250 vertical feet
in 1.9 miles for an average steepness
grade around 12.5% -- but there
are sustained sections which are steeper. If stop in the middle, can look
back to a big view to the southeast. The steepest climb over 700 vertical
feet that I know of so far in the Hudson Valley south of Albany.
The climb is in Sullivan county, north from the west end of
the Rondout Reservoir near Grahamsville. (Could use the nearby
Sugar Loaf climb as a
warmup for Glade Hill) [not checked by us since 2007]
[
see Map ]
Directions: From Rt 209 near Ellenville, take Rt 55
going northwest, then turn Right on Rt 55A and go northwest along the north
side of the Rondout Reservoir. Turn Right to go northeast on Peekamoose Rd
(Ulster county Rt 42), then soon turn left to go north on Sugar Loaf Rd.
Soon turn left onto Glade Hill Rd and climb that up to Moore Hill Rd (which
has a big climb of its
own). (on
some older maps it might be called "Furman Rd").
Big varied climb which includes a very very steep section
(but not much "vista"). The climbing starts gentle then gets steeper and
steeper, but with several breaks along the way. There's also variety in the
transition from the high-speed high-traffic highway (with reasonable
shoulder with good surface condition as of June 2008) to the quiet roads.
In southern Ulster county west from Pine Bush on and north of Rt 52.
[
see Map ]
Total climbing almost 1300 vertical feet (including Rt 52
starting from the Oregon Trail crossroads). Vista Maria Rd climbs 450
vertical feet at around 14% steepness grade. But that contains a couple of
gentler "breaks", so its two steeper sections are each around 150 vertical
feet with steepness at least 16%. Also Hansburg Rd and Clark Rd each have
short steep sections of their own, and even the lower part on the main
highway includes 350 vertical feet at 7% grade.
The only "vista" view I found was my a glance over my right
shoulder just after the first steep section on Vista Maria Rd. For a much
bigger higher more sustained view (with some walking required) see
description of "Sams Point" under the Cragsmoor
West climb.
Traffic: Rt 52 West is a high-speed high-traffic-volume
highway [section from Oregon Trail to Hasburg Rd has reasonably wide traffic
lane and shoulder with mostly good surface as of June 2008]. I've felt
pretty comfortable climbing up that section, since my speed is low enough so
that I can handle unexpected obstacles I might encounter.
[overall climb not checked by us since June 2008]
Directions: From Pine Bush in northern Orange county
take Rt 52 West about 6 miles thru Walker Valley (climb starts already on Rt
52 near the Oregon Trail crossroads), then Right on Hansburgh Rd, Left on
Clark Rd, Right onto Vista Maria Rd. The climb finishes where Bottling Works
Rd (dirt) meets Vista Maria Rd (with a Stop sign seen far in advance, to
offer hope for burning legs.) After the climbing there's a flat section on
Vista Maria Rd, which finishes in a short downhill into (unsigned) Sams
Point Rd, and a left turn there soon leads to Cragsmoor Rd which descends
south back to Rt 52.
[
see Map ]
Descent: I do not enjoy descending roads so very
steep as Vista Maria Rd. In this case there's an alternative. The two times
of climbed Vista Maria [as of 2008], instead I've descended Cragsmoor Rd
(which I found kinda fun) back to Rt 52, and then east down 52. The
disadvantage of this option is more time and distance spent on high-speed
high-traffic-volume Rt 52 East [this section had reasonably wide traffic
lane and shoulder with mostly good surface as of June 2008], which sometimes
felt a bit intimidating with big trucks passing, and at my higher speed
going down I was worried about how to handle an unexpected obstacle like say
a fallen log -- so I took it slower. Distance on Rt 52 could be reduced some
by using some roads to the south (e.g. Stein, Grau + Wilkins).
Long climb with varying steepness in southern Ulster
county, on or parallel to Rt 52 going east from Ellenville up to Cragsmoor
on the Shawangunk ridge. If done from the bottom, this is the climb with
biggest vertical gain on paved roads in the Catskills -- and perhaps the
whole Hudson river valley south of Albany. [
see Map ]
But starting from the bottom requires dealing with
high-speed high-volume traffic, including an uphill left turn across Rt 52
-- so lots of riders might prefer to start the climb higher up, after the
section on Rt 52.
