Explore the best rated trails in Batavia, NY. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail and Great Gorge Railway Trail. With more than 34 trails covering 595 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Lancaster Heritage Trail begins in an eastern outer suburb of Buffalo and unwinds 4 paved miles into the delightful wooded countryside. Benches made of natural materials, including boulders, are...
The Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail, formerly known as the Robert Moses Recreational Trail, spans nearly 4 miles beginning at Main Street in Niagara Falls. From there, it heads north past the Niagara...
Two former rival railroad corridors that crossed in Buffalo’s eastern suburbs now form a nearly 18-mile paved trail system called Clarence Pathways in Clarence, Newstead, and Akron. Five trails...
By the early 1800s, Rochester had earned the nickname of Flour City because of its numerous mills that allowed the young town to rapidly become the largest flour producer in the United States. The...
The I-390 Bike Path is a 5-mile paved trail starting in Greece and ending at the Island Cottage Woods Preserves just south of Lake Ontario. The trail starts just after crossing Route 104 using the...
The Shoreline Trail in Erie County, New York, is 21.7 miles of flat, easy pathway that runs adjacent to Lake Erie, one of the country’s Great Lakes, on its southern half and then along the Niagara...
A smooth, flat asphalt ride that allows you to discover the town's railroad history (and present), the Cheektowaga Rails to Trails pathway is a great community asset for this Buffalo suburb. About 1.5...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
Travelers on the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail will enjoy scenic views of wooded areas, surrounding bodies of water and wetlands. The trail parallels the north side of the Parkway, which runs along...
When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will run for 360 miles in upstate New York—from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east—linking many other communities along the way, including Rochester,...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
North Buffalo Rails to Trails offers a tree-lined paved pathway through Minnesota Linear Park in the University Heights neighborhood. Although less than a mile long, it offers two important links in...
Snaking along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail provides a smooth journey infused with the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The nearly 7-mile trail...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
Although only about a mile in length, Buffalo’s Greenway Nature Trail packs in the views. The paved pathway provides access to the city’s Outer Harbor not only for pedestrians and bicyclists, but also...
Ellicott Creek Trailway is an asphalt path used for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. This multiuse pathway travels along Ellicott Creek—a 47-mile waterway that flows from Bennington to the...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
The Erie Attica Trail lies in the Finger Lakes region of New York along the former railroad for which it's named. A glimpse of this past can be seen in the beautiful truss bridge that spans 220 feet...
Opened in 2016, Tonawanda Rails to Trails offers a paved linear route through the Tonawanda community north of Buffalo. The rail-trail was built atop the former Erie Lackawanna Railway, which carried...
The El Camino: Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail (often more simply called the El Camino Trail) runs diagonally through a neighborhood and industrial properties in northeast Rochester on an abandoned CSX...
Opened in 2016, Tonawanda Rails to Trails offers a paved linear route through the Tonawanda community north of Buffalo. The rail-trail was built atop the former Erie Lackawanna Railway, which carried...
By the early 1800s, Rochester had earned the nickname of Flour City because of its numerous mills that allowed the young town to rapidly become the largest flour producer in the United States. The...
The town of Perinton, New York, has been hard at work improving the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Trail, and it shows. Since 1996, when the American Hiking Society designated Perinton as a Trail...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
The WAG Trail snakes for 9 miles along the upper Genessee River. The trail follows the route of what was once a shortline operation called the Wellsville, Addison & Galeton (WAG) Railroad. Though the...
The Manchester Gateway Trail is a scenic route used by walkers and cyclers that follows the Canandaigua Outlet through Manchester. It has also been used for skiing during winter months. The trailhead...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
True to its name, the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail traces the eastern edge of the Niagara Gorge, offering connections to three state parks and spectacular views of the Niagara River below and the...
North Buffalo Rails to Trails offers a tree-lined paved pathway through Minnesota Linear Park in the University Heights neighborhood. Although less than a mile long, it offers two important links in...
The Erie Attica Trail lies in the Finger Lakes region of New York along the former railroad for which it's named. A glimpse of this past can be seen in the beautiful truss bridge that spans 220 feet...
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The Pittsford Trail System, also called the Railroad Loop Trail, provides access to the Erie Canal, town of Pittsford, and shopping and business district in the quaint New York village. A short...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
The Devil's Hole Trail offers a moderately challenging hike within Devil's Hole State Park. The rail-trail follows the route of a former trolley line built in the Niagara Gorge in 1895. Railroad...
The Great Gorge Railway Trail is truly a gem. Nestled between the Niagara River and the Niagara Scenic Parkway, this short but stunning rail-trail offers unparalleled access and views of one of North...
Brickyard Trail offers a pleasant north-south route through the Town of Brighton, which sits on the southeastern outskirts of Rochester. Its name is a nod to the town's brickmaking industry dating...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
Located in the majestic Finger Lakes region, the Lehigh Valley Trail is a well-used gem with a sparkling future. Wandering 16.4 miles through beautiful landscapes and rich greenery, the trail connects...
