Van Cortlandt Park hides some of the city's best riding — the flat old Putnam rail-trail, wooded paths, and parkland around the nation's oldest public golf course — and a guided tour stitches it together with history you'd otherwise pedal right past. Wilderness Voyageurs are professional trip outfitters, so the pacing and route-finding are handled; you just ride. It's an easy way to discover how un-city-like the Bronx's biggest park really feels.
What to expect
Expect a group ride at a conversational pace with stops for park history and scenery, mostly on flat trails and paths. Check tour details for whether bikes are provided or bring-your-own, and expect a couple of hours in the saddle.
Good to know
- Departs near the Van Cortlandt golf course building
- Take the 1 to 242nd St; the meeting area is a short ride/walk in
- Confirm bike and helmet arrangements when booking
- The Putnam Trail portion is flat and gravel — beginner-friendly
- Bring water and sun protection
- Van Cortlandt's golf course is the oldest public course in the U.S.
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
Do I need my own bike?
Check the tour listing when booking — outfitter-led tours sometimes include bikes and sometimes are bring-your-own.
How hard is the riding?
The park's signature trails, like the old Putnam rail corridor, are flat and unpaved — comfortable for casual riders in reasonable shape.
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