Disclaimer: This Lake Minnewaska State Park Preserve Bike Tour recap contains affiliate links…
A Last Minute Detour
A travel day, we were showered and dressed in casual clothes prepared for a several-hour drive from New Paltz to Troy, NY, but because we’d not been able to ride through the Minnewaska Preserve the previous day, we decided to drive past to check it out. Once there, the perfect weather and sweet allure of riding up the mountain won out and we quickly changed from our street to cycling clothes, prepped our bikes, and enjoyed touring the beautiful preserve from the seats of our bikes.
Well Worth the Change in Plans
This ride proved well worth the change in plans treating us to a beautiful, yet challenging ride through the preserve and around two beautiful lakes. Following our route along the wide carriage trails, our first point-of-interest was a beautiful waterfalls with a few small falls downstream. Our climb back up from the falls to lakeside was just over three miles and included some very steep climbing, so steep that we had to stop and push our bikes on a section of larger loose gravel.
Once at Lake Awosting, we rode to the start of the Awosting Trail that loops around the lake and were surprised to see a sign warning of a rough trail ahead. The three-mile trail was technical with rocks, roots, mud, and standing water. It was definitely more difficult than anything I’d ridden recently and I loved the challenge.
After leaving the technical trail around the lake, we were back on smooth gravel carriage roads as we climbed to the top of Millbrook Mountain. We stopped often taking pictures of the spectacular views, and once at the top, parked our bikes to relax as we took in the amazing vistas in the valley below. The ride down the mountain and back to the visitor center was fast and fun!
Ride Overview
- • Ride Name: Minnewaska Highlights
- • Location: Minnewaska State Park Preserve
- • Start/Finish: Minnewaska Vistor Center
- • Course Type: Two elongated loops with an out and back
- • Course Surface: gravel
- • Bike: Salsa Warbird
- • Distance: 24.6 miles
- • Time: 2:58:32
- • Average Speed: 8.3 MPH
- • Maximum Speed: 20.4 MPH
- • Elevation Gain: 2,018 feet
- • Elevation Range: 1,260 to 2,224 feet
- • Temperature Range: 48° to 66° (dropping to 49° at highest elevation)
- • Ride with GPS: Link to turn-by-turn navigation cue sheet
- • Course Map:
Fun Pictures From Along the Way
Most of the following pictures were taken with my iPhone (affiliate link); however, a special shoutout goes to my husband who captured pictures while riding with his Insta 360 camera (affiliate link).
View behind the visitor center of Lake Minnewaska…
The beautiful waterfalls was well worth the side trip…
Riding on the carriage road along the rocky stream below the falls…
As we climbed toward Lake Awosting, a 3-plus mile climb, we had to push our bikes up a section where the grade was steeper and the gravel larger…
Lake Awosting photobombing our selfie…
The “Caution Rough Trail Ahead” sign wasn’t kidding, the next 3.2 miles of epic technical trail included small rocks, larger rocks, mud pits, and shallow water holes…
Far end of Lake Awosting…
Lake Awosting from a higher elevation…
Working my way up to Millbrook Mountain on the wide carriage roads…
Patterson’s Pellet…
Bikes parked to get to the overlook…
Magnificent view of New Paltz Valley…
Continuing on to the highest point of Millbrook Mountain…
My husband has an eye for the perfect picture…
View from the top of Millbrook Mountain, Lake Awosting in the distance…
Summit selfie…
Salsa and ferns…
Having fun going down the mountain…
Finishing up at the visitor center with Lake Minnewaska in the background…
Garmin Stats
Post-ride Garmin (affiliate link)
Garmin map and graphs…
Final Thoughts on the Ride
I am so glad we took the detour to Minnewaska State Park Preserve and even happier that we decided to make the most of our visit with a ride. Overall, it was challenging, but not particularly difficult with the technical trail just adding a little spice to the day. Given the chance, I’d absolutely ride this route again!
Questions:
- • Have you visited Minnewaska State Park Preserve? ~ This was my first visit.
- • Are there carriage roads in parks near you? ~ Until Acadia National Park last fall, I’d not ridden or run on carriage roads. We do occasionally come across fire roads.
- • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride? ~ Pictures, always pictures, unless I’m racing!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
Oh wow, what a beautiful ride! Perfect weather, too!
That lake with those autumn trees…. absolutely spectacular.
That technical trail section reminds me very much of our trails here around the Table Mountain national park – so rocky!!
I love that it seems so quiet and untouched. Perhaps because it was a weekday? Or is it generally an area where there aren’t too many hikers/bikers/tourists?
We were lucky with the weather on our trip to New England with the exception of one day and you’ll read about it in an upcoming recap – that day was miserable! I follow a guy on Facebook who gives bike tours in the area. He took a group to Minnewaska two weeks later and the trees were at peak color and absolutely stunning!
And yes, we practically had the carriage roads to ourselves. We were there on a Friday so that could have had a lot to do with the lighter traffic, but I don’t know for sure.
Wow those photos are just stunning! I love how adventurous you all are on your bikes and that you have adventures together!
Thanks, Deborah!
UGH…my comments are not working (I think it’s something with my phone?). Anyways, this looks like such a fabulous trip! The fall colors look beautiful, and the pics of the water are breathtaking. So jealous….
Yes, it was a fabulous trip!
Wow, beautiful photos! Gorgeous weather too. Thank you for taking us along on your adventure.
Thanks, Zenaida!
Sometimes a change in plans can be a good thing and this is proof! This looks like a very fun trip and the photos are gorgeous!!
Thanks, Kim!