We begin at the beginning: an on-ramp to the Henry Hudson Freeway. Clearly visible: a white sign reading "Passenger cars only." Not visible at all: a little green sign saying "Manhattan Greenway Path."

And indeed, when you round the bend, there is a stairwell leading up...

...to the northern terminus of the bike path.

...which you roll down, the Henry Hudson on your left, and the river on your right.

...past the little-used pavilion near 190th St

...past houses in Washington Heights, hanging out over the highway.

A quick turn to the right drops you nearly straight down.

...to a little wooded path underneath the George Washington Bridge.

...which is very large indeed.

commute The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge: famous childrens' book to some, morning landmark to others.

From here on out, the path proceeds almost entirely along the Hudson river.

In the mornings, it's largely deserted, except for me and a few fishermen.

At 140th St., Hudson River Park technically ends, and the path takes a quick detour around a water treatment plant.

The path continues for a few blocks on a service road behind the plant; this is the only truly sketchy bit.

Just above 135th St. and the Harlem Fairway supermarket, the path makes its only (and brief) detour onto surface roads, underneath the elevated highway.

Past the Fairway, you jog back to the river, where the dedicated path picks up.

This portion of the path is called the "Cherry Walk", and is in fact lined with cherry trees that, in early spring, carpet the path with blossoms.

You can see the tower of Columbia's seminary in the distance.

The path is usually feet from the water.

Not quite to 96th St.

The view across the river.

Near 102nd St, the path becomes part of the pedestrian promenade near the boat basin.

Around 99th, the path briefly heads uphill and merges into the park walkway.

...then dips back down to the riverside as you approach the boat basin...

...where, shockingly enough, there are boats.