High Bridge Trail

New York City has many parks and trails that welcome puppers, many with historic roots. There's no better example than The High Bridge Trail that connects Manhattan's Washington Heights to Highbridge in the Bronx. The bridge that today carries the trail across the Harlem River was built in the mid-19th century as part of the Croton Aqueduct water system that provided Manhattan with water from upstate. In fact, the huge empty pipe that carried the water still sits beneath the feet of the people and leashed puppers that walk on the bridge's surface. Never meant for motorized traffic, it remains open to just foot traffic. 

The trailhead for the High Bridge Trail lies on the Manhattan side at 172nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue in High Bridge Park. A hill or set of stairs will get you to the paved surface of the bridge over 200 feet above, for a 2-mile stroll to the other side and into the Bronx. The trailhead in the Bronx is at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. 

The High Bridge is the oldest bridge still standing in New York City, and is part of a pawrfect trail for walkies with the fur-baby and family. Furtastic views include the Highbridge Tower on the Manhattan side, the river below, and the barktiful trees, lush and green in summer, stunningly hued in fall, and starkly magnificent in winter. 

Since this is a city trail, be sure to bring any necessities with you, such as water and clean up bags, as there are no stations along the way.

Many city-folk and their pups use the trail for a stroll, and on the weekdays, it's also a well-used route for commuters from the Bronx into Manhattan. Well-lit, with decorative wrought-iron fencing on both sides, you can imagine yourself in the 1800s on a Sunday walk with your loyal pup by your side. Sounds furtabulous!