The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street by Hudson Yards.
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Pick the wrong end and a High Line walk can leave you facing the wrong subway, the wrong lunch stop, or a longer walk than planned. The answer to where the High Line starts and ends is simple: the south end is Gansevoort Street near Washington Street, and the north end is West 34th Street near 12th Avenue.
The full High Line route is about 1.45 miles. Most visitors walk it south to north, starting near the Whitney Museum of American Art and finishing near Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, and the 7 train.
Where The High Line Starts And Ends On The Route
The High Line starts at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and ends at West 34th Street by Hudson Yards. The path follows Manhattan’s West Side through Chelsea, mostly between 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, and the rail-yard curve near 12th Avenue.
The southern entrance feels more like a clean beginning. Gansevoort Street puts you near the Whitney Museum, Little Island, Hudson River Park, and the Meatpacking District. From there, the walk rises above street level and heads north through planted sections, art areas, Chelsea Market, gallery blocks, and the open rail-yard stretch.
The northern end at West 34th Street is more practical than pretty. West 34th Street works well if you are coming from Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, the 7 train, or a Midtown hotel.
Which End Of The High Line Should You Start At?
The south end at Gansevoort Street is the better starting point for most first-time visitors. Walking north gives you a clearer sense of the park’s change from tight Meatpacking District streets to the wider Hudson Yards rail-yard section.
Start at Gansevoort Street if your plan includes the Whitney Museum, Chelsea Market, Little Island, or a meal in the Meatpacking District. Start at West 34th Street if you are already near Hudson Yards, Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or the Javits Center.
- Best classic walk: Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street.
- Best short walk: Gansevoort Street to West 23rd Street or West 30th Street.
- Best transit finish: West 34th Street, then walk to the 7 train at 34th Street-Hudson Yards.
- Best food break: Enter or exit near West 15th to West 16th Street for Chelsea Market.
High Line Route Points From Gansevoort To 34th Street
The High Line route is easiest to understand as a south-to-north chain of street points. Friends of the High Line marks the park route, access symbols, restrooms, and nearby landmarks on the official High Line map.
Access note: Stair, elevator, and ramp status can change during repairs, events, bad weather, and winter maintenance. Check the official map before relying on one exact entrance.
| Route Point | Where It Sits | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| Gansevoort Street | South end, near Washington Street | Classic starting point near the Whitney Museum and Meatpacking District |
| West 14th Street | Near 10th Avenue and the A, C, E, and L subway area | Easy mid-south access and a shorter walk toward Chelsea |
| West 16th Street | Beside Chelsea Market | Food stop, restroom area on the official map, and a busy central section |
| West 18th Street | West Chelsea | Short entry or exit for a gallery-focused walk |
| West 23rd Street | Chelsea gallery district | Good midpoint for cutting the walk in half |
| West 30th Street | Near Hudson Yards and the Moynihan Connector area | Accessible northern-side access and a link toward Penn Station |
| West 34th Street | North end near 12th Avenue | Finish point for Hudson Yards, Javits Center, and the 7 train |
Do You Need Tickets For The High Line?
The High Line does not require a paid ticket for regular park entry. Paid options only matter if you want a guided walking tour, a nearby museum add-on, or a combo activity around Chelsea and Hudson Yards.
The free self-guided walk is enough for most visitors. Paid options make more sense if you want local history, architecture context, or a planned route that also covers Chelsea Market, the Meatpacking District, or Hudson Yards.
If you want a guided walk or a nearby attraction add-on, compare the current options here:
Walking Time And Direction
A full High Line walk takes about 30 to 45 minutes without long stops. Plan 60 to 90 minutes if you want photos, food, art, benches, and time to step off near Chelsea Market.
The route is not hard, but crowding changes the pace. Late morning through midafternoon can feel slow, especially near Chelsea Market and the central overlooks. Early morning is better for steady walking, and weekday evenings work well when the park has longer seasonal hours.
The main path is linear, so you do not need a complex route. Choose the starting end, follow the walkway, and exit when your next stop makes sense.
How To Reach The South And North Ends
The south end works best with the A, C, E, or L trains around 14th Street and 8th Avenue, then a walk west and south to Gansevoort Street. Taxis and rideshares can use Gansevoort Street or Washington Street as the drop-off target.
The north end works best from the 7 train at 34th Street-Hudson Yards. From there, walk west toward 12th Avenue and look for High Line signs by the rail-yard edge.
- From Chelsea Market: Use the West 15th to West 16th Street area and join the path in the middle.
- From Penn Station: Walk west toward Moynihan Train Hall and the Moynihan Connector area, then reach the High Line near West 30th Street.
- From Hudson River Park: Gansevoort Street is usually the cleanest link to the south end.
Where To Stay Near The High Line
Hotels near Chelsea and the Meatpacking District work best if you want the High Line, Chelsea Market, galleries, and Hudson River Park within an easy walk. Hotels near Hudson Yards work better for Penn Station, the Javits Center, and Midtown transit.
First-time visitors who want the prettiest High Line approach should lean south toward Chelsea or the Meatpacking District. Business travelers, convention visitors, and train travelers usually do better near Hudson Yards or West 30th to West 34th Street.
To compare hotels around both ends of the High Line on one map, use this New York City hotel map:
A Simple High Line Walking Plan
A full High Line walk is easiest if you start at Gansevoort Street, walk north, and decide at West 23rd Street whether to keep going. West 23rd Street is the natural halfway decision point because the walk has already covered the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, and the central Chelsea section.
- Start at Gansevoort Street near the Whitney Museum.
- Walk north past West 14th Street and the Chelsea Market area.
- Pause around West 16th Street or West 17th Street for the central views.
- Continue to West 23rd Street for galleries and a clean exit option.
- Keep walking to West 30th Street if you want the Hudson Yards section.
- Finish at West 34th Street if your next stop is the 7 train, Javits Center, or Hudson Yards.
For most visitors, the best route is Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street in one direction, with a Chelsea Market break near the middle. For a shorter version, walk Gansevoort Street to West 23rd Street and save the Hudson Yards end for another day.
References & Sources
- Friends of the High Line.“High Line Pocket Guide.”Maps the High Line route, access points, nearby landmarks, park rules, and visitor facilities.