DRT4

WRS Dutchess Rail Trail

Hopewell Junction to Poughkeepsie
  • 13.5 miles
  • 5 to 7 hours
  • 1 to 1 hour, 30 minutes
  • Dog-friendly
  • Paved

Trail Overview

This 13.5-mile Empire State Trail section is an off-road paved trail, dedicated to bicyclists and walkers only. This section begins at a trailhead parking area in Hopewell Junction, several hundred yards west of Route 82, which includes a railroad depot museum and public restrooms. The trail follows the William R Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail northwest from there, passing through wooded areas, local parks, and residential communities. This section ends in Poughkeepsie at Walkway Over the Hudson State Park, which is a spectacular 1.5-mile park built on an historic railroad bridge high above the Hudson River. Parking, visitor centers and public restrooms are available at both ends of the Walkway. Trail users can access a variety of local businesses in Hopewell Junction, Poughkeepsie, and smaller communities along the route.

Cycling Directions

Cue sheets provide step by step navigation instructions for cycling the trail in both directions.

HV10-HV11_South-North.pdf Download HV11-HV10_North-South.pdf Download
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Trail Elevation


Family Fun

Art & Culture

Food & Drink

Historic

Train Stations

Poughkeepsie

Hotels/Motels & Resorts

Best Western Plus: The Inn & Suites at the Falls

Relax at this hotel overlooking a scenic waterfall on the banks of Wappingers Creek. Included in the stay, guests are welcomed to enjoy a complimentary full hot breakfast as well as a nightly glass of wine or a bottle of beer in their cocktail lounge. 40 rooms, including eight modern suites. "> 

Courtyard by Marriott - Poughkeepsie

Enjoy a comfortable and convenient stay off of Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. After a day filled with activities in Dutchess, make yourself at home in one of the 149 modern rooms and 12 suites. Head to The Bistro restaurant for breakfast or dinner and pair it with specialty drinks from Starbucks or evening cocktails.

Days Inn By Windham Poughkeepsie

After an activity-filled day in Dutchess, make yourself at home in Poughkeepsie in one of the 66 guest rooms. During your stay, guests can enjoy complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, served daily, an indoor pool, and access to a fitness center - plus, you'll be centrally-located to explore the area!

DoubleTree by Hilton Poughkeepsie

Enjoy a stay in Poughkeepsie in this newly renovated full-service hotel with the on-site restaurant The Market Street Bar and Grill. Guests can choose from 200 rooms including suites and ADA accessible rooms. Available daily to all guests is a complimentary full hot American style breakfast. This hotel also provides shuttle services to the nearby Poughkeepsie Train station. Tour groups welcome. 

Hampton Inn & Suites Poughkeepsie

Enjoy a comfortable stay in Poughkeepsie in one of the 129 guest rooms and suites. Conveniently located off of Route 9, guests are within minutes of major local attractions. During your stay, take a part of the complimentary hot breakfast, or make a splash in the indoor heated pool.

Holiday Inn Express Poughkeepsie

Enjoy your stay in Poughkeepsie in one of the 121 fully renovated rooms in this hotel that is conveniently located near Route 9. Kick start your day with a Smart Start Breakfast which includes a full complimentary hot breakfast buffet featuring pancakes and is available daily.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Poughkeepsie

Within the Hudson Valley, we’re six miles from Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Blue Collar Breweries, and Poughkeepsie Galleria are ten miles or less from us. Please join us for complimentary drinks and snacks on Wednesdays (5pm-7pm), or do some in-suite cooking. Free WiFi and breakfast are yours.

  • Visit Site
  • 900 Thomas Watson Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Residence Inn by Marriott Poughkeepsie

Make yourself at home during your stay in Poughkeepsie in one of the 128 rooms and spacious suites. Whether you are staying for a night, a weekend, or a few weeks, spread out in one of the newly renovated hotel suites with fully equipped kitchens, ergonomic workstations, and complimentary Wi-Fi. After a night of rest, fuel up for the day with a free hot breakfast buffet. Guests are also welcomed to use the fitness center and then spend time at the indoor pool, hot tub, outdoor Sport Court®, and fire pit. On select evenings, head to The Residence Inn Mixer for complimentary beer and wine while meeting with fellow travelers.

The Heartwood at Vassar

Find unmatched comfort and refined elegance in each of the 50 rooms and suites at the brand-new Heartwood on the picturesque campus of Vassar College. Surround yourself with sophisticated, modern amenities as you immerse yourself in the timeless charm of the Hudson Valley.
As it does not employ any fossil fuels and is carbon neutral, The Heartwood is Vassar’s first net-zero-emission building and one of the first such buildings of its type in the region. A carefully curated collection of art by Vassar alums adorns the walls and shelves of the common areas. Be sure to set a few minutes aside and check out the “Cabinet of Curiosities” in the lobby; created by artist Mark Dion, this intriguing installation includes dozens of artifacts reflecting Vassar’s rich, 160-year history.
The Salt Line restaurant — named after the line in the Hudson River where the salt water from the ocean meets the fresh water of the river — is a warm and welcoming place to meet for a delectable meal made with locally sourced ingredients.
The Heartwood is about a 10-minute walk to Vassar’s Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, which is home to 22,000 works of art, including paintings by the leading artists of the Hudson River School movement of the mid-1800s, as well as masterpieces of the 20th century by Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.