Difficulty Rating:
3 out of 5
Requires return by MetroNorth from Garrison. Optional climb up Perkins (Bear Mt.)
Important Note: Rt 17 between Suffern and Sloatsburg deserves a lot of caution. Cyclists share this with high speed motor traffic that presents itself to motorists as a limited access highway. You must stay far to the right on the shoulder and exercise extreme caution taking this section. As there is no easy way to avoid this section in accessing Sloatsburg from Suffern, 7 Lakes Drive is best accessed via NJ Transit on the Port Jervis Line at the Sloatsburg stop. This said, my best advise is not to consider the Rt 17 section and take the train. Further, Rt 17 going south from Sloatsburg is worse; is is off limits to cyclists as Rt 17 traffic, moving at high speed crosses your exit towards Suffern: motor traffic does not expect cyclists on the narrow shoulder, or you crossing their path.
HS 2/14/2021