About this Tour

This tour will guide you through the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge. The bridge spans 1.28 miles at an elevation of 212 feet between Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York, in the heart of the beautiful Hudson Valley.

On this tour, you will hear about this region's environment, Native Americans, European settlers, impressive early engineering feats, and much more.

You will stroll on this impressive steel cantilever structure. Hear stories about how for 85 years, this route was for a train. Today, as part of the national rails to trails program, this path is an integral part of the Hudson Valley Trail Network . The Hudson Valley Trail Network connects three trails systems to produce transportation, tourism, and economic development benefits for the local and regional communities.

But the bridge itself is not the only engineering highlight on this tour. You will also have the opportunity to go up 21-stories in a glass-enclosed elevator to access a series of interconnected waterfront parks along the Poughkeepsie shoreline.

Sites along the tour include Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, Fall Kill, and the mighty Hudson River.

Learn about the more than 200 species of fish—including both commercial and endangered species--and the many species of birds and mammals that call the Hudson River home. You will hear about the ecological and economic value of this productive estuary.

The Walkway is open seven days a week, 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset. It can be open after dark for special events. The park closes in the event of thunderstorms, high winds, or icy conditions.

Walkway Over the Hudson is one of the most accessible parks globally for visitors with mobility challenges because it is flat, paved, and stair-less. Join the more than five million people from all 50 states and over 52 countries who have visited the Walkway since its opening.

If at any time you need more information about the Walkway visit its website or flag down a Volunteer Ambassadors identifiable by their red vests.

Tour Sponsors

This tour was made possible through the generosity of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It also required the collaboration of the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the New York State Bridge Authority, and the nonprofit Walkway Over the Hudson.

Find More Tours Near You

If you are interested in more audio tours in the region, check out the driving tour Historic Hudson River Towns, Edward Hopper’s Nyack, and the walking or biking tour of the towns of Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, and Irvington.

To find more tours wherever your travels may take you visit TravelStorys.com. Every place has a story.