If you’re looking for the ultimate fall foliage escape just 2.5 hours from NYC, forget the crowded hiking trails and bumper-to-bumper scenic drives. Tucked away in the Catskill Mountains is a surreal, cinematic journey that lets you glide straight through the autumn canopy without breaking a sweat.
Operating on the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad—a line that hasn’t seen a commercial train in decades—Rail Explorers offers custom-built, electric-assist rail bikes that pedal you along forgotten tracks.
It’s an immersive, low-effort way to take in Upstate New York’s brilliant autumnal colors while cruising past dense forests and the rushing Esopus Creek.
The historic “All-Rail Route to the Catskill Mountains”
Founded in 1866 as the Rondout and Oswego Railroad by Thomas Cornell, the ambitious 129-mile standard-gauge railroad was often advertised as “The Only All-Rail Route To the Catskill Mountains.”
Pushing through the rugged Catskill terrain came with heavy construction costs, forcing the company into bankruptcy and a reorganization as the New York, Kingston, and Syracuse Railroad in 1872. Following another foreclosure in 1875, it officially emerged as the Ulster and Delaware Railroad (U&D).
Over the next few decades the company aggressively expanded, and by its peak in 1913, the railroad had completely transformed the region, transporting thousands of NYC vacationers to grand Catskill hotels while hauling vital freight like dairy, coal, and ice.
The U&D was eventually absorbed by the New York Central Railroad in 1932, running its last passenger train in 1954 before freight service permanently ended in 1976 after sections of the track were truncated for highway construction.
Today, a 24-mile portion of the historic U&D railbed between Arkville and Roxbury is preserved and operated as a scenic tourist excursion, allowing visitors to ride along the vintage railroad tracks on modern pedal-powered rail bikes.
What to expect on your Rail Explorers autumn ride
Your journey begins at the Rail Explorers Depot in Phoenicia, located right next to the historic Empire State Railway Museum built in 1899.
You’ll pedal east alongside the Esopus Creek and past the sculpture park at the Mt Tremper Station, taking in quintessential Catskills forest and river views dripping in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.
The turnaround point is Creekside Station, the exclusive rest area featuring Rail Explorers’ signature red adirondack chairs.
Secret NYC Tip: Be sure to keep an out for bald eagles as you pedal through the forest! And bring a snack and drinks to enjoy at the rest area before making your return journey.
Choose your Catskills journey
As you glide through dense forests and cross over the rushing Esopus Creek, you’ll travel a route that hasn’t seen a commercial locomotive in decades. Whether you want a full-afternoon adventure or a quick twilight escape, there are a variety of scenic tours to choose from:
- The River Run (8 miles, 2.5 hours): Pedal beside roaring rivers through the beautiful woods of the Catskill Mountains
- Golden Hour Tour (8 miles, 2.5 hours): Enjoy the River Run as the sun sets over the Catskill Mountains. Relax at the creekside turnaround and then pedal back as the twilight deepens
- Mt Tremper Express (4 miles, 90 minutes): Ride alongside the Esopus Creek on an abbreviated version of the River Run on this bite-sized 4 mile round trip
- Mt Tremper Lantern Ride (4 miles, 90 minutes): Enjoy the Mt Tremper Express tour as the sun sets over the Catskill Mountains
Every rail bike is fitted with a quiet electric-assist motor—ensuring you can soak in the peak foliage without breaking a sweat—and is available as a Tandem Explorer (for two) or Quad Explorer (for four).
Trip details & logistics
- What: Rail Explorers: Catskills Division
- Location: 70 High St, Phoenicia, NY 12464
- Cost: Rides start at $75
- Getting there from NYC:
- By Car: A scenic 2.5-hour drive via I-87 N and Route 28; park directly at the Rail Explorers Depot at 70 Lower High Street
- By Bus: Take the Adirondack Trailways from Port Authority directly to Phoenicia for a stress-free, 3-hour ride followed by a short walk to the tracks
- By Train: Ride Amtrak or Metro-North to Poughkeepsie, then catch a 50-minute rideshare to the depot for a multi-modal transit adventure
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