The best traffic-free bike rides in Harriman State Park

Harriman State Park offers over 20 dedicated no-traffic road cycling routes. These routes cater to various skill levels, with 4 easy, 15 moderate, and 2 difficult options to explore.

The park is particularly stunning during the fall foliage season, offering breathtaking views. Spring and summer also provide excellent conditions for cycling. While winter offers opportunities for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, road cycling might be limited due to snow and ice on some routes.

Yes, there are several easy routes. For a relatively gentle introduction to the park's quiet roads, consider the Grape Swamp Mountain – Quiet road with semi good tarmac loop from Jackie Jones Mountain, which offers a pleasant ride with minimal elevation gain.

Harriman State Park's routes feature diverse terrain, from winding roads past numerous lakes and beaches to forested slopes and challenging climbs. You'll find well-paved, bike-friendly roads that offer both exhilarating uphill sections and leisurely downhill rolls, often with significant elevation changes.

Absolutely. The park is renowned for its natural beauty. Many routes, especially those along Seven Lakes Drive, offer views of lakes like Lake Tiorati, Welch, and Sebago. You can also find viewpoints like Ramapo Torne, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding forests and lakes.

The komoot community highly rates the no-traffic road cycling experience in Harriman State Park, with an average score of 4.3 stars. Reviewers often praise the park's quiet, scenic roads, the challenging climbs, and the stunning natural beauty, especially during the fall.

Yes, many of the no-traffic routes are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end at the same point. An example of a longer, more challenging loop is the View from Bear Mountain Summit – Lake Tiorati loop from Tuxedo, which covers nearly 100 km.

Many routes wind past the park's numerous lakes. For instance, the Willow Tree Pond – Lake Welch Beach loop from Viola takes you past Lake Welch, which has a beach area, perfect for a mid-ride break. You'll also encounter lakes such as Pine Meadow Lake and Lake Skannatati on various routes.

For experienced cyclists seeking a challenge, routes like the View from Bear Mountain Summit – Lake Tiorati loop from Tuxedo offer significant elevation gain over a long distance. Another challenging option is the Bear Mountain Climb – Iona Island Bird Sanctuary loop from Anthony's Nose, known for its substantial climbs.

Beyond the natural beauty, you might encounter various points of interest. Keep an eye out for shelters like West Mountain Shelter or summits such as Jackie Jones Mountain, which offer unique perspectives of the park. The park's extensive network of lakes also serves as prominent landmarks.

Harriman State Park is accessible, located less than 50 miles from Midtown Manhattan. While specific public transport options directly to the start of all no-traffic routes may vary, some areas of the park are reachable by bus or train, often requiring a short ride or walk to the cycling routes.

While the park itself is primarily natural, there are often small stores or cafes in the surrounding towns and at some of the larger park facilities, particularly near popular entry points or beaches. It's advisable to carry sufficient water and snacks, especially on longer rides, as services within the park can be limited.