Road	Length	High point
Adirondack Trail (NY-30) New York State Route 30, officially signed as the Adirondack Trail through the park interior, runs 300 miles from the New York Thruway near Fonda north to the Canadian border at Constable. The most celebrated section cuts 153 miles through the heart of Adirondack Park, linking Speculator, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, and Tupper Lake through continuous wilderness. The Indian Lake to Speculator section along the western shore of Indian Lake — where the surrounding mountains reflect off the water — is consistently cited as one of the most scenic motorcycle stretches in the Northeast.	119 mi	—
Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway (NY-28 / NY-214) The 52-mile Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway follows New York State Route 28 through the Central Catskills from Kingston west through Woodstock, Phoenicia, Shandaken, and Big Indian. Just past Phoenicia, NY-214 branches north through Stony Clove Notch — a narrow, heavily forested mountain pass between Hunter and Plateau Mountains — connecting to the Great Northern Catskills at Hunter. The corridor passes the Phoenicia Diner, the Catskill Center, and multiple trailheads into the Catskill High Peaks. NY-28 is a designated New York State Scenic Byway.	82 mi	—
Glenn H. Curtiss MuseumStop The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a 60,000-square-foot aviation and motorcycle history museum at 8419 NY-54, Hammondsport, NY 14840, at the southern tip of Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes. The museum preserves the legacy of Glenn Curtiss, the pioneering aviator and motorcycle racer who set the land speed record of 136.4 mph on a motorcycle in 1907 — then the fastest a human had ever traveled. Collections include early aircraft, original Curtiss motorcycles, vintage automobiles, hydroplanes, and engines. Hammondsport itself is a charming lakeside village and the hub of Keuka Lake wine country.	—	—
Great Lakes Seaway Trail (NY-104) New York State Route 104 is a 182-mile east-west highway that forms the backbone of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway — a 504-mile designated route tracing the freshwater shorelines of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River from Niagara Falls to the Pennsylvania border. NY-104 runs parallel to the southern shore of Lake Ontario through Niagara Falls, Lockport, Oswego, and into the North Country. The Seaway Trail is among the longest National Scenic Byways in the United States and designated in 1984; the New York sections offer Great Lakes vistas, historic War of 1812 forts, and lighthouses at regular intervals.	124 mi	—
Hawk's Nest / Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (NY-97) Port Jervis to Hancock, ~70 mi. Cliffside cut high above the Delaware River where Porsche/BMW commercials are filmed.	70 mi	—
Hawk's Nest / Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (NY-97) NY-97 follows the Delaware River roughly 70 miles from Port Jervis to Hancock as the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. The Hawk's Nest section just west of Port Jervis is a cliffside cut high above the river with classic stacked corners — a favorite filming location for car commercials — and it stays open year-round.	72 mi	—
Inspiration Point Overlook — Letchworth State ParkStop Inspiration Point Overlook is a roadside viewpoint on the main gorge drive inside Letchworth State Park, near Castile, NY 14427, often called the 'Grand Canyon of the East.' From this overlook, the Genesee River gorge drops 600 feet below, framing the Middle Falls (107 feet), Upper Falls (71 feet), and the historic Genesee Arch railroad bridge in a single view. The paved gorge road passes multiple pull-offs and is accessible by motorcycle via any of the park's four entrances. The park spans 14,350 acres in western New York.	—	—
Kaaterskill Clove (NY-23A) New York State Route 23A traverses Kaaterskill Clove — one of the steepest and most dramatic mountain passes in the Northeast — climbing 2,000 feet in roughly two miles between Palenville and Haines Falls in Greene County. The road was assigned in the mid-1920s as an alternate to NY-23 through the Catskills and passes directly beside Kaaterskill Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. The road crests at 2,300 feet near Tannersville before descending toward Hunter Mountain. It is a centerpiece of the Great Northern Catskills 'Grand Tour' motorcycle circuit and known for its tight switchbacks and waterfall views.	139 mi	—
Olympic Byway — Wilmington Notch (NY-86) New York State Route 86 forms the spine of the Olympic Trail Scenic Byway, a 33-mile corridor from Keeseville southwest to Lake Placid through Wilmington Notch — a tight river gorge on the West Branch Ausable River that's a noted fly-fishing destination. The road passes through Wilmington (gateway to NY-431/Whiteface) and enters Lake Placid, twice host of the Winter Olympics (1932, 1980). From Lake Placid, NY-73 branches southeast through Keene Valley toward the High Peaks, adding a high-elevation mountain pass segment popular with sport-touring riders.	32 mi	—
Perkins Memorial Drive — Bear MountainStop Perkins Memorial Drive is a paved toll road inside Bear Mountain State Park, Rockland County, NY 10911, that climbs to the 1,305-foot summit of Bear Mountain. At the top, a 40-foot stone observation tower (Perkins Memorial Tower, built 1934) provides views of four states, the Hudson River, and the Manhattan skyline 40 miles to the south. The drive begins near the Bear Mountain Inn on Seven Lakes Drive. The surrounding Harriman State Park offers over 200 miles of additional mountain roads, making this a natural anchor for Hudson Valley moto loops that often include the Bear Mountain Bridge and NY-9D.	—	—
Phoenicia DinerStop The Phoenicia Diner is a 1962 stainless-steel classic diner sitting directly on Route 28 in the heart of the Catskill Mountains at 5681 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY 12464. The diner serves elevated American diner fare — pancakes, eggs Benedict, and burgers — made from locally sourced Hudson Valley ingredients. It has become a cultural touchstone of the Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway and is a well-known stop on the 52-mile Route 28 corridor that passes through Woodstock, Phoenicia, and Shandaken. On weekends, the parking lot fills with motorcycles from New York City and the Hudson Valley.	—	—
Seneca Lake Scenic Byway (NY-414) New York State Route 414 runs 19 miles along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake — the largest of the Finger Lakes — from Watkins Glen north to Lodi, forming the official Seneca Lake Scenic Byway. The corridor passes through the heart of New York's wine country, bordered by more than 35 wineries and vineyards, with the lake visible through the vine rows to the west. Watkins Glen State Park anchors the southern terminus. The route pairs naturally with the western shore loop on NY-228 and NY-14 for a full lake circuit.	44 mi	—
Watkins Glen State Park Gorge EntranceStop Watkins Glen State Park, located at Franklin Street in Watkins Glen, NY 14891, is the most spectacular of the Finger Lakes gorges. Within two miles, the Glen Creek drops 400 feet past 200-foot walls of layered shale, generating 19 waterfalls. The lower gorge entrance on Franklin Street is reached by a short walk from the main parking lot. The park sits at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, within a short ride of the lake's wine-country back roads. A motorcycle parking area is available at the main entrance.	—	—
Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway SummitStop The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (New York State Route 431) is a five-mile toll road that climbs 2,300 feet to a parking area just 300 feet below the 4,867-foot summit of Whiteface Mountain — the fifth-highest peak in New York State. From the top, on a clear day, riders take in a 360-degree panorama spanning the Adirondack High Peaks, Lake Champlain, Vermont's Green Mountains, and the Montreal skyline. The road gains elevation quickly through open switchbacks and hairpins, making the ascent itself the attraction. A tunnel and elevator connect the parking area to the true summit castle.	—	—

