The historic Old Croton Aqueduct Trail connects 26.5 miles through Westchester from Yorktown to Yonkers following the giant buried piping system completed in 1842 to deliver drinking water from the Croton River Dam to New York City.

All of this was soon rendered obsolete when an aqueduct three times the diameter replaced it in 1890 to meet the ever-increasing demand of the growing population. About every mile of the terrain, you can note a dramatic 10- to 14- foot high ventilator shaft (like a chimney) once allowing air to reach the water tunnel below.

The stretch spanning the village of Dobbs Ferry features a wide, level walkway from the Mercy College campus (providing ample parking) south to an interpretative kiosk at Cedar Street where there’s the popular Sushi Mike’s on the corner if you’re hungry, and passes the Keeper’s House at 15 Walnut Street. Built in 1857, this was one of many such houses provided to staff to maintain and patrol sections of the former Aqueduct. The house, the only one left standing, with a stone fireplace behind it, now functions as park headquarters and welcomes visitors on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm with interactive and educational exhibits about the OCA and this incredible water system.

Click here for a detailed map, which is handy as sometimes the OCA crosses roadways and passes through properties. When in doubt look out for stones imprinted with OCA at many street crossings.