Walking Route High Line Park – Hudson Yards in New York

Follow this walking route as it takes you through three neighbourhoods that together show just how quickly New York is changing. You’ll start at Chelsea Market, stroll past the piers of Hudson River Park and through the Meatpacking District, and walk along the High Line to Hudson Yards. I’ve mapped out the route and taken the photos myself, and by regularly re-walking the route, I ensure it remains up to date. You can find the High Line Park walking tour on my Eric’s New York App, so you can decide for yourself when and at what pace to walk it.

Download the app and buy your walking route for New York here

Highlights of the High Line & Hudson Yards Route

This walk starts at Chelsea Market, a covered market in a former biscuit factory where food stalls and charming shops sit side by side. Feel free to take your time here to have a look around before continuing with the walk.

Next, you will walk down to the water’s edge, past the piers of Hudson River Park. You’ll pass Pier 57 and Little Island, a striking park which appears to float above the Hudson River on concrete piles.

From the waterfront, you head to the Meatpacking District, where the old slaughterhouses have now made way for restaurants, shops and galleries. The cobbled streets still give a good idea of what the neighbourhood used to look like.

One of the highlights of the walking route is the High Line, the elevated park built on a disused railway line. Here, you walk above the traffic, amongst the greenery, and enjoy lovely views of the city along the way.

After walking the High Line, the route ends at Hudson Yards. This neighbourhood is relatively new, and I’ll show you the highlights you definitely shouldn’t miss here, such as the Vessel.

At each stop, I’ll tell you what there is to see and why that particular spot is worth a visit. That way, you’ll not only see the new New York, but also discover the story behind it.

How’s this walking route?

This walk is about 4.3 miles long (7 km) and takes about 2 hours. The route is easy to follow, with one thing to bear in mind: to get onto the High Line, you’ll need to climb some stairs. There is a lift available if required.

There are plenty of opportunities to take a break during this self-guided walking tour of the High Line and Hudson Yards. Chelsea Market, right at the start, is a great place to linger for a while, and you’ll find plenty of benches and cafés along the High Line and by the water. You set your own pace, and the walk is easily manageable even with children.

From an Old Railway to a Brand-New Neighbourhood

The High Line was once a freight railway line that ran right through the factories and slaughterhouses of this neighbourhood. When the trains stopped running, the line lay unused for years and was in danger of being demolished. The fact that it is still there today, and indeed as one of the city’s most popular parks, is down to the efforts of local residents who felt it was too beautiful to be allowed to disappear.

You’ll see traces of that history everywhere along the way. Nestled between the new developments at Hudson Yards and the galleries of the Meatpacking District are the cobbled streets and brick warehouses of old New York. It’s precisely this contrast that makes the walk so enjoyable.

Practical Information

• Starting point: West 14th Street/8 Avenue subway station
• Distance: 7 kilometres (4.3 miles)
• Duration: approximately 2 hours
• Price: from £2 as part of a package
• Best time: I particularly enjoy doing this walk around midday. It’s very lively then, and you can combine it with lunch. It’s also lovely early in the morning, when High Line Park is still a lot quieter.

Pairs well with:
Would you like to see more of these neighbourhoods? Then why not join my Greenwich, Meatpacking & High Line evening walking tour, when the lights come on and the neighbourhoods take on a whole new look. The package offers better value than buying the routes individually.

How does the walking route work in the app?

All you need for this walk is my Eric’s New York App. The route works offline, so you won’t need an internet connection whilst you’re out and about. You’ll be ready to go in just a few minutes:

1. Download the free Eric’s New York App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Tap the ‘Routes’ icon at the bottom, or the menu button in the top right-hand corner of the home screen.
3. Select the High Line & Hudson Yards walking route.
4. Tap ‘Buy route’ and complete the payment.
5. You’ll now see the full route in the app, with all the points you’ll pass. At each point, you’ll find my stories, tips and photos.
6. On the map, click on the green figure to view the route and your own location. That way, you won’t get lost along the way.

If you buy the route before you set off, you can take your time at home to have a look at what you’ll see along the way. Once you arrive in New York, you can simply follow the map on the app. You’re of course welcome to stop for a coffee or take a detour, and you can always pick up where you left off afterwards.

If you’re on your mobile, you can open this link directly to the walking routes in the app

Tip: Budget-friendly walking routes through New York

Are you planning to walk more than one walking route during your trip to New York? If so, go for the package in the app. It allows you to buy several routes in one go, which works out cheaper than buying them individually. That way, you can explore the most beautiful parts of New York on foot in just a few days.

View all walking routes and packages in the app