Type: Paved Path/Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Yes
Filed Under: Running
The following description is excerpted from "Cross Country Running" by Marc Bloom, editor, "The Harrier":
"Van Cortlandt Park is America's cross country Mecca. It is not paradise by any means. It has not the prettiest course nor the most difficult. It does not have the best facilities. It is just that it lies smack in the middle of the most populous megalopolis, in an area rich in cross countryh tradition, where sponsors and those of influence have chosen to operate. Located as it is on the fringe of New York City, Van Cortlandt is most accessible. Public transportation funnels there from every neighborhood in the city. The subways are close by. Highways and turnpikes touch the park from distant locales in heighboring states.
Therefore, in a given season, more runners race its trails than any other cross country site in the nation, if not the world."
There are two loops, put together they equal 5.1 miles:
1. The first 3.1 mile loop starts near Broadway on the Parade Ground. After crossing the flats, go up the cowpath (a gravel path with partially buried wooden beams every 100 yards for errosion control) and around Cemetery Hill to a bridge at about 1 1/2 miles that crosses Henry Hudson Parkway. Turn right and cross the bridge for a loop through the Black Hills back to the bridge. After crossing the bridge continue around the cowpath to the flats where the 3 mile loop finishes.
2. For the second two mile loop, repeat the flats. Then along the cowpath take a sharp left up onto the infamous Cemetery Hill, a steep, rocky incline that rises about a hundred feet during its length of 300 yards. Its peak stands 150 feet above sea level. It's a killer in a cross country race. Runners die up there. They're dead and buried, laid to rest.
Directions to Van Cortlandt Park:
By subway: IRT #1 or #9 north to last stop, 242nd Street. Walk north about 300 yards, park is on your right. These trains can be accessed from Times Square or Penn Station.
By car:
From New Jersey and Points South & West: Take Interstate routes (I-95, I-78, I-80) to George Washington Bridge. Follow signs keeping you on I-95 for about 1 mile off bridge, then exit at I-87 North. Take I-87 North (also called the Major Deegan Expressway) approximately 3-4 miles to Van Cortlandt Park exit. Bear right off exit. Go about 1/4 mile and bear right onto Broadway (you'll be parallel to elevated train). Go through 2 traffic lights and VCP parade grounds are on the right.
From New England, Points North & East: Take I-95 south to Cross Bronx Expressway (this is still I-95 south) and exit at Major Deegan Expressway (I-87 north). This is one of the last exits before the George Washington Bridge. Take I-87 north (also called Major Deegan Expressway) approximately 3-4 miles to Van Cortlandt Park exit. Bear right off exit. Go about 1/4 mile and bear right onto Broadway (you'll be parallel to elevated train). Go through 2 traffic lights and VCP parade grounds are on the right.
From Upstate New York, Points North & West: I-87 South over Tappan Zee Bridge; go approximately 20 miles after bridge and exit at Van Cortlandt Park South exit. Make a right at traffic light, then bear right onto Broadway (you'll be parallel to elevated train). Go through 2 traffic lights and VCP parade grounds are on the right.
Non-commercial vehicles can take the Taconic Parkway south to Saw Mill Parkway South. Follow signs to Henry Hudson Parkway, and exit at Broadway exit. Make a left at light onto Broadway and go 1/4 mile south. VCP parade grounds are on the right.
Parking lots are at 240th Street and Broadway, and adjacent to the Van Cortlandt Golf Course (follow brown signs to VCPGC)
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