Where to catch a train into NYC?

[wornoutboots]

I leave tomorrow for a section from Bennington, VT sobo to DWG & I am wondering: if I decide I would like to see NYC for the 1st time where is the place on the trail to catch a train into the city?
Is it simple or complicated? Not really a big city guy, but may want to check it out.

Thanks!

[Alligator]

The trail crosses the train line at Pawling,NY although I don't know how often it stops at that platform. You could also go into Wingdale, NY and there is a station there. Couple of different possibilities on that line, it's the Harlem line part of the Metro North system. Pittsfield, MA has a station there with bus and train but I am not sure if that train line runs to NYC. Some other ways too by bus. You could take the bus from DWG to NYC.

[wornoutboots]

Thanks Gator!!

[Old Grouse]

The trail crosses the train line at Pawling,NY although I don't know how often it stops at that platform. You could also go into Wingdale, NY and there is a station there. Couple of different possibilities on that line, it's the Harlem line part of the Metro North system. Pittsfield, MA has a station there with bus and train but I am not sure if that train line runs to NYC. Some other ways too by bus. You could take the bus from DWG to NYC.

You can walk north to Wingdale or south to Pawling. Pawling is very slightly more distant but there's more to do there (shops, etc) while waiting for the train than you'll find at Wingdale. So I'd recommend that.

[Alligator]

You can walk north to Wingdale or south to Pawling. Pawling is very slightly more distant but there's more to do there (shops, etc) while waiting for the train than you'll find at Wingdale. So I'd recommend that.Good suggestion! I've used both stops but it was a while ago. I liked the Chinese food from Great Wall in Pawling but if you are heading into NYC I'm sure better could be had. But you could get pizza in NY...endless choices!

As a matter of fact, I started out of Pawling for a section around this time of year. I had good luck at the Great Wall. I stopped in to grab dinner and was going to take it with me and stop a little ways in on the trail to eat. Nice fellow saw my pack and offered me a lift to the trailhead. I think I had my takeout in my pack but it may have been on top. Less than a mile in northbound I stopped near some trees near a field to eat, the sun was heading down. I took out my takeout in its nice white plastic bag getting ready to eat and that's when the shooting started! Just a reminder if it's hunting season, blaze orange is a good idea, plastic white bags not so much!

[wornoutboots]

Thanks Old Grouse!! I will look into that!!

I am also looking at an exit plan once I hit DWG. Probably hitch 4 miles to Stroudsburg and grab a bus to the airport with the cheapest flight back to Cincinnati (maybe Philly?)

I appreciate y'all!!

[GoldenBear]

There are innumerable buses that go from Delaware Water Gap ("DWG") into New York City.
https://martzbus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Customer-Notice-NY-Schedule-Updated-10.1.22.docx.pdf

[Slo-go'en]

The Martz Bus station is about a 1/4 mile, 15 minute brisk walk from the church hostel in the DWG. I timed it so I'd get to the bus on time. I also bought the ticket the day before, so I didn't have to deal with a delay in the morning. Lots of commuters use these buses and can be sold out, so it's important to find one with an available seat which gets you to NYC in time to make other connections. I had to take one much earlier than I would have preferred. The buses leave once an hour starting at like 5AM.

[somers515]

I doubt that this is something that would interest you but I always thought it was kinda neat that you could follow the Long Path and literally take a hiking trail directly to NYC over the George Washington Bridge. Obviously there is not much in the way of legal camping as you get closer to NYC. If I recall correctly I believe the Long Path intersects with the AT in Harriman State Park.

The train mentioned indeed doesn't stop very often at all but if the times work out for you that would be my choice. And as others have mentioned the decent bus service is probably your most likely bet from the DWG. Interstate 80 leads straight from there into NYC. Have a great trip!

[Alligator]

Thanks Old Grouse!! I will look into that!!

I am also looking at an exit plan once I hit DWG. Probably hitch 4 miles to Stroudsburg and grab a bus to the airport with the cheapest flight back to Cincinnati (maybe Philly?)

