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From The South: Take the Harlem River Dr. north until it ends at Dyckman St. Turn left onto Dyckman St., then left onto Ft. George Hill. The trailhead is about 30 yards up the hill on the left. Park on street. From The North: Take the Major Deegan to the Fordham Rd./207th St. bridge exit. Cross bridge into Manhattan, turn left onto Nagle Ave. (under elevated subway), veer right onto Ft. George Hill. Park on street. Public Transportation: Take the #1 train to Dyckman St. Trailhead is across Ft. George Hill. For the jump park, get off at the 191st St station and ride 3 blocks north on St. Nicholas Ave. Follow curve around the top of the hill and look for jump park by the playground.
General Description: Highbridge Park, located at the northern tip of Manhattan, NYC offers some of the best xc trails and technical mountain biking within an urban area. The park has the distinction of being host to the first of two legal mountain bike trail systems in New York City. The other is at Cunningham Park in Queens. The trails at Highbridge Park provide an opportunity for New York City and vicinity urban freeriders, xc mountain bikers, Downhillers and BMX riders to ride without having to travel far. Because the xc trails are short this isn’t really a travel destination, but rather a place for city residents and visitors to fit a challenging ride into a busy schedule. No matter what your style of riding may be, there is something here for everyone from cross country mountain bike trails, freeride trails to a beginner and intermediate dirt jump park with pump track. Highbridge Park is an urban oasis, comprised of around 120 acres of trees, pathways, glades and now mountain bike trails overlooking the Harlem River. (see Highbridge Park Trail Photos). It straddles a rocky cliff high above the Harlem River Drive between 155th St. and Dyckman St. The most prominent natural features are the impressive cliffs and rock outcroppings. In addition to the mountain bike trails and dirt jump park, facilities include the Recreation Center and Pool, playgrounds, ball fields, and nature trails. Highbridge Park gets its name from the city’s oldest standing bridge, the High Bridge (1848), built to carry the Old Croton Aqueduct over the Harlem River. The 1450 foot long bridge rises 138 feet above the Harlem River. It was part of the first reliable water supply to the city from the Croton River in Westchester, NY. The system was started in 1837 and completed in 1848. Overlooking the High Bridge and Recreation Center is the restored Water Tower (1872). Between the 17th and 19th centuries the area was home to scattered farms and estates. During the Revolution it was the site of the Battle of Fort Washington. General Washington used the Morris-Jumel Mansion (at the southern end of the park near Edgecomb Ave. and West 160th St.) as his headquarters from Sept-Oct 1776. The historic mansion is open to the public. Also nearby is the Dyckman House Museum, the only remaining Dutch colonial farmhouse in Manhattan and one of the oldest houses in the borough (Broadway at 204th St.).
Highbridge Park Mountain Bike Trails: There are trails here for everyone, from the beginner to advanced rider. City residents (others welcome) now have a place to hone their technical skills, or just get in a good workout after school or work. The advanced and freeride trails take advantage of the major natural feature of the park, taking riders across and down the magnificent cliffside overlooking the Harlem River. The trail designers paid homage to the amusement park once located at the site with the trail names “Wonderwall”, “Speedway”, and “Rough Ryder”. The challenging double-black diamond “Hellfighter” route is named after the WW1 all-black infantry unit in France. A Revolutionary War cannonball found when building the trails (possibly from the Battle of Harlem Heights) led to the name “Hessian Hill”. Green Circle Blaze: Blue Square Blaze: For the intermediate rider these trails offer fast, tight and twisty singletrack. There are small obstacles, such as roots and rocks, and short steep sections to make the ride challenging. Black Diamond Blaze: These trails offer the advanced rider steeper and tougher terrain. Expect a difficult ride with non-stop challenges! Double Black Diamond Blaze: These trails offer downhill and freeride terrain. You will need jump and drop skills to negotiate extreme features, including drops, berms, steeps and rock gardens. A full face helmet and body armor are required. Dirt Jump Park and Pump Track: The dirt jump park was designed by IMBA Trail Solutions with pros Judd DeVall, Jeff Lenosky and Kyle Ebbett. Included are a pump track, a beginner line with three small jumps, and an intermediate line with five tables and two berms Paved Hill Climb: The base of a paved, killer hill climb is located at the corner of Dyckman and Harlem River Drive. Great for a challenging warmup and workout.
For more information: The Highbridge Park trails were developed in partnership with C.L.I.M.B and NYCMTB (New York City Mountain Bike Association), organizations dedicated to the growth and safe enjoyment of mountain biking. NYCMTB helps maintain the trails and promotes events. They also have a great MTB video collection. (NYCMTB.com) See A Tale Of Two Trails In New York City for the legend of how the first legal mountain bike trails in Manhattan at Highbridge Park began.
NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation Website: NYC Department Of Parks and Recreation
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