Updated: March 31, 2026
The 7 Best Motorcycle Rides in New York (2026): From the Catskills to the Adirondaks
If you’re searching for the best motorcycle rides in New York, you’re looking at a map of the most diverse terrain in the Northeast. I’ve personally scouted and ridden every route on this list—from the technical, cliffside hairpins of the Hawk’s Nest to the deep, high-elevation forests of the Adirondacks. For the 2026 season, I’ve updated this guide with the latest NYSDOT pavement alerts, including fresh asphalt reports for Route 30 and the Catskill Mountains. Whether you’re searching for ‘motorcycle rides near me’ while touring the Hudson Valley or planning an epic North Country loop, this guide provides the GPX files (for Patreon members), visual narratives, and technical analysis you need to find your ‘flow state’ on the Empire State’s best tarmac.
Tips for MOTORCYCLE RIDES IN NEW YORK
Planning a 2026 NY trip? As of April, watch for fresh paving on Route 30 in the Adirondacks—a pristine ribbon for summer! Remember that NY elevation changes are extreme; the Catskills can be 15° cooler than NYC. Always scan for deer in the Hudson Valley during ‘Golden Hour’ and check for Taconic Parkway construction before your weekend run.
BEST MOTORCYCLE ROUTES IN THE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
The Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York offer some of the best motorcycle rides in the state. If you’re looking for places to ride a motorcycle in the Adirondack Mountains, these are the 2 best routes to take:
–
Malone to Otter Lake
on NY-30 and NY-28
–
Paul Smiths to Underwood
on routes NY-86 and NY-73
IS THERE A MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAW IN NEW YORK?
While you’re discovering great motorcycle roads in NY, keep in mind the state’s law. All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear approved motorcycle helmets as defined by USDOT. Additionally, all motorcyclists must wear approved eye protection even if the motorcycle has a windshield. Read more here.
Check out our new video on the Best Motorcycle Roads in NY ! See what it’s like to ride the Hawks Nest, the Catskill Mountains and the best of the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Join our 44K subscribers on YouTube today!
1. The Adirondack Trail: The Ultimate High-Peak Sweep
- ROUTE: NY-30, NY-28
- DISTANCE: 138 miles
- TIME: 3 hours
- TECHNICAL RATING: Intermediate
- BEST TIME TO RIDE: Late June-Sept
The Ride Experience
Riding from Malone to Otter Lake is a 138-mile visual narrative that tracks the transition from the rolling meadows of the Canadian border into the vertical heart of the Adirondack High Peaks. As a scout who has documented every mile of this run, I consider it the ultimate therapeutic endurance ride. The road is a rhythmic series of massive sweepers that hug the shorelines of Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake. The true “reveal” happens as you crest the ridges near Tupper Lake, where the horizon suddenly explodes with the silhouette of 4,000-foot peaks—a world-class motorcycling moment.
Technical Terrain Analysis
Navigating the northern half requires a keen eye for rhythmic frost heaves that tend to develop between Malone and Paul Smiths. These undulations can unsettle a stiff suspension at high speeds, so I recommend keeping your inputs smooth and your weight centralized. For the 2026 season, be alert for mobile work crews; NYSDOT infrastructure projects are currently active in Franklin County, meaning you may encounter fresh “black-top” ribbons or temporary pilot cars through the summer.
As you transition onto NY-28, be prepared for significant micro-climates . Because the route carves through deep, shaded notches, the temperature can drop 15°F in minutes. These lake-side basins often hold residual spring sand in the apexes well into June. Early morning riders should also watch for “Adirondack Blue” mist—dense fog that can reduce visibility to the next apex until the sun finally clears the peaks around 10:00 AM.
Logistics & Biker-Friendly Stops
- Hoss’s Country Corner (Long Lake): The unofficial headquarters for North Country riders. Park the bikes, grab a “trail-ready” sandwich from the deli, and stock up on gear.
- The Adirondack Hotel: Located directly across from the lake, the historic porch is the premier spot for a long lunch and some quality “bike-watching” as the afternoon crowd rolls through.
- Old Forge: As you reach the southern end of the trail, Old Forge serves as your primary hub for hearty meals and mechanical checks before heading back to civilization.
- Fuel Strategy: This is wilderness riding. Fuel up in Malone and top off in Tupper Lake. Once you dive into the Central Adirondacks, gas stations and cell signals become scarce—know your range before you drop the clutch.
> Click here for the Google Maps Adirondack Trail Route Link
> Unlock the Full Adirondack GPX files on Patreon
2. The High Peaks & Olympic Run: Paul Smiths to the Great Northway
- ROUTES: NY-86, NY-73
- DISTANCE: 56 miles
- TIME: 1 hour
- TECHNICAL RATING: Advanced (Elevation drops)
- BEST TIME TO RIDE: Early June-Sept
This motorcycle road in New York through the Adirondack Mountains connects from Route 30 and Route 9. East of the famous Lake Placid, Route 73 is particularly impressive, riding along the Giant Mountain Wilderness region. Just west of Keene, is a portion of road that carves itself beside the Cascade Mountain and Cascade Lake. The views here are breathtaking as you navigate the narrow mountain road. With great villages, towns and amenities, this will offer great upstate NY scenery for traveling motorcyclists. Find out why NY-86 and NY-73 are some of the best New York motorcycle rides in the state!
