Explore the best rated trails in East Rochester, NY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Erie Canalway Trail and Ellicott Trail . With more than 28 trails covering 608 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.
I love this trail. There's a trailhead right down the street from where I go to school up in Rochester, and it makes for a great endurance ride on a late summer or early fall day. Typically, I'll pick up the trail head and ride south down to Wadsworth Junction, where I can then pick up the Lehigh Valley trail. Generally speaking I have nothing bad to say about this trail. It's pretty well maintained, has some beautiful scenery, and a lot of cool history scattered throughout. However, a word of caution: It was the Sunday before Columbus day, I had some time to kill, and I decided I wanted to take the trail down to the Junction point in Piffard (Not the same as Pittsford). At this point in time, I hadn't gone anywhere past Wadsworth junction yet, so I was pretty much riding blind. As I got further south past Wadsworth, the terrain got significantly more sketchy. Trenches, muddy conditions, and A LOT of hedge apples. Not to mention the sheer amount of leaves that had fallen making it hard to plot a line ahead. Against all odds, I made it to my destination, and back in one piece, having only wiped out once. The moral of this story is, while the trail is awesome, do not attempt with out proper preparation. If you're like me, and you like to ride a gravel setup for versatility, be warned that standard gravel tires are probably not enough for the southern part of this trail specifically, and you might want to swap them for something more grippy (e.g. a cx tire) if you plan on going further. Great trail! Ride with caution.
This is a very good trail that needs maintenance. Chic the bridge and cut the fallen trees. The connection to the state park needs improvement Still worth the ride
We rode this whole trail (16+miles) on 9/14/25. The trail was amazing. There are a few spots with a significant amount of small gravel when my e-bike sunk into the gravel. Overall the trail was in great shape it the ride was truly enjoyable.
Have done this trail twice. Once last fall and September 2025. Nice trail that ends at north end of Seneca lake w nice lunch options in Geneva. There is a sign about a bridge being closed. It wasn’t but there were 2 holes that you need to avoid and need to be fixed. There also is a wooden switchback structure that gets you to a lower level that’s fun to ride (or walk). Follows the canal on one side and fields on the other.and very pretty in the fall
I’ve gone through the entire trail several times and it’s a relaxing ride the most part! The only issue is on the eastern most portion of the trail from Victor Rd. to Pannell Rd. where there’s a couple patches of the trail that has too much stones packed in certain spots which almost caused me to lose control.
As of August 2025, the northern route is impossible to traverse due to construction and trail closures with no indication of detours. While the entrance to the trail does indicate that the initial bridge is closed on weekdays, there is no indication of trail closures along the route on weekends. I generally bike south toward the Erie Canal trail, which is generally fine, but wanted to try the northern route to Lake Ontario on a gorgeous summer day. Unfortunate choice!
Very short walk but very even, no hills. Bring bug spray! Also Cooley road entry is very hard to see with car, be careful! I recommend parking on the opposite road.
About 2-3 miles heading East from the West trail head, encountered a few places where trees were down across the path from a recent severe rainstorm. Decided to turn back. I’m going to try the East trail head and head West on another day.
Beautiful trail. Well maintained. Headed west from Henrietta first, a little secluded. Only went about 2 miles then headed east to lock 33. Felt safer going east. Full of exercise traffic… love to see that!
I ran on this trail yesterday - the paved section in Churchville is like everyone says it is, very nice and smooth and a great little walking area for villagers and visitors, it’s very short but still very nice and quaint; the rest of the trail heading west to Bergen, is quite rough - I parked at the parking area by the train car and ran down to Rt 19 and back for a 4 mile run - let me say I am glad I was wearing my Altra Olympus trail runners as they have a decently high stack height - that 3” highway crusher stone is way rugged and you won’t only feel it every time you take a step but you can lose your footing on occasion as well - I myself did enjoy the trail as I don’t mind something different, I’m usually on the Greenway in Scottsville Chili area and that is so nicely finished with stone dust it definitely spoils you; the paved area is great for family and kids but going on the gravely area heading towards Bergen is not recommend it unless you have muck boots on and an off-road type of stroller as mentioned in comments before mine that there are massive puddles that are the full width of the trail in spots and there’s no avoiding them…. Also I could see this section being too rugged for a hybrid or gravel bike as well - an actual mountain bike with wider rugged tires would be the best way to approach it…. When it comes to this West Shore Trail just approach it with the proper expectations and have the right gear - a nice pair of trail runner with a thick sole or tall stack height will help you lot here, and use the proper bike on it as well, you’ll easily risk flat tires and wheel/rim damage if not…. As a runner I enjoyed this quite a bit and will return again, I definitely appreciated the swampy views and the birds and the wild life that make this trail what it is, it also has this nice empty desolate feeling once you’re moving that makes you feel alone and rather removed from the business of every day life, I truly enjoyed it and will be back again soon - very glad to have experienced such a gem…. ¿¿
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