I wanted to discuss one of my favorite passions today. I love to walk bridges!
I've been doing this for a while now, and I've been doing it all over the country and all over the world. Here's the thing. Bridges offer so much and so many of them have pedestrian walkways now; why not enjoy it?
Most of the bridges of New York City are walkable. There are a lot of them there. There are even a couple of pedestrian only bridges, like the Harlem Pedestrian Bridge. In Connecticut, where I live, there are a lot of bridges that are equipped with a pedestrian walkway. Many bridges have been made more attractive and safer for pedestrians so they can enjoy their walks. Who am I to argue?
There are so many great things about walking a famous or even just a great bridge. Here in the northeast we have some whoppers. We have all of the bridges in New York City, and some of them are truly amazing. The Brooklyn Bridge is famously walkable, and I've done just that many times. The big surprise to me was the George Washington Bridge. Not only is it walkable on the north side with one of the most amazing walkways I've encountered yet, but they're working on another walkway on the south side. This could become one of my favorite spots, especially with the Palisades Park on the opposite shore in New Jersey.
Another one of my favorite bridges to walk is the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown, Connecticut. This is a classic steel wonder high in the air across the Connecticut River. You can see for miles from the bridge and the view is amazing. Both the north and south sides of the bridge are walkable with stunning views.
Up in the Catskills is the Rip Van Winkle Bridge over the Hudson River. It's not in the city, so you have a view of the hills and the river when you walk that bridge. It's also high in the air and has amazing views all around. It's a beautiful old steel bridge and just a pleasure to spend time at.
Sometimes it's the amazing view you get from a bridge, like at Ausable Chasm in New York. Sometimes is the bridge as is the case in Porto, Portugal with the Luis I Bridge; although, the view is awesome too. Once in a while you just can't help but wonder how it was made. There are a lot of reasons to enjoy walking and admiring bridges.
I have no idea how many miles I've walked over the years just on bridges. I still go out in search of great bridges to walk. Here in the northeast, they're making more and more of them pedestrian accessible. One of the reasons for this is the East Coast Greenway. This path is designed to go from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida, and all the states along the way have agreed to build their section. This is set to be a 3,000 mile long path when it's finished. One of the reasons I'm seeing more walking paths across bridges is, in fact this path. Many times I see the little sign that says "East Coast Greenway" at each end of the bridge.
Some bridges hold amazing views. Some, like the Bridge of Flowers in Shelbourne Falls, Massachusetts, an old trolley bridge that has been turned into a Veteran's Memorial and an amazing garden are outstanding all around. You never know what you'll find with walking bridges.
However, one of my favorite; and everyone else's too is the old railway bridge hundreds of feet in the air over the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York. Long gone are the railroads that used to use the outstanding, stunning bridge and then what do you do?
New Yorkers love their history, so they turned it into a state park. This is the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge at 1.28 miles from gate to gate and 212 feet above the river. The Walkway is amazing, period.
You can park on either side of the Walkway to enter. They have posted hours that change per season. No one is allowed on the bridge itself after dark, hence closable gates on either end. There are concessions on either end. There is a volunteer service with a cart than can give you a ride if you get tired. Below the Walkway is a beautiful waterfront with a park, children's museum and access to the Metro North Train Station. Yes, you'll be seeing some of that fun on my YouTube Channel soon. From that waterfront there is an elevator up to the Walkway; that's right, it's a wild ride and only open March through October. Check operating hours before you go, if you wish to use it.
The Walkway is part of a few long trails; The William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, The Hudson Valley Rail Trail and The Empire State Trail. All of those trails are many miles long and the Walkway is just along their way.
There is also a loop.
Also in Poughkeepsie is the Mid Hudson Bridge. This is also walkable. If you like, there is a loop trail that will allow you to walk the Walkway, cut over and walk the Mid Hudson Bridge back. Or vice versa. This is over three miles for the loop, but the views are amazing. You can't beat views of the Hudson River from above. It's one of my favorite things.
There you have it. This is one of my passions. I must say that it's healthy from all the walking. It's beautiful from all the architecture and views. It's inexpensive, because you're just walking over bridges. On the Hudson River that even means you save on tolls. It's a great way to get out and do something adventurous. It's just easy and fun.
So, if you don't know what to do with yourself and you want to get out of the house; check out the bridges in your area and see if there's some worth walking and enjoy!