//Rallies & events

Rally

Rally · Late May / early June, ~4 days

Americade

Lake George, NY, US

A touring-oriented motorcycle rally in the Adirondacks featuring demo rides, guided tours, an expo, and a Lake George block party, running since 1983. The 2026 edition ran May 27–30; 2027 dates are not yet announced.

NextDates TBA

ScaleUp to ~50,000 expected by organizers in recent years (Wikipedia / nysmusic.com)

Official site ↗

By Switchback · Updated 2026-07-08

Best season

May–October

Helmet law

Required, all riders (DOT-approved)

Lane splitting

Illegal (VTL § 1252)

Signature terrain

Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes

New York is not one riding state — it is several. Within a few hours of each other you have the 6-million-acre Adirondack wilderness, the tight mountain passes of the Catskills, the gorge roads of the Finger Lakes, a freshwater shoreline stretching from Niagara Falls to the St. Lawrence River, and Hudson Valley loops close enough to New York City for a long weekend. The range of terrain means the state works for nearly every style of rider: tourers threading NY-30 through continuous wilderness, sport-touring riders picking apart the switchbacks of Kaaterskill Clove, and cruiser riders tracing the Lake Ontario shore on NY-104. That variety is the whole point.

New York divides itself naturally into riding regions, and choosing among them matters more than picking a single road. The Adirondacks reward multi-day touring: NY-30 through the park interior is 153 miles of uninterrupted wilderness, and the lake loop on NY-9N / 73 / 74 adds Olympic-town character around Lake Placid. The Catskills are a different proposition — closer to New York City, more compact, and more technically demanding, built around the NY-23A / 214 / 28 triangle that most riders do as a day loop out of the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Highlands anchor the south end of the state's riding map, with Bear Mountain State Park and the Seven Lakes Drive circuit accessible on a half-day from the metro area.