There's a little view a ways up on Rt 52, but once the
climb turns off the highway it's mostly just in the woods -- so don't climb
it for views, unless you're going to do some walking at the top (see "Sams
Point" below under Directions). Still I found the significant
variations in steepness and the little curves made the climb interesting
enough.
How big? depends on where you define the
start and finish. Starting at the bottom on Rt 52 and declaring the
top to be the "high point" on Sams Point Rd just after Losee Rd is about
1700 vertical feet. Going on to the "higher" point on Sams Point Rd
(after a downhill) is about 1740 vertical feet of altitude difference.
Steepness -- From the bottom on Rt 52 up only to the
intersection of Gully Rd with Cragsmoor Rd is about 1520 vertical feet at an
average grade over 7.5% -- but with varied steepness including a couple of
sections at least 12%. The first climbing section on Rt 52 is about 150
vertical feet around 7% grade, so there's no gentle "warmup".
For those who want to avoid Rt 52, starting on Mt
Meenagha Rd up to the intersection of Gully Rd with Cragsmoor Rd is about
1225 vertical feet at an average steepness grade almost 8%.
Traffic -- two significant concerns:
First is that the initial climbing on Rt 52 does not have wide paved surface
and there's a significant curve -- so there's not a lot of time to negotiate
"sharing" the road width with high-speed vehicles starting east up from
Ellenville. And because climbing makes bicycling slower, the rider is
spending more time in that section. Then further up (east) after there
aren't buildings next to the road, the paved surface of Rt 52 gets
substantially wider so it feels more comfortable to be riding with
high-speed vehicles going past.
A possible way to greatly reduce this problem
might be to start the climb off Rt 52 a ways to the south -- at the
intersection of Chapel St with Clinton Av then join Rt 52 higher up -- but
we haven't checked that possibility. Chapel St has a Stop sign where it
meets Rt 52 and that intersection must be handled while on a substantial
uphill. (Chapel St is about 125 vertical feet averaging 8% grade, which is
steeper than the corresponding section of Rt 52).
Second traffic problem is a Left turn across high-speed
high-traffic-volume Rt 52 onto Mt Meenagha Rd in the midst of a sustained
uphill. The only way to avoid this is to not do the climb from the bottom,
instead start above this point. Safest is to dismount, wait for a break in
traffic, and walk the bike across.
[overall climb not checked by us since June 2008]
We've heard that some people do most of the climb
staying on Rt 52 -- which is a different climb, and easier: not as steep
overall, not as steep in shorter sections, smoother surface. But still need
to make a Left turn across the highway onto Cragsmoor Rd, much higher up.
Directions: From Ellenville in Ulster county, take
Rt 52 East (climb starts just after the bridge over Sandburg Creek). In the
midst of a sustained uphill, turn Left onto Mt Meenagha Rd (? or is it
Maneegha ?), later Right onto Gully Rd. Main climb finishes next to a dirt
driveway on left side just before a red barn. Then Gully Rd immediately
joins (unsigned) Cragsmoor Rd (which descends south back to Rt 52). To
continue climbing turn Left on (unsigned) Sams Point Rd. After a short flat
section it climbs up to a high point (just after dirt Losee Rd on the left)
(which some riders might declare to be the top of the climb). Then a
short downhill and another short climb to a higher point (just after paved
Laurel Mt Rd on the right). [
see Map ]
After that the road goes downhill to the entrance
and visitors center for the Sams Point Preserve. From there it's a walk
of about a 250 vertical feet in 0.7 mile (15-30 minutes) up to the big view
at Sams Point (a view not found on the roads) and some ice caves. Many years
ago there was a paved road up to the Sams Point view, but now it's a
dirt-gravel trail and bicycling is not permitted on it [as of 2008].
"South Gully"? Many maps say "South Gully Rd", but
the signs actually out on the road say only "Gully Rd" [as of 2008]. The
gully doesn't face south, the road doesn't go south. Although there is
another gully north of it, there is no "North Gully Rd", so I guess some the
local residents didn't see any point in using the word "South" to identify
their road.
Little-known killer climb just over the southern NY border
near Vernon, New Jersey. Arguably the toughest climb in the Hudson valley.
Breakneck Rd itself has 615 vertical feet of climbing, including 150 feet at
19-20% or more, also 150 vertical ft at 16% or more, in the midst of other
steep climbing. The warning sign at the top said 25% grade. Starting below
Breakneck on Vernon Crossing / rt 644 and Stockholm Rd / rt 515 adds more
climbing (some of it steep) and brings the total up to 925 vertical feet
(but that requires handling some high-traffic intersections, including a
left turn across traffic in the midst of a steep-ish climbing section).