I appreciate y'all!!Another airport in that area is Lehigh Valley International Airport. I've never flown in or out of there but Greyhound will take you to Allentown and that's where the airport is. You can also get to Philly using Greyhound and as mentioned NYC but Martz Trailways also goes to NYC. You may be able to use Greyhound out of the Martz station which is easy walking distance from the DWG bridge but Greyhound lists Stroudsburg and the Martz Station is in East Stroudsburg.

[GoldenBear]

There are still other ways to take mass transit from The Trail directly into New York City

At Bear Mountain, and near Agony Grind
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/139404-One-night-2-day-hike-near-NYC?p=2284569&highlight=#post2284569
Near High Point State Park
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/128927-Getting-to-New-Jersey?p=2201724&highlight=#post2201724
At Greenwood Lake, and near NY-Connecticut border
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/128481-Getting-To-From-Each-End-of-NY-(Section-Hike-Transportation-Help)?p=2195288&highlight=#post2195288

[Mouser999]

Unless they changed the schedule, the train stops at the AT platform only stopped there 1x a day on the weekends in each direction. If you didn't get this train you had to go to Pawling Station.
The Martz station at DWG (in 2019) did not have wifi unless the buses were at the station. This may have changed

[GoldenBear]

Here's the latest schedule:

https://new.mta.info/document/97601

The Harlem Line of the Metro North Train stops at the "Appalachian Trail" Station, going into New York City, WEEKENDS *ONLY*, at 2:35pm, 4:35pm, and 6:35pm
It departs from Grand Central Station with a stop at the A.T. Station, after a change in trains -- again, weekends only -- at 7:09am and 9:09am.

[justhike]

The Metro-North Railroad (MNR) Harlem line is the train that crosses the AT at the 'Appalachian Trail' platform, ~nobo mm1452.6. The train stops at this platform only on weekends and some holidays - twice in the morning with outbound (northbound out of NYC) trains, and three afternoon times (~2, 4 & 6pm) for inbound trains.

Many more times are available for the regular stations on that line, including Pawling (in town center), Wingdale, etc., and it is a commuter rail, so operates every day of the week.

Currently, through ~November 20, 2022, ALL of the stations on this line north of Southeast (includes Pawling, AT, Wingdale...etc up to northernmost station at Wassaic) are being served by BUSES due to 'extensive track maintenance'. This can cause some delays, and add a bit of confusion, but all stations continue to be served.

Find me on the shuttle list at mm1458.5 (between Kent CT and Pawling NY). Happy to help you find train times and get you to a station if I'm available!

[HankIV]

Not relevant to the OP, but Amtrak runs from Rutland to Penn Station. About five hrs.

[BillyGr]

The trail crosses the train line at Pawling,NY although I don't know how often it stops at that platform. You could also go into Wingdale, NY and there is a station there. Couple of different possibilities on that line, it's the Harlem line part of the Metro North system. Pittsfield, MA has a station there with bus and train but I am not sure if that train line runs to NYC. Some other ways too by bus. You could take the bus from DWG to NYC.
You could take Amtrak from Pittsfield to Rensselaer/Albany NY, and then south to NYC. However, it is probably not the easiest to do, as the Albany to Boston train is limited (may still be only once per day), and I don't know how easily it would interact with the ones from Albany to NYC (though those are far more frequent).

Also, the trail itself is on the opposite side of Pittsfield (actually runs through Dalton) from the train station, so you would need some type of ride to access it, most likely.

[NY HIKER 50]

No one mentions Manitou near Bear Mountain. Or Garrison near Graymoor (a bit of a walk). You can also go into Peekskill from the trail (6 miles)

[Alligator]

You could take Amtrak from Pittsfield to Rensselaer/Albany NY, and then south to NYC. However, it is probably not the easiest to do, as the Albany to Boston train is limited (may still be only once per day), and I don't know how easily it would interact with the ones from Albany to NYC (though those are far more frequent).

Also, the trail itself is on the opposite side of Pittsfield (actually runs through Dalton) from the train station, so you would need some type of ride to access it, most likely.I rode the bus out of Pittsfield. I recall calling a cab because I exited the woods close to departure time and the bus station wasn't particularly close. Not sure about the transfer you mention.

