Rosendale Trestle
Shawangunk Ridge

Rosendale Trestle

Image Credit: Brett Cole

On its 22-mile journey from the southern border of Gardiner to Kingston, New York, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail offers quiet arbors, access to ever-chilly caverns and breathtaking views of rivers and gorges.  

One highlight of the Rail Trail is the Rosendale Trestle, a 19th-century former railroad span winding 150 feet above the Rondout Creek. This iconic feature appears prominently over the Village of Rosendale’s bustling Main Street.   

From eyesore to community asset

In 2009, our purchase of the 940-foot long Rosendale Trestle was the first step in protecting one of the region's premier landscapes, and turned a dilapidated railroad bridge into a community asset.

Our acquisition included 11.5 miles of rail trail between New Paltz and Kingston, which doubled the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and increased public access to the trails.

Next, we led the Track the Trestle Campaign to raise $1.1 million for structural improvements to the iconic structure that made it safe for public use again.

After the acquisition, we partnered with the Wallkill Valley Land Trust to open the Trestle to the public.

Thanks to the help of the community, our campaign was successful, and restoration of the trestle began.

Making connections

Since its opening in 2013, thousands of people have crossed the Rosendale Trestle, and we are thrilled visitors can enjoy the incredible views that capture the heart and character of the entire Hudson Valley. 

Investing in open space is how we help build more environmentally sustainable communities, while partners such as the Wallkill Valley Land Trust help us accomplish shared goals of preserving the human and natural well-being of the region.

What You Can Do

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