The Canal Way Trail System offers miles of scenic trails and numerous parks for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. Enjoy the
quite recreation of wildlife viewing along miles of green and tranquil trails that line New York's canals.
The trail system currently includes more than 150 miles of exiting trails comprised of four major trail segments: The Erie Canal Heritage Trail on the western end of the state, Old Erie Canal State Park
in the center of the state, Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway and Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail on the eastern side. Erie Canal Heritage Trail
Approximately 70
miles long between Lockport and Palmyra, the trail passes villages whose
development centered around the canal. There are numerous access points where
roads intersect the trail.
Trail Surface:
Lockport to Medina -
stone dust
Medina to Rochester - gravel
Rochester to Pittsford -
asphalt
Pittsford to Palmyra - stone dust
Trail Use:
Walking, hiking, bicycling, roller blading and cross country skiing.
Old Erie Canal Trail
Old Erie Canal Park is a 36 mile long linear
park between Dewitt (east of Syracuse) and Rome is designated a National
Recreation Trail. The park trail is off road except for a 2.2 mile segment
between Durhamville and Route 31 and a 1 mile segment along Lock Road. Rest
rooms and parking are available at Poolsbrook and Cedar Bay picnic areas.
Trail Surface:
stone dust
Trail Use:
Walking,
hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, horseback riding and
snowmobiling.
Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway
The bikeway stretches
approximately 40 miles along the Mohawk River between Fort Hunter and Cohoes at
the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. The Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway is
off road except for 4 miles between Amsterdam and Rotterdam Junction (Route 5S
can be used to connect the trail) and 1 mile in the City of Schenectady.
Trail Surface:
asphalt
Trail Use:
Walking, hiking,
bicycling, cross country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail
The 9 mile trail
follows one of the last surviving sections of the original 1820's canal system.
The trail is off road except for a short segment between Glen and Shermantown
Road in the City of Glens Falls. Oakwood and Warren Street can be used to
connect the trail.
Trail Surface:
stone dust
Trail
Use:
Walking, hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing.
Bike
Routes 5 and 9
Bike Routes 5 and 9
are on-road bike routes that travel east and west across the state from the
Massachusetts border to Niagara Falls, and north and south from New York City
to the Canadian Border. These routes parallel the Erie and Champlain canals,
providing links to off-road trail segments. Developed by New York State
Department of Transportation for experienced bicyclists skilled in sharing the
road with motorized traffic.
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Recreation