This pleasant community trail connects suburban residences close to the shore of Lake Ontario with a school, a church and a commercial area in Webster, New York. Near the trail's northwest end, it...
The Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail, formerly known as the Robert Moses Recreational Trail, spans nearly 4 miles beginning at Main Street in Niagara Falls. From there, it heads north past the Niagara...
The North Branch of the Lehigh Valley Trail connects the campuses of the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. The trail’s northern terminus is where the Erie Canal Heritage...
Ellicott Creek Trailway is an asphalt path used for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. This multiuse pathway travels along Ellicott Creek—a 47-mile waterway that flows from Bennington to the...
The Erie Attica Trail lies in the Finger Lakes region of New York along the former railroad for which it's named. A glimpse of this past can be seen in the beautiful truss bridge that spans 220 feet...
The North Branch of the Lehigh Valley Trail connects the campuses of the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. The trail’s northern terminus is where the Erie Canal Heritage...
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The Groveland Secondary Trail follows a portion of abandoned right-of-way of the old Groveland Branch of the Erie Lackawanna between York and Alexander. The York terminus begins just east of Main...
By the early 1800s, Rochester had earned the nickname of Flour City because of its numerous mills that allowed the young town to rapidly become the largest flour producer in the United States. The...
The Ontario Pathways Rail Trail is the crown jewel of the trail system managed by the organization for whom it is named in Ontario County, New York. Comprising two disconnected segments, including a...
The Great Gorge Railway Trail is truly a gem. Nestled between the Niagara River and the Niagara Scenic Parkway, this short but stunning rail-trail offers unparalleled access and views of one of North...
When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will run for 360 miles in upstate New York—from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east—linking many other communities along the way, including Rochester,...
Brickyard Trail offers a pleasant north-south route through the Town of Brighton, which sits on the southeastern outskirts of Rochester. Its name is a nod to the town's brickmaking industry dating...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
The Manchester Gateway Trail is a scenic route used by walkers and cyclers that follows the Canandaigua Outlet through Manchester. It has also been used for skiing during winter months. The trailhead...
The Devil's Hole Trail offers a moderately challenging hike within Devil's Hole State Park. The rail-trail follows the route of a former trolley line built in the Niagara Gorge in 1895. Railroad...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
There are so many reminders from the heyday of the railroad age on the nearly 10-mile Auburn Trail that visitors might imagine they’re chugging through villages and countryside at the throttle of a...
True to its name, the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail traces the eastern edge of the Niagara Gorge, offering connections to three state parks and spectacular views of the Niagara River below and the...
Located in the majestic Finger Lakes region, the Lehigh Valley Trail is a well-used gem with a sparkling future. Wandering 16.4 miles through beautiful landscapes and rich greenery, the trail connects...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
The WAG Trail snakes for 9 miles along the upper Genessee River. The trail follows the route of what was once a shortline operation called the Wellsville, Addison & Galeton (WAG) Railroad. Though the...
Although only about a mile in length, Buffalo’s Greenway Nature Trail packs in the views. The paved pathway provides access to the city’s Outer Harbor not only for pedestrians and bicyclists, but also...
I rode the 22 mile 'V' on 7/21/20, starting at the free public parking lot in Canandaigua, down to Stanley, and up north to Phelps. From there I followed rt 488 back to the lot in Canandaigua for a 35 mile loop.
This definitely has the topography of a rail trail --mostly flat. But has a different vibe then the well manicured stone dust trails. Though the trail is 5 to 10ft wide, it is grass with a narrow dirt single track for most of its length. Some parts the single track were more grass then dirt. For that reason a it's not as fast a trail, but there are no roots or rocks that would slow down a mountain bike or even a hybrid. In fact, it appears there was a recent effort to mark and remove any roots that traversed the trail. It took me exactly 2 hours to complete the 22 miles on my XC MTB. I'm not in the best physical shape, but I have been cycling a lot lately and kept a decent pace.
The trail travels mostly through farmland, but heavily encased in tree cover for some great shade. You won't see much to look at other then the handful of railroad bridges, and very few other trail users. The 'Park' at Stanley is nothing more then a kiosk and a picnic table. Heading north from the turn in Stanley, you'll have a slight assist from gravity for most of the Eastern Leg. You can make up some time here. After a brief detour on rt 488, the trail starts again on the right. It is well marked with signs, as is all of the trail. Though there are numerous road crossings, the signs were always visible and I was never confused on where to go. The northern most part of the trail heading into Phelps had the most foot traffic. It was covered in fresh stone, not crushed enough to be pleasant, a bit challenging to ride through.
Overall it was a very enjoyable ride. If you like doing long rides for the exercise, but are bored by the canal trail, then you'll like this trail. Just don't bring your road bike. On the other hand, if you're looking for up and down MTB adventures with roots, rocks, drops, and narrow switch backs, you will definitely be bored here.
One tip...be careful going through the narrow gates. I snagged my hand on some thorns trying to squeeze through one of them.