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
3. US Route 20
ROUTE: US-20
DISTANCE: 95 miles
TIME: 2 hours
New York’s longest surface road is also one of the best motorcycle roads in the state. Motorcycle riders will experience a variety of elevation changes as the road repeatedly switches between two and four lanes. This scenic NY motorcycle ride climbs high ground and descends into valley ridges. Portions of this historic road is named Cherry Valley Turnpike, and expands among vast hillsides and farmland. It’s a nice, wide road, with lots of history along the way. The best part of the route to ride by motorcycle is from Pompey, NY to Esperance, NY.
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
4. NY Route 22
ROUTE: NY-22
DISTANCE: 124 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
One of the best motorcycle rides in New York is NY-22, which is a fantastic route through the foothills of the Berkshires. Route 22 can be taken all the way up to the Canadian border, but some of the best riding is from Comstock, NY to Millerton, NY. Rolling hills and farmland occupies this relaxing scenic road as you ride among the twists of the eastern part of the state, close to the Massachusetts and Vermont state lines. Further south towards Millerton, the road really opens up with incredible views of the nearby mountains. Motorcyclists will not get much by way of traffic on this route, making it a leisurely but thoroughly enjoyable ride you would not want to miss!
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
EXPLORE MORE >>
5. Upper Delaware Scenic Byway
ROUTE: NY-97
DISTANCE: 70 miles
TIME: 2 hours
This southern New York motorcycle ride runs along the Upper Delaware Scenic River region and through the scenic Hawk’s Nest. The Hawk’s Nest is a popular motorcycle destination for riders who travel from all over America to experience it. This great NY motorcycle road features numerous curves along granite walls and exceptional valley views of the Delaware River from hundreds of feet above. Due to the popularity of the scenic Hawk’s nest motorcycle ride, it’s best to plan this route on a weekday to avoid the crowds. There are also a lot of great back roads in this area to check out if you’re looking to explore the area. The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway is one of the best motorcycle rides near Manhattan, as it’s only about 1.5 hours away from the Big Apple.
(photo: flickr.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
6. Catskill to Deposit
ROUTES: NY-10, 30, 28, 214, 23A
DISTANCE: 116 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
If you’re looking for a scenic motorcycle ride in New York, check out this route from Catskill, NY to Deposit, NY. The scenery by motorcycle is spectacular. You’ll spend the day surrounded by the Catskill Mtn. range, carving your way through mountain passes and skirting along crystal clear reservoirs and rivers. NY-23A is an adrenaline rush along Kaaterskill Falls, while NY-214 offers a mixture of open straights with beautifully smooth pavement quality. Then on the western section of the route, NY-10 features one of the best motorcycle rides in the state along the Cannonsville Reservoir. This motorcycle route makes for a great day ride in the Catskills. Be sure to connect to the nearby Hawk’s Nest, and enjoy diverse landscapes through a gorgeous section of New York!
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
7. Seven Lakes Drive
ROUTE: Seven Lakes Dr
DISTANCE: 17 miles
TIME: 30 mins
This is one of the best motorcycle rides near New York City. Seven Lakes Drive is a beautiful road through Harriman State Park. The route starts at the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River, and continues south for 17 miles to Hwy 87. It’s a relaxing ride with beautiful lake scenery. If you’re looking to explore more of this state park area, be sure to check out Kanawauke Rd and Arden Valley Rd, both of which connect off this route. These roads are a bit more technical with hairpin turns weaving around the surrounding lakes. If you’re looking for the best motorcycle routes near NYC, be sure to travel through the Harriman State Park area!
(photo: flickr.com)
Click here for the
Google maps motorcycle route link
Looking for more NY motorcycle roads?
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ROUTE PLANNING
Maps showing where routes are located within each US state.
GPX FILES
GPX files are available for download with each US motorcycle route.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS
Exclusive video content on the best motorcycle rides
MORE ROUTES
Bonus motorcycle routes for US & Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local NY Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in New York!
US Route 9W to Hudson Valley is withing two hours ride from NYC. Harriman State Park is within one hour drive from the city, and offers some great riding. if you’re willing to venture to New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap region is approximately an hour and a half ride west from NYC.
Any bloggers or website articles that would like to use these routes, please refer to the
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WHERE CAN I FIND SCENIC MOTORCYCLE ROUTES NEAR ME AROUND NEW YORK?
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle roads and rides near New York and the Northeast United States. Discover more great motorcycle roads in the Northeast with our detailed route descriptions and Google Maps links!