The area around Vernon NJ drains into the Wallkill
River, which flows north to New Paltz, joins with Roundout Creek and then
flows into the Hudson River at Kingston NY -- so Breakneck is properly
designated as a "Hudson river valley" climb.
Unfortunately this climb gets significant vehicle traffic
and has a sharp curve in the midst of its steepest climbing section -- which
could make it difficult for vehicle drivers to see a bicyclist moving very
slowly (or stopped from exhaustion). Also its asphalt had coarser stones
than lots of other roads, so it requires more effort than would be expected
from knowing the steepness grade numbers. Also it doesn't get much shade on
summer days. [not checked by us since July 2008] [
see Map ]
warning: Don't even consider trying this climb
unless you have reliably comfortably handled several times the "very steep"
climbs with sustained 14% grade (e.g. Glade Hill,
Vista Maria,
Long Hill Rd -- note
Kain Rd is not far from Breakneck) in
complete control, riding straight up the hill with no weaving -- with your
gears two settings higher than the lowest gear on your bike. Do consider the
danger of falling over if you can't get out of your pedals when you're too
exhausted to continue -- and practice getting out of your pedals and off
your bike in the midst of a tough steep climb and moving yourself and your
bike quickly out of the roadway.
warning: There's no gentle or moderate way back down
from the top. All the ways back down to the valley that I know include
sustained very steep sections of more than 12% grade. To the north, Barry Dr
includes two sustained sections of 13-14% steepness grade (roadside warning
sign says 14%), and as of July 2008, Barry Dr had significant eroded
pavement. To the south, taking route 638 to its end and then route 515 North
down to Vernon, includes a sustained section at least 13% grade (roadside
warning sign says 17% grade) with busy traffic intersections below.
Directions: from southern NY or northern NJ take
Route 94 to its intersection with Route 515 in Vernon, NJ. South on Rt 515 /
Stockholm Rd about 0.6 mile, then (in the midst of a steep-ish climb) turn
Left onto Breakneck Rd. Or for a longer climb, start a little north from
Vernon down a steep hill to the valley floor on Vernon Crossing / route 644. [
see Map ]
This was the climb in the Catskills where several of the pro
racers in the Tour de Trump ended up
walking - (actually it was raining that day). Over 1100 vertical ft
in about 2 miles, including around 900 vertical ft at an average grade
over 12% -- some sections steeper. (Much more than 1100 if start lower
down gentler farther east).
The climb is on Platte Clove Rd west-bound. The road is an extension of
Ulster County Route 33, and becomes Greene County Route 16. (last
checked 2005). [
see Map ]
Note that I don't find riding back down Platte Clove Rd is not much fun, so
I usually prefer to continue West a few miles and then take some other road back
to my starting point.
Directions: From Palenville, NY on
Route
32A, take Malden Ave, then turn Left and take Manorville Rd south to a T at Platte Clove Rd. Turn Right
and start climbing. Many riders prefer starting in Woodstock.
Directions from the NY State Thruway: Take exit 20 (marked for
Saugerties and Woodstock). After the Thruway toll both, turn Left at the
traffic light onto Route 212 West (which is also Route 32 North). After
crossing immediately over the Thruway, continue straight on Route 212, and go
West for 2 miles through Veteran to Centerville. Turn Right (North) onto
Ulster County Route 35 (Blue Mountain Rd). Go at least 1.7 miles and Bear
Left a couple of times until you are going West on Ulster County Route 33,
which takes you to the climb. [
see Map ]
The big climb out of Woodstock, NY -- 1200 vertical feet in about 2
miles, with much of the grade
over 10%. [not checked by us since 2008]
[
see Map ]
Start at the center of
Woodstock on Route 212 in Ulster County, take Rock City Rd north to Glasco Turnpike, and
continue straight across onto Meads Mountain Road. A nearby
route is Woodstock and the
Ashokan Reservoir.
