Bronx and Westchester South County Trail

This 13-mile Empire State Trail section is an off-road paved trail, dedicated to bicyclists and hikers only. The section begins on the west side of Van Cortlandt Park at the intersection of Broadway and West 242nd Street (accessible by NYC subway and on-street parking). From there, the trail runs northeast through the park, following the former Putnam rail line north into Westchester, where the route then follows the South County Trail. Despite passing through densely populated areas, the rail-trail is surprisingly park-like and quiet, buffered from adjacent development and the Saw Mill River Parkway by dense woods. The north end of this trail section is in Elmsford, at Route 119. Multiple trail parking areas exist along the route, including VE Macy Park, a county park with ample parking and public restrooms.