Explore the best rated trails in Buffalo, 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 27 trails covering 540 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.
Trail is not very well kept. Several large piles of dumped household items, garbage and tires all along the trail. No markings or signs. Would not suggest this one.
Did a small section from Jordan to Solvay. Nice Ride about 14.5 miles on a cooler sunny day. Muddy in a couple spots. Hope to complete more sections soon ¿¿¿
Grew up in Tonawanda walking the train tracks when this was active rail line- website description states a northern terminus at State and Young Streets in Tonawanda- actually, cross Young Street and continue north on an old train trestle across Ellicott Creek and the trail will end at Fillmore Avenue- make a left under the Tonawanda Viaduct train trestle and follow this for less than a mile to the trail that follows the old Erie Canal and downtown Tonawanda and North Tonawanda (restaurants and bathrooms).
My partner and I did a circuit this past summer around Buffalo- went south on the Tonawanda Rails to Trail, making a stop at Anderson's on Sheridan Drive near the trail for some of their famous homemade ice cream (and a bathroom break!). Continued down the trail to its southern terminus in Buffalo at Shoshone Park. Overall, the path was well paved and smooth, fairly level- Not very scenic- passing by light industrial areas and through residential neighborhoods.
Made our way east on Hertel Avenue over to and south down Main Street (admittedly on the sidewalk- road is rough) to Amherst Street- at this point, you could enter the Amherst Station for the Metro Rail and ride the subway with your bike downtown and to Canalside- we chose instead to head westward through the Parkside neighborhood on Amherst
Street and along Delaware Park, turning on Nottingham Terrace where we caught the Jesse Kregal Pathway westward along Scajaquada Creek. Some surface street riding got us to dedicated bike lanes on Niagara Street going south, eventually connecting to the Shoreline Trail just north of the Peace Bridge. Weaved our way down to and through Canalside and worked our way through an industrial area along Ganson Street (should have been along Ohio Street but had to turn around as then Ohio Street lift bridge was closed for repairs- saving grace was the aroma of baking Wheaties at the General Mills factory!). Finally went under the NY 5 overpass to the entrance of Buffalo Harbor State Park. At this point we retraced our steps back north along the Shoreline Trail, all the way back to Tonawanda and the start of the trail.
Whew! 39 miles, mostly in the rain but it comes with the territory in Buffalo.
Yes, Buffalo is a Rust Belt city, but it is experiencing a resurgence of sorts- obviously you will need cross country skis in the winter but bring the bike in the spring, summer or fall to really experience the city, and make a detour to see the Falls.
Make sure to watch when you get about 1/2 way to buffalo for the trail has changed make sure to watch road markings.
The GVG is advertised as a Hybrid bike trail to ride comfortably. Don't believe it. This is a Mountain Bike trail. Lots of long stretches of bumpy dirt and grass legs.
We tried this trail after a day of rain. The portion that is not paved was impassable. Deep ruts of water and mud everywhere. Might be ok for a fat tired mountain bike but awful for cruisers. We quit and walked back. We will try again after a dry spell although the dirt portion is very bumpy.
This trail was in absolutely beautiful condition, very smooth and great scenery.
Awesome, well-maintained multi-use trail! Buggy in woody areas, as can be expected, fine in the sun. Walked the whole thing out and back (24.2 miles) in a day. Variety of views: classic rail-trail, middle of valleys / mountains, in the midst of marshes, along lakes and ponds, in various woods, and across a continental divide. Features 6 railroad-turned-pedestrian bridges, and 5 parking areas. There are a few gazebos in Little Valley, but beyond that, no benches / rest areas. No bathrooms along the trail. There is a lean-to about half a mile south of the most northern terminus. Trail shares over a mile with the Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail: these can be taken into Allegany State Park if desired. Note: interpretative signage runs north to south.
On this trail you will spend time in a jungle of power lines for one part, then cruise along a creek for another, spend a brief time near neighborhoods and finally hit a beautiful park. There are a few bumpy spots but for the most part the path is in good shape. My favorite part is ending right across from the Niagara River between Niawanda Park and Isle View Park.
8/24/22 -Great parking and wonderful refurbished caboose, with brand new restrooms. But trail is only paved for about a 100 yards. Trail immediately west of parking goes to 1-2 inch rocks and is impossible to ride a hybrid bike on the trail. Check back here soon, it appears churchville is improving the trail.
The trail starting in Churchville on Buffalo St is just NOT good at all for biking. I did 1/2 mile going west and a couple of bikers heading east stopped and said the rest of the trail is just like this. Very rocky and will beat you and the bike up and not worth the trip. So , in my view it's very unenjoyable and don't waste your time.
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