[ see also more Catskills climbs ]
You can ride your bicycle all the way to the top. When you make
it there you get great views of the Hudson River and surrounding hills
and more -- and a tower with interesting historical photos on the
walls. Actually our favorite views are to continue past the top
and down the other (East) side a little. [
see Map ]
The road up is not real steep. The main climb is called Perkins
Memorial Drive, about 650 vertical feet in 2 miles, for an average
grade
around 6%. Or if you start from Route 9W down by the Hudson River, the
total is about 1250 vertical feet in 4.5 miles, average grade around
5%. Going past the top down the East side requires an
additional 250 vertical feet of climbing to get back. [not checked
by us since 2006].
Getting there: From the west end of the Bear Mountain Bridge or
near the north end of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, look for signs
for Bear Mountain Park and Perkins Memorial Drive. But perhaps
it's more fun to combine Bear Mountain with a larger route. It is
reached on these routes: Seven Lakes to the
River and NYC to Bear Mt
Adventure, and near to Bear Mt
to Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Loop and
GWB
to Bear Mt Bridge Loop.
Memorable for the beautiful surrounding country, and the
unremitting final grunt. Ride Ulster County Route 6 Eastbound from
Alligerville to the Mohonk Mountain House gatehouse. From the low
point where Clove Rd crosses the Coxing Kill up to the underpass at the
gatehouse is about 850 vertical feet. The final slope
after the last big curve right keeps getting a little steeper, with around 400
vertical ft averaging over 9-10%
grade, including about 150 ft
around 11%. It's on these
routes: New
Paltz to Ashokan and Great Shawangunk Hill Loop.
[
see Map ]
Actually three climbs with little rest intervals in between. Not the steepest
or longest, but with interesting curves and beautiful scenery in the
Shawangunk ridges in Ulster County. This climb is on Route 44, southwest
of New Paltz in Ulster County. It's on these routes:
New
Paltz to Ashokan and Great Shawangunk Hill Loop.
[
see Map ]
Start from its intersection with Ulster County Route 7 and ride Route 44
West up to Minnewaska State Park.
From the low point on Route 44 up to the Park entrance is about 1300 vertical
feet of climbing. And if you continue the labor by turning Left and climbing the
park road (steeper than the other sections) up to beautiful Lake Minnewaska,
the total gets up to about 1550 vertical feet.
-
climb 1: low point on 44 up to under the
Trapps iron bridge: 775 vertical feet, including 420 ft around 7%
grade.
-
climb 2: up to Peters Kill parking: about
230 vertical ft around 6% grade.
-
climb 3: up to Minnewaska Park main
entrance: 300 vertical ft, including 150 ft at least 10%.
[ see also Minnewaska West climb
]
Combines two great climbs --
Minnewaska East and Mohonk West -- with
two descents in Ulster County, for a total of about 2500 vertical feet.
Also, for those who must, there is the "Great
Shawangunk Double"
which goes both up and down four memorable climbs and descents, for about 5000
vertical feet of total climbing.
The highest peak in the state of Massachusetts (altitude
3491 feet).
[
see Map ]
Mt Greylock is in Berkshire county in northwest
Massachusetts, near Williamstown, North Adams, and Pittsfield. Most of
Mt Greylock's slopes flow into the Hoosic River, which drains into
the Hudson -- so this is properly a Hudson valley climb.
south side: The climb from the south up Rockwell Rd
(starting from Route 7 north from Pittsfield) is actually two
sections of climbing, first
with a long
break (and even some downhill) in between. Good views and a
hut with food at the top. (see
Trip Reports).
It's on this route: Mt Greylock -- Up, Down, and
Around.
Since this road is so high and exposed to the
weather, it frequently has damaged pavement. Be careful about riding down
it, especially if you haven't checked it out first by climbing up it.
north side: The climb from the north
up Notch Rd (starting from Rt 2 a little west from North Adams) is longer:
-
Total climbing around 2770-2800 vertical feet at an
average grade about 6%, but ...
-
including 1200 vertical feet around 9% steepness
grade, with some short
sections even steeper.
Since this road is so high and exposed to the
weather, it frequently has damaged pavement. Be careful about riding down
it, especially if you haven't checked it out first by climbing up it.
As far as I know, it's the longest climb in the territory
drained by the Hudson River. [not checked
by us since 2003].
Another hill up north near Mt Greylock is
Petersburg Pass, between Petersburg NY and Williamstown MA. From the west
side it has a total climb of about 1400 vertical feet, with most of it at
steepness near 7%. From the east side it's about 1350 vertical feet with
much around 6% grade. It can get a fair amount of traffic, so we're not all
that interested in riding it again. [not checked by us since 1997]
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