scenic motorcycle ride olana burger hill

Olana -> Burger Hill Loop

by BKClark

This scenic motorcycle ride past Olana and Burger hill starts right out with some nice views and a great destination. On route 9G, as you head south out of Hudson, you’ll find the Olana State Historic Site on the left in about 3 miles. I highly recommend making the short run up to the site, even if it’s just for the ride — there’s a spectacular view of the Hudson Valley below as you come back down the hill from Olana. But, if you have the time, stop by and check out “Frederic Church’s Masterpiece”, and the beautiful grounds surrounding Olana.

Continue down NY 9G, along the Hudson River, and past intermittent views of the Catskill Mountains. Stop by the Clermont State Historic Site, or Tivoli Bays Nature Preserve as you travel down route 9G, but by all means stop at Drayton Grant Park, and climb Burger Hill for some breathtaking views of the Catskills rising above the Hudson River valley below. The trip back north takes you through some quiet county routes, with long stretches of light traffic and beautiful long mountain views. Horse farms, apple orchards, and private residences from quaint to spectacular dot the countryside on this scenic motorcycle ride as you peacefully roam back north to complete the loop. The forkcam video is from very early spring, and ridden as defined in the directions, but this trip is nice in either direction, and at any time of the year. As always, EnJoy the Ride!

Gallery

Directions: On NY route 9G, heading south out of Hudson, NY, follow 9G south to the Olana State Historic Site (about 3 miles south of Hudson). When you leave Olana, continue south on route 9G for twenty miles. In Rhinebeck, NY, about one mile past the intersection with NY 308, look for the sign for Drayton Grank Park at Burger Hill. After leaving Burger Hill, head back up 9G heading north. In one mile turn right on NY 308 heading east. At the intersection with NY 199, turn left heading west. In about one and a half miles, turn right on Hapeman Hill Rd heading north. When you come to a “T”, turn right on Turkey Hill Rd heading east, then take the next left onto Odak Farm Rd (county route 19) heading north. In Clermont, NY turn left on county route 8 heading northwest. When you come to the intersection with US route 9, go straight across to go onto county route 31 heading north. At the intersection with NY route 23, turn left heading west and back to the beginning of the loop.

Tips: To make the connection to the Lake Taghanic->Bear Mountain scenic motorcycle ride: From the intersection of county route 19 and county route 8, in Clermont, NY take county route 8 east to the Taconic State Parkway, then north on the parkway to Lake Taghanic State Park and the beginning of the Bear Mountain ride — see Connections below..

Shorthand:
Hudson, NY -> 9G[S]->Olana -> 9G[S]-> Rhinebeck, NY/Burger Hill -> 9G[N]-> R-NY 308[E]-> L-NY 199[W]-> R-Hapeman Hill Rd[N]-> R-Turkey Hill Rd[E]->L- Odak Farm Rd (county route 19) [N]-> Clermont, NY-> L-Co 8[NW]-> S Co 31[N]-> L NY 23[W]-> Route 9G(start of loop).

Ride Details

  • Ride Type: Circular
  • Time: 1:35
  • Distance: 69.8 mi (112 km)
  • Average Speed: 44 mph (70 kph)
  • Road Type: US Route/State Routes/County Routes/Secondary Roads
  • Road Condition: 9 Very Good (mostly smooth)
  • Date Ridden: 4/4/2020
  • Maximum Elevation: 450 ft
  • Traffic Lights: 5
  • Stop Signs: 9

Gas:
*Stewart’s – Greenport, NY
Gulf – Germantown, NY
Mobil – Germantown, NY

*Ethanol free gas available

Food:
Four Brothers Pizza Rhinebeck, NY
The Tasting Room – Rhinebeck, NY
CJ’s – Rhinebeck, NY

Lodging:
Mt. Merino Manor – Hudson, NY

Camping:
Brook n Wood Family Campground – Elizaville, NY
Lake Taghkanic State Park – Ancram, NY

Repair Shops:
County Route Repairs (auto repair) – Germantown, NY
Fully Loaded Performance(auto repair) – Germantown, NY

Attractions:
Olana State Historic Site – Hudson, NY
Dayton Grant Park at Burger Hill – Rhinebeck, NY
Clermont State Historic Site – Germantown, NY
Tivoli Bays Natural Heritage Area – Tivoli, NY
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck – Rhinebeck, NY

Connections:
Lake Taghkanic -> Bear Mountain