3. Take a Pedal-Bike Tour on an Abandoned Rail Track

New York State, and much of the country for that matter, is criss crossed with abandoned railroad trails that have long been out of use. In recent years there has been a concerted effort to adopt those historic trails for modern day uses and recreational activities. In the Catskills, the old lines of the Catskill Mountain Railroad line are being used for bike rides through the woods. Rail Explorers offer pedal-bike tours over the tracks which have been out of use since 1954.

The tandem bikes seat two to four people and have steel wheels that glide along the old steel railroad tracks, eliminating the need for passengers to steer. Pedaling uphill along “The River Run” trail, which takes you on a bucolic ride along the Esopus River, is made easier by electric pedal assist motors. The journey is an eight mile round-trip with a stop in the middle for the bikes to be turned around and for riders to have a snack. The scenery along the route includes sweeping views of the mountains, the Esopus River and stretches of track enveloped in greenery.