Find the top rated walking trails in Johnson City, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I am on a quest to complete a lot of the rail trails by bike on this app in the upstate NY area. So far I have completed most of the Rochester and Syracuse trails. This sets the bar high as one of the best trails I have done. It has a lot of diverse surface types and scenery. Rode it on 650b x 47mm road plus tires. I wouldn’t recommend going much smaller in width. Some sections can be a bit bumpy. Excellent trail! Highly recommend
We have been riding the D&H for years, as it is only an hour’s car ride away for us. We find the best parking to be at the Forest City Trailhead. It is paved, large, and has an outhouse.
We recently took a 23-mile ride on our hybrids. The trip started at Forest City, riding south to Carbondale. We turned around and went north, past Forest City, to Union Dale. At Union Dale, we turned to the south and ended the ride at our starting point in Forest City.
The trail is an interesting mix of nature, history, and artwork. For most of the ride you are in an isolated area. We had a white tail deer cross the path in front of us. There are many bridges which provide opportunity to view the stream which is running high this time of the year. In Union Dale, you will find a restored railroad car and remains of a mill. In Forest City and near Carbondale, you will find some interesting artwork.
The trail is in very good shape. It is hard packed with small gravel. At one time there were large stones near the Stillwater Dam, but they are no longer there, greatly improving the ride. While there are no large hills, there is a grade going north and you will have to work. We suggest taking this into consideration as you plan your trip.
Great trail...well marked and fun ride. Bathroom services along the way and places to eat between Montour and Pine Vally.
The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is an all asphalt trail. We were able to keep the bikes clean and my 8 year old is safe from traffic. I found that if we travel Cass Park loops by the dog park,boat docks, inlet to Farmers Market, past the city golf course to Stewart Park loop and back, it is about 10.0 miles. Sorry for the long sentence but there’s a lot to see.
We did this trail again today. I recommend coming in from Hayes the trail is much smoother. And just as pretty.
Nice walk. Just watch your step. There are lots of big rocks up the center of the trail. We walked along the edges and did ok. Worth it! Saw a few waterfalls. Beautiful.
We’re 70-ish. We walked about 1/2 mile out, but had to turn around and head back to our start point at Texas Hollow. The railroad ballast surface made it too difficult walking for us. Younger walkers and fat tire cyclists may handle the surface better. Nevertheless, kudus to the local trail community for all the work to provide another off road place to enjoy nature.
Trail heads were hard to find, parking areas hard to find or not safe looking.
We had a beautiful Saturday for the ride, and surprised to encounter no other bikes! (Just a couple of walkers and 2 on horseback.) We started in Starrucca (at Little Ireland road), and went toward Lanesboro from there. Not clear where to park at the Starrucca trail entrance, but there's room off the road for a couple of cars.
It's always a good day on the trail when you can start with a historical marker! And there is a nice one there on an old railroad work shed that is still standing. The trail stretching north to Stevens Point is largely unimproved, but certainly ride-able with a decent off-road bike. There are stretches of grassy track that are smooth, some pretty rocky stretches that can be rough, and some muddy spots after a rain. But it's really no problem to keep moving, with a pretty steady, gentle downhill grade. Very pretty tree-lined experience, quite shady, with breaks that reveal the beautiful valley below. The stream down to the right, and occasional small waterfalls on the left, make things very pleasant.
When you get to Stevens Point, you do have to cross Starrucca Creek Road, but not a big deal, and you quickly come into the main trailhead parking area at Rockwell Memorial Park. (Thank you, kind Samaritans, for leaving some water bottles there for bikers!! Really saved us!) From there it's clear sailing all the way to Lanesboro. For this stretch, it's a broad, fine-gravel path that is very easy going, with the slight downhill grade continuing. Fantastic to ride along Starrucca Creek as it rushes to meet the Susquehanna. Outstanding dedicated bike bridges over the creek.
Before you know it, you're under the phenomenal Starrucca Viaduct, standing tall and true since the 1850's!! A testament to engineering!
We continued on to the NY border, just to say we did it! That last stretch occasionally puts you right alongside the Susquehanna, which is broad and calm. Trail surface is largely quick good along this stretch, except as you approach the border ... just gets a little rougher, but not bad.
From Starrucca to the NY border was 11.3 miles. We turned right around and went all the way back. Admittedly, the return was harder as you're going back up the gentle grade, especially the last 5 miles in the unimproved section. But it was an epic and fine journey that took us about 3+ hours of riding and a little over 4 hours elapsed time. (For what it's worth, I'll say that we are 60 and 66 years old ... and we weren't trying to set any speed records.)
If you want a less challenging and much shorter round trip, starting at Stevens Point and going down to Lanesboro and back is just the ticket!
As per note on South Trailhead barricade: Aug 9 - Sept 20 expect daily trail closures due to the repair of a high-voltage line. I biked this awesome trail Aug 9 late afternoon & there was a construction truck sometime in the middle of the trail just finishing up & departing. Probably hit or miss until Sept 20 as to whether they are working on the lines or not. Today is a Wednesday… it’s 3pm. My guess would be that it would be open before 9 AM and after 5 PM and on the weekends but IDK 5 stars bc it’s a great trail
A beautiful start of the trail beneath the Viaduct. It’s newly blacktop/ crushed stone trail heading south towards Starrucca. After about 3 miles it turns to jungle. It’s also all up hill which makes the ride back nicer.
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