The trail is a triangle with one side being the erie canal trail. Despite what is written, it is 5 miles around. The west leg from the canal and Pittsford Plaza starts as a wide grassly trail with some old road. After crossing French Road has more gravel before crossing a bridge and turning into a narrow windy footpath with lots of twists and roots. The longest leg from Pittsford Plaza ending just before Schoen place is a mix of gravel, grass, and footpath, but in better condition. Overall, modestly maintained. Not appropriate for a standard roadbike. A hybrid does just fine.
Me and my wife TRIED to bike the trail system but several things prevented a good ride. We first parked at the Belfast parking on 153. Found the trail was closed going north to Belfast. Road a few miles on the southbound to Cuba, but not very interesting and the trail is slow due to high grass. Drove over to Caneadea and found the parking on 19, but wow was that scary. Decided not to leave our car. Plus the trail looks not to be maintained. So far our visit to this area has not been very successful.
I enjoy this bike trail for the shade, views, and safe path through Greece off of the roads. It is bumpy, so a road bike may be challenging. I’ve done it pulling a buggy with two kids in it. It’s doable. I recommend checking this trail out for a nice ride.
Great relaxing ride along the water/boats/land.
I rode this on my Mountain Bike on 6/28/2020. Weather was warm, bright, and clear. Some of the sections were wonderfully shaded. Very well maintained, some new sections, and looks like continuing maintenance. Crushed stone trail is immaculate, so nice that I saw a few folks on road bikes. It's moderately trafficked but plenty wide enough to handle it. If I didn't know better, I'd say this whole trail was just groomed yesterday. Hardly a skidmark in the stone, freshly planted grass along the sides, and places where the shoulder drops off there are wood fences that still smell like sawdust. Flat, straight, and relatively boring if not for some nice scenery. Overall a nice stretch of trail if you're going for endurance.
Starting at Powder Mills Park, there is a small parking area just east of the trail head by 0.1 miles on Woolston rd that would fit maybe 4 cars. There is more parking further in the park, but you'll have to deal with some hilly roads to get to the trail. Heading east bound, (south east really) it starts off a little downhill, but after that the entire rest of the way is ever so slightly uphill. A fact that was imperceptible until I turned around and realized the return trip felt easier. The internet later informed me it's a 1% grade for most of the 11 miles. Which amounts to about a 200ft ascent. Nothing really. Road crossings are fairly frequent, but none are major roads. However, I recommend heeding the stop signs, because the intersections are blind, especially from the perspective of the ones driving the 3000lb hunks of metal.
The trail map here on is not up to date, and neither is the satellite view on google maps. Just west of Finn's tap room the map shows the trail fizzles out and there is a road detour. However, the stone trail now follows along the railroad tracks and goes straight through. Behind Finn's is a big lot that looks like a nice place to park if you are looking to do half of the trail.
Continuing east, you get to the next break on google maps. There is a road detour of .4 miles on break of day road. It's well marked with signage and easy to find the trail again. The trail actually does continue through, although a small sign says "foot trail only". I was curious about it, so on my way back I took the foot trail. In this small section was stone (not crushed), grass, dirt, and a little wooden bridge with some pedestrians that gave me a dirty look. (probably deserved). A fun little MTB trail in my opinion, but probably best to go to nearby Dryer Road park if that's what you're after.
The trail map ends at Mertensia Park, but it actually continues to Rt 332, which adds a little less then 2 miles. Similarly well groomed and marked. Mapping it out after the ride says it was 10.8 miles from start to end. However, there is nowhere to park at the very eastern end of the trail. I suspect this section was added to give access to Mertensia Park from the tract housing developments that are half finished there.
While there are some backyards in view, in many sections you'll forget you are near residential areas, if it weren't for the power lines. The wildlife was out in full force during my trip. In addition to numerous birds and small critters, in two places I saw rabbits. There was a 2 foot garter snake enjoying a sunny spot on the trail. Luckily I didn't run him over! Then two deer hopped out about 8 feet in front of me. They ran parallel with me down the trail for almost a full minute before ducking off to the right.
Pretty and quiet. Flat surface that is easy to run on. Not very crowded. Not super exciting for photos because it all looks the same. It is straight through so it is definitely a good trail if you want to run without being diverted due to closures or accidentally getting off track. I didn't see any wildlife out of the ordinary birds and squirrels.
The trail has been extended into Lewiston with fantastic views of the lower river to Lake Ontario. The new section of the trail starts at 9th and Seneca and is a not too steep climb up the escarpment. Once at the top, the trail is on the old Robert Moses Pkwy pavement and over the dam to Devils Hole with many rough pavement joints.
The trail needs to be resurfaced, many holes to avoid. The trail needs to be wider to avoid traffic. Best part is a great view. The state needs to trim the trees to avoid riders from getting hurt.
Rode from Amsterdam to Fultonville And back had a great ride on a great day. Newly paved section starting about halfway to Fultonville stopped at the Schoharie Crossing historic site very interesting and great subs in Fultonville the new bridge and park in Amsterdam is very nice too....
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