Walkway over the Hudson

Walkway over the Hudson is a former rail crossing in Poughkeepsie and Highland, now a steel pedestrian deck. It stretches 2082 meters and rests on tall steel piers rising 65 meters above the water.

The structure was completed in 1889 as a rail crossing for freight trains and was the longest of its kind at the time. A fire in 1974 ended train operations, and after decades of closure it reopened as a pedestrian path.

The name reflects the transformation of a former rail crossing into a public footpath connecting two river towns. Today people walk, jog and cycle across it, meeting others from both shores and pausing at benches along the deck.

The deck is open daily from sunrise to sunset through entry points in Poughkeepsie and Highland, with parking on both sides. The flat surface suits strollers and wheelchairs, and railings run along the entire length for safety.

The conversion from industrial relic to public recreation began only after decades of debate over the future of the abandoned structure. Today it links to over 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) of riverside trails, letting walkers and cyclists plan extended valley routes.

Location: Poughkeepsie

Location: Lloyd

Inception: December 29, 1888

Official opening: January 1, 1889

Height: 65 m

Length: 2,082 m

Website: http://walkway.org

GPS coordinates: 41.71056,-73.94444

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:37