Impact

OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO PADDLE NOW

Hudson River, NY. by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current.

by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current. Hudson River, NY.

HUDSON RIVER GREENWAY WATER TRAIL

The Hudson River widens as it flows past, just 1 block from my home and the BeautifulNow office in New York City, headed south, towards its mouth, where the Statue of Liberty witnesses its merge with the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of our favorite nearby places.

Hudson River, NY.

We love to take walks, bike rides, and drives along the river. It’s a thrill to sail as well. And when we have a bit more time for an excursion, we head north, up-river, to the beautiful historic Hudson Valley.

Hudson River, NY.

The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail (HRGWT) is a wonderful way to explore this majestic river. Established in 2001, this small boat trail makes for adventures great and small, from its source in the Adirondack Mountains, to its sea outlet at the southern tip of Manhattan, encompassing 256 miles of river and canal.

Hudson River, NY.

Part of the National Recreation Trails (NRT) program, the HRGWT is a central element of both the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Hudson River, NY.

The earliest river travelers were Native Americans, followed by European settlers in the 17th century. Today, the river trail is a joy for kayakers and canoeists, with one or more access points at least every 10 miles along both shores, making for extraordinary day trips and overnights, with camping & B&B accommodations about every 15 miles.

Hudson River, NY.

There are plenty of things to see & do along the river, including wildlife marshes, islands, hiking trails, historic towns and sites. They are easy to reach from over 100 HRGWT designated access sites.

Hudson River, NY.

HRGWT is open to paddlers of all experience levels, including those with disabilities. However, each must consider tides, wind, currents, commercial ships, fast recreational boats, and rapid weather changes along their journey.

Hudson River, NY.

Photographer Chad Hunt has recently developed a particular love for Hudson River. While his family has owned a country retreat in the Northern Catskills, right near the river, for a number of years, several months ago, Hunt developed kayak fever. He began paddling along the river every morning that he possibly could.

Hudson River, NY.

“My family and I have been going to the Hudson Valley for over 10 years. We have a little cottage near the river, and while we enjoy hikes and exploring nearby towns, we have always talked about getting kayaks.

Then, shortly after Father’s Day this year, Hunt’s wife said, “enough is enough. You need to buy a kayak so you can enjoy this river!”

Hudson River, NY.

Now Hunt has a new weekend morning ritual. He rises at 5:00 a.m., makes coffee and a snack, and is in his kayak on the river by sunrise. “I float silently, sipping my coffee as I listen to nature slowly wake up around me,” Hunt tells us.

Hudson River, NY.

Hunt mainly traverses the river between the historic towns of Athens and Catskill, sometimes south to Saugerties. “Along this part of the river there are several bald eagle nests and more osprey than I can count!” Hunt exclaims. “Sometimes a beaver splashes to welcome me.”

Hudson River, NY.

Though the stretch is the same, Hunt sees something different every time he ventures out. And while the views are stunning, the feeling is priceless. “I will say that paddling on the Hudson river at sunrise is better than an hour of therapy ....and definitely cheaper,” Hunt tells us.

Hudson River, NY.

Hunt has won numerous awards throughout the course of his career as a photojournalist. His images have appeared in a range of national publications, including Time Magazine and The New York Times. Some are in permanent museum collections.

“The Hudson River.” Kingston, NY.

Check out HRGWT’s interactive PLAN YOUR TRIP feature which can help you decide where to launch and take-out, including tide information and real-time weather.

Get more info about Hudson Valley trails at American Trails. Check out Wind Against Current, for thoughts on kayaking, science & life. And share your favorite nearby places with us on our BN Share and BN Facebook pages.

Hudson River, NY.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

Hudson River, NY.

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Hudson River, NY.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. Athens, NY.
Image: Courtesy of American Trails. Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. Hudson River, NY.
Image: Courtesy of American Trails. Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. Hudson River, NY.
Image: Courtesy of Hudson River Greenway Trail. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. Catskill, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. Staten Island, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. The Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Athens, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. Athens, NY.
Image: by Chad Hunt. “Good Morning Hudson River” series. Catskill, NY.
Image: by Darrin J. Oakley. “The Hudson River.” Kingston, NY.
Image: Courtesy of American Trails. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by Vladimir Brezina. Courtesy of Wind Against Current. Hudson River, NY.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: Courtesy of Hudson River Greenway Trail. Hudson River, NY.