The synthesis of (2S,4R)- and (2R,4R)-4-hydroxypipecolic acid has been realized from commercial ethyl (R)-4-cyano-3-hydroxybutanoate through palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of a 4-hydroxy-substituted lactam-derived vinyl phosphate followed by the stereocontrolled reduction of the enamine double bond. The stereoselectivehydrogenation of the suitably 4-hydroxy-protected enantiomer afforded