Choosing by Terrain and Distance

If you have one day from NYC or the Hudson Valley, the Hawk's Nest on NY-97 or the Bear Mountain loop is the call — both under 100 miles round-trip with strong payoff. A weekend opens up the Catskill loop (NY-23A / 214 / 28, roughly 100–200 miles depending on how you string it). A proper multi-day trip earns the Adirondacks: plan fuel stops carefully, as towns are widely spaced on NY-30 and gravel-road spurs like Blue Ridge Road or Powley-Piseco have no services.

Seasonal and Logistical Notes

The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (NY-431) is a toll road open roughly mid-May through early October — confirm dates before you go, as the closure is firm. NY-97 at Hawk's Nest is year-round and makes a reliable shoulder-season alternative. Fall foliage on NY-28 and NY-23A peaks late September through mid-October and brings significant weekend car traffic; early-morning starts pay off. July is the wettest month in the Adirondacks — rain gear is not optional.

Real Hazards to Know

Gravel in shaded corners: NY-214 through Stony Clove Notch and early-season mountain roads collect sand and debris that cars push off the center line.
Pedestrian traffic: Kaaterskill Falls on NY-23A draws heavy foot traffic directly alongside the road — riders slow for walkers stepping off the shoulder.
Deer: Most active at dawn and dusk throughout the Adirondacks and Catskills; a real risk spring through fall.
Fuel gaps: On NY-30 through the Adirondack interior, towns can be 30–40 miles apart. Top off at every opportunity.
Wet leaves: Mid-October onward, fallen leaves on mountain roads — especially in notches — become as slick as ice when wet.

No Formal BDR, But Gravel Options Exist

New York has no official Backcountry Discovery Route, but the Adirondacks offer legitimate gravel options — Blue Ridge Road and the Powley-Piseco corridor among them — for dual-sport and adventure riders comfortable with remote conditions and limited services.

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// Frequently asked

Yes. New York requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a DOT-approved helmet, regardless of age or experience level. The state also requires approved eye protection — goggles or a face shield — unless the motorcycle has a windshield. New York was the first state in the nation to enact a universal helmet law, which took effect January 1, 1967, and remains in force today.

No. Lane splitting and lane filtering are both illegal in New York under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1252, which prohibits operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles. Two motorcycles may ride side by side (abreast) within a single lane, but passing between lanes is not permitted.

The toll road (NY-431) typically opens in mid-May and stays open through around Indigenous Peoples' Day in October. It is closed in winter. Always verify the current season schedule through the Olympic Regional Development Authority before visiting, as exact dates vary by year.

NY-23A through Kaaterskill Clove is the most technically demanding paved road in the state — a 2,000-foot climb in roughly two miles with tight switchbacks, waterfall proximity, and pedestrian foot traffic near trailheads. NY-214 through Stony Clove Notch and the Hawk's Nest section of NY-97 are also notably technical. NY-431 up Whiteface involves quick elevation gain through open switchbacks at grades up to 8–10%.

Yes. The Great Lakes Seaway Trail (NY-104) runs 182 miles along the Lake Ontario shore with open sightlines, lighthouse stops, and historic War of 1812 sites — minimal technical challenge. The Adirondack Trail (NY-30) through the park interior has long, gradual sweeps rather than tight turns. The Seneca Lake Scenic Byway (NY-414) is a relaxed 19-mile lakeside corridor through wine country.

Sand and scattered gravel collect in shaded corners on mountain roads — particularly on NY-214 through Stony Clove Notch — especially early in the season. Wet leaves become a real surface hazard from mid-October onward. Deer are active at dawn and dusk throughout the Adirondacks and Catskills. Fog can settle quickly in mountain notches and river gorges. On popular weekend corridors like NY-28 and NY-97, watch for heavy car and truck traffic around mid-morning through mid-afternoon.

//Sources & references

Motorcycle Safety — Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (NY.gov) ↗New York Motorcycle Helmet Laws — Harding Mazzotti, LLP ↗Whiteface Memorial Highway's Renovation & Season — Adirondack Explorer ↗Lane-Splitting Laws in NY — William Mattar Accident Lawyers ↗New York Motorcycle Rides — REVER ↗