Condensed Financial Information of Hudson Valley Holding Corp. - Schedule of Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 1,130	$ 29,181	$ (2,137)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
(Increase) decrease in other assets	2,597	3,959	2,618
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	30,979	51,465	57,730
Investing Activities:
Net Cash (Used In) Provided by Investing Activities	(269,177)	635,285	(388,687)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and sale of treasury stock	1,094	547	1,223
Cash dividends paid	(4,729)	(14,125)	(12,401)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	110,029	62,669	124,905
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(128,169)	749,419	(206,052)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	827,523	78,104	284,156
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	699,354	827,523	78,104
Parent Company [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	1,130	29,181	(2,137)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries	3,052	(22,655)	1,521
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(108)	(113)	25
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(44)	(1)	3
Other changes, net	(49)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	3,981	6,412	(588)
Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	60	8	4
Net Cash (Used In) Provided by Investing Activities	60	8	4
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and sale of treasury stock	1,094	547	1,223
Cash dividends paid	(4,729)	(14,125)	(12,401)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	(3,635)	(13,578)	(11,178)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	406	(7,158)	(11,762)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	975	8,133	19,895
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$ 1,381	$ 975	$ 8,133