In 1609, Captain Henry Hudson sailed the Half Moon ship up an unamed river between banks rich with thick, dense foliage. Today, lush woods still blanket the same hills they did 400 years ago. Steep banks continue to forbid easy access inland, and the notorious winds in the Highlands region continue to play fierce games with boats.

The Hudson Valley is a region laden with cliffs. High, rocky faces give it much of its character and help create superb hiking and climbing destinations. Trails to lofty elevations with good views criss-cross the region, and are primarily in state parks and preserves. Also, several long-distance paths traverse the valley or run its length. The series of cliffs known as the Shawangunks (pronounced "shomgums" by some locals) is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the eastern United States.

The numerous 19th-century carriage roads in the valley make fine biking, hiking, and cross country skiing trails. The roads date from the Hudson Valley's days as a premier resort district for the well-to-do. Hikers and bikers must yield the right of way to horse-drawn vehicles, which still travel the roads. Mountain bikers also ride old logging and mining roads that are vestiges of one of the Hudson Valley's other historical roots as a rich source of raw materials that helped build the new republic. Such roads penetrate the forests of Harriman State Park, located just 30 miles or so north of New York City.

The most illustrious and celebrated names in 19th- and early 20th-century art, finance, and politics built summer estates on the Hudson's east side along what came to be known as "Millionaires' Row." The grand manors stand in eloquent homage to Gilded Age wealth and materialism. Their tribute is ironic, though, for many now belong to the State of New York, the National Trust, or the National Park Service. Several of the estates, including the Mills Mansion and the Vanderbilt Mansion, feature hiking trails and are also popular destinations for road cyclists, mountain bikers, and scenic drivers.

Other cultural attractions are the villages of Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Hudson. Road bikers and scenic drivers touring the mansions and countryside often stop at the numerous cafes, galleries, and shops in these towns. Hudson boasts more than 60 antique shops within five blocks. Groovy shopping and meccas for hanging out are nearby Woodstock and Saugerties. Further south, drivers and bikers take in the United States Military Academy at West Point, and combine the trip with a visit to the nearby Storm King Arts Center in Mountainville (not to be confused with Storm King State Park). What a contrast there is between the 19th-century style gray uniforms of the West Point Cadets among fortress-like stone structures and the late-20th-century, high cultural outdoor sculptures at Storm King! Visitors to the latter attraction can wander through works of art the size of buildings that are set in open, sunny fields.

Beyond the Hudson’s role as a river, it is also a tidal estuary in its southern reaches. Wide and deep, its ocean-like qualities summon challenge-loving sea kayakers. The river is home to abundant wildlife, birds, and fish, and the river valley is a important migratory flyway. The river's tributaries have long been highly respected fly-fishing rivers that attract quiet-water paddlers. Quiet paddling is good on many other area lakes and ponds as well.

When Captain Hudson sailed the river, people had high hopes that here, at last, was the Northwest Passage—a shortcut from Europe to the Far East. The Hudson proved not to be a path to Asia, but it is a modern passageway to fun and adventure.

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