The 3 Best Train Trestles in the Hudson Valley

You don't have to be a train enthusiast to enjoy one of the most impressive engineering feats in American history.

Railroads did much to change the landscape of the entire United States, but here in New York, there are a few train bridges (also known as trestles or viaducts depending on the construction) that have found their home in the record books.

Record-Setting Train Trestles and Bridges in the Hudson Valley

In the Hudson Valley, there are three train trestles that stand out among the rest. One is the tallest and longest active trestle east of the Mississippi River, one has been transformed into the largest pedestrian bridge in the world, and another is just too beautiful to ignore.

The Walkway Over the Hudson

One of the most famous structures in the Hudson Valley is the span that connects Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY: the Walkway Over the Hudson (above and below). Once the longest bridge on the planet, it has been transformed into "the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world"... and visiting is easy.

Visit the Walkway Over the Hudson in the Hudson Valley

The Walkway Over the Hudson is accessible from both Poughkeepsie, NY and Highland, NY, with bathrooms, water fountains, and select food truck vendors on the Highland side. But what about a trestle that still supports trains?

The Longest Train Trestle in New York State

The longest and tallest working trestle in New York (and the entire eastern half of the country) is in Orange County, NY. The Moodna Viaduct (above and below) is 3,200 feet long and nearly 200 feet tall, and both passenger and freight trains still use it today.

Ride Over the Moodna Viaduct in Orange County, NY

Interested travelers can take the Port Jervis Line on Metro-North, with Salisbury Mills-Cornwall as the nearest stop to the viaduct. Visitors looking for a more well-kept secret, however, should take the time to explore another trestle in Ulster County.

Visit the Rosendale Trestle in Rosendale, NY

Another former train bridge (and a true "trestle") that has been transformed into a scenic pedestrian walkway is part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in Rosendale, NY. The Rosendale trestle (above and below), is nearly 1,000 feet long and offers stunning vies of the town of Rosendale and the Rondout Creek below.

While these three spans used to (or still) support trains, there are far more local engineering marvels supporting foot and vehicle traffic across the Hudson Valley. Check them out below.