Where the Metro North Railroad line ends in Wassaic, New York

is where the Harlem Valley Rail Trail begins.

From there, its 10.7 miles of paved riding past farms

fields,

and wetlands,

through forests,

and along stretches of Rte 20 and then narrow country lanes

to Middleton, NY.

There you can stop for a tea tasting or a bite at the Harvey & Sons Tea Factory Shop,

visit Gilmor Glass Works,

or shop for books, antiques or bicycle gear,

before heading back the way you came, to the train station at Wassaic and then home.

Of course, if you wanted to bring along a picnic lunch, you could have picked up provisions at Cousins Market just down the road from the train station in Wassaic,

where they make great sandwiches using homemade roasted peppers.

Which is what we did.

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The entire Harlem Valley Rail Trail, when it is finished, will run 46 miles from Wassiac to Chatham, NY. Much of the trail north of Millerton is still under development, though the stretch from Under Mountain Road to Copake Falls Station is complete. One can put together a longer ride than ours (We did a total of about 22 miles round trip) if you are willing to head off the trail onto nearby (hilly) roads.