[BillyGr]

I rode the bus out of Pittsfield. I recall calling a cab because I exited the woods close to departure time and the bus station wasn't particularly close. Not sure about the transfer you mention.
The station is for both bus & train, and it is definitely not close to any access of the trail (be it the Pittsfield Road crossing, where it runs through Dalton or through Cheshire), as all of those are on the eastern side of Pittsfield proper, while the station is pretty much in downtown, closer to the western side of Pittsfield.

As far as trains, I know they do run to/from Boston and stop at that station, but that train then continues west towards Buffalo (and eventually Chicago), which is why a transfer would be needed at Albany to head south for NYC.

Thus, it is certainly possible to do the trip, the question is just how easy (or more likely difficult) it can be with schedules and such (maybe even more difficult if someone is trying to return to the trail at that same spot than getting from the trail into NYC was).

[Alligator]

Not relevant to the OP, but Amtrak runs from Rutland to Penn Station. About five hrs.That's the Ethan Allen line of Amtrak and it stops in Albany, which is where BillyGr is talking about as a transfer.


The station is for both bus & train, and it is definitely not close to any access of the trail (be it the Pittsfield Road crossing, where it runs through Dalton or through Cheshire), as all of those are on the eastern side of Pittsfield proper, while the station is pretty much in downtown, closer to the western side of Pittsfield.

As far as trains, I know they do run to/from Boston and stop at that station, but that train then continues west towards Buffalo (and eventually Chicago), which is why a transfer would be needed at Albany to head south for NYC.

Thus, it is certainly possible to do the trip, the question is just how easy (or more likely difficult) it can be with schedules and such (maybe even more difficult if someone is trying to return to the trail at that same spot than getting from the trail into NYC was).What I meant about not knowing about the transfer is how long the wait might be. But it's relatively short (at least on one date I looked at during the week). There's a 4:42pm train out of Pittsfield to Albany, an hour and 5m wait, then Albany to NYC. That's pretty good actually. Greyhound transfers can sometimes be really atrocious! You can also go east to Springfield and transfer to a southbound train. There are multiple options that way most with a second transfer although the Vermonter (Amtrak) does stop in Springfield on the way to NYC (this one is also longer than going through Albany). I've never really found much of a benefit personally for Springfield as a hub but the Lake Shore or the Maple Leaf might work for some coming from the Great Lakes. The Maple Leaf gets to Albany then one could use the Ethan Allen line to go north or south. Lake Shore to Springfield picks up the Vermonter. I've used both the Ethan Allen and the Vermonter on sections.

As far as the OP, the Cardinal runs from NYP to Cincinnati! That one's only 3 days a week though.

[wornoutboots]

Hey everyone, the trip was Amazing & I was happy to nail Fantastic weather the whole up until the very last night camping at the Mohican Center where my water bottles & filter froze solid. (hike was from 10/21-11/16 318 miles with 1 zero)

Just a follow up if anyone is going to finish, end in DWG or when passing through: I stayed 2 nights (max) at the Church of the Mountains Hostel, Super people!! Then I moved over to the DWG Clarion, the next day, I walk the 1/2 mile up the the Greyhound station and took that into NYC, caught another bus to the Newark airport.

A few recommendations for those coming through DWG, put it on your list to make reservations at the Deerhead Inn for the music (and dinner if desired, heck you can even stay there if you want?)!! It is the oldest continuously operating Jazz Club in the nation. www.deerheadinn.com

Secondly, stroll @ 1 mile out of town past the Clarion & visitors center, is a must hit, the iconic Minisink Hotel an old stage coach building in a beautiful creekside setting, no link, they are only on FB. Great Food, Great drinks, and Great Atmosphere!

A little about the hike and planning: It was incredible, I flew from Cincy to Albany on 10/20 took a bus to Bennington, walked the 1/2 mile to the Catamont Motel where Pete the owner is Super Hiker friendly and offers shuttles to and from the trailhead. Then I jumped right into the Crayola box of colors and Super weather (65-low 70's high mid 40's-low 50's night)!! I did note that the NY section was way more rockier than I had expected, they did not miss a rock wall in their route planning. I took one zero at Maria's in Salisbury, CT. 93 year old trail angel. I saw several flip-floppers and a few lashers like myself and enjoyed some of the iconic shelters/ camps like Father Tom's, RHP shelter. and the "secret shelter" where I spent the whole afternoon waiting out the rain.

Thanks again everyone for your input!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!