Explore the best rated trails in Dunkirk, 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 28 trails covering 467 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.
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.
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.
Yes, it’s flat and straight, but so beautiful! Lots of wildlife- a spotted fawn leapt out of the path as I came by. Butterflies, blue jays, a pond, a quaint wooden fence… Due to its proximity to a regional airport, you even get to see a few small airplanes pass over. Also when I went they had a porta-potty at Pavement Road I think.
On August 12, 2022 I rode my bicycle on the Erie Canalway trail from Port Byron to the Erie Canal Park and Museum in Camillus (which is on the trail) and back, approximately 19 miles each way. It was a dry, sunny day in the 80’s. The surface was mostly crushed gravel and packed earth with a few stretches on asphalt in the breakdown lane of some local roads where the trail diverged from the canal. The condition was good to excellent except for the final short stretch near Camillus which was unacceptable because erosion in two areas created the dangerous possibility of falling into the canal and because the trail was too narrow for two bikes in opposite directions to safely pass each other. For this small section, I recommend riding on the local road on the other side of the concrete barrier dividing this path from the local road. The surface on this local road was only fair secondary to potholes and cracks in the asphalt.
The museum in the Camillus Erie Canal Park is open 12-4 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and is open from 1-5 PM on Sunday. Most sections of the Erie Canalway Trail from Port Byron to Camillus run along a non-navigable branch of the Erie Canal which is very shallow and is overgrown with algae or cattail plants or is filled in with dirt. Other sections go through wooded areas, rural areas, farmland and the small town of Weedsport.
This trail is short but connects to another if you need a longer ride. The lampposts make it feel historic and quaint. It’s in great condition.
It's about 1.39 miles paved. At both ends, it terminates into streets without marked bike lands.
This is a beautiful little spot! It’s short but has lots of woods and a wonderful old train station and a few train cars. So cool!
Road stretch of trail from Canastota to Route 290 trail head and return. Total 28.6 miles. Trail in great condition but stretches of Erie Canal are still standing/ stagnant algae. It was 90+ degrees. Lovely gift of a case of cold water at 290 trail head. The surprise gift was much needed by riders/runners. Posting this to keep track of completed sections as I don’t see that feature on trail link. Perhaps it will be added.
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