Erie Railroad Rail To Trail Path Piermont to Sparkill

Piermont/Sparkill,
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Erie Railroad Rail Trail: Unblazed
Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.1 miles
Level of Difficulty: Very easy
Level of Recommendation: Slightly recommended
Points of Interest: Old rail path

On the new Hudson Palisades Trail maps I had purchased, I noticed the rail trail of the old Erie Railroad going through Piermont. I did not have the time for a full hike and this was more like a walk. I parked in downtown Piermont on the street, and attempted to take the old railroad path which is a block south of downtown. However, when I took it, I noticed that it ends in private property in a backyard. There was a path which I thought would cut across to the rail trail path, but there was a 30 foot straight cliff wall blocking the way. So I turned around and headed north through downtown to the Long Path up Tate Ave, going up the hill on the road and then going along the path which takes you to the rail trail where it crosses Ash Street.

The old historical railroad station house is here, and I peeked inside and it was a mess in the interior. They should really clean it up and allow public access. From this point I headed south along the rail trail then continued southeast, eventually crossing under route 9W at the high bridge. I then took the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail for a short distance making a triangle through a small part of Sparkill, and then headed back along the Erie Railroad path. Getting closer to Piermont, I had noticed a well-worn path leaving the trail, and I decided to take it to see where it goes. The trail ended up on somebody's private backyard on Piermont Place, making me feel a bit awkward. I then walked on Piermont Place down to Ash Street, which I took all the way down back to Piermont and back to my car.

Map of the Route. Hudson Palisades Trails

The Old Piermont Railroad station

Route 9W Bridge Over the Sparkill Creek

Close-Up of  a Wild Rose

Wild Rose Flowers

The Erie Railroad Rail Trail

Tallman Mountain State Park

Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Bike Path: Unblazed
Orange Trail: Unblazed

Total time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.75 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points of Interest: Piermont, Tallman Mountain Views
Pros: Historic and rustic village, good climb, good views
Cons: Busy area and built up area

Google Map of Parking:


With my near completion of all the trails in Harriman/Bear Mountain State Parks, I am starting to branch out and explore many of the other hiking area in the area. There is a large network of trails along the Palisades from New Jersey into New York, and although I've been to many hikes in that area, there is a lot more to explore around here.

Tallman Mountain isn't much of a mountain, with an elevation just short of 200 feet. However, it just out sharply and steeply from the village of Piermont and the Hudson River, and has expansive views. The State Park with the same name offers several trails, a biking trail, and several park facilities such as picnic area, tennis courts, a pool (though not sure if its used anymore), etc. There are only two marked trails traversing the park - a short connector trail blazed orange, and the Long Path, which goes through the length of the park. There is also a popular bike trail going from one end of the park the other. There are also some elevated unmarked trails that crisscross in perpendicular form over swampy area.

I parked in the village of Piermont, and quaint village with a certain charm that I always find a pleasure to walk through. I walked towards the Bridge Street Drawbridge, which is an historical, crank drawbridge over the Sparkill Creek that has been preserved. The Long Path meets up here, by the curve on Ferdon Ave, and then I took the Long Path up the steep but short escarpment. At the top there is a picnic area with great views over the village of Piermont.

I continued along the Long Path, past where it crosses the Bike Path, and followed it along elevated trail areas through a large marshy area. The Long Path then meets up with the Bike Path again, by the ruin. I took the combined bike path and Long Path to the other parking area at the southern end of the park, and then turned around and continued along the bike path, until the split with the unmarked trail towards the view. This area has a nice view of the giant swamp alongside the Hudson River, as well as the Tappan Zee Bridge. It also allows for nice viewing across the river to Westchester at Dobbs Ferry and Hastings-on-Hudson. I continued along the unmarked trail to the Long Path, and took detoured on the Orange Trail to the main parking lot. From there I took an old unmarked trail down to the pool area, and then down the closed road on the side of the Hudson River Swamp back around to Ferdon Ave to my car.

Map of the Route

Historic Drawbridge Over Sparkill Creek.
Tallman Mountain is in the Background

View of Sparkill Creek Crossing the Above Bridge

The end of Sparkill Creek Prior to its Draining into the Hudson.

Tallman Mountain Behind the Trees

View of Piermont and the Hudson from the View
on Tallman Mountain. Facing North.

Another View of Piermont from Tallman Mountain

Large Swamp in the Hudson and Piermont Pier in the Distance

Looking Over to Westchester Across the Hudson River

Marshy Area along the Long Path

Long Path in Tallman Mountain State Park

Boardwalks Along the Long Path

Ruin on the Bike Trail where it meets the Long Path

View from the Southern Part of Tallman Mountain.
Facing Northeast.

View Across the Hudson River from Southern Part

View Facing the Tappan Zee Bridge and Piermont Pier. Facing North.

Search Key: 108-111