Explore the best rated trails in Endicott, NY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and South Hill Recreation Way . With more than 17 trails covering 146 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 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!
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.
You start out in a lovely park and you end in a lovely park. In the middle, figuratively speaking, there is a wonderful farmers market. If you go on a weekend then the trail has a bit of foot and bike traffic so if time and speed are important, use this trail during off hours. But for a pleasant ride it is terrific. The one down side is it is poorly marked. the signs are small and there are a number of alternate paths. signs are facing one way but not the other. But not too bad. I recommend this trail if you are looking for an easy outing with no hills and meeting nice people.
We enjoyed this ride mid morning on a July day. Meandering along the waterfront, watching kids learn to row at the park, to the marina at the NW end. Osprey platform past the Marina with fledging ospreys. Somehow we did7mikes out fledge age
The asphalt part was great, but not long enough. I was on the Scranton part of the trail near the university of Scranton ball field. Very pretty along the river. I did not feel safe or comfortable on the dirt/grass pathways. Definitely would need a buddy to travel further. Pathways weren’t well marked. I followed one path that ended with a no trespassing sign. It’s not a bike trail I would go back to - not worth the effort.
Wife and I started at Luciana Park and road south for about 4 miles. It was during the week and we had the trail to ourselves. Enjoyable ride headed South, felt like a steady upgrade most the way. Shaded and nice river views most the way. Without being disrespectful to the custodians of the restrooms at Luciana Park……..Find a rest room before you use these! Serious.
Reading prior reviews almost crossed this trail off our "to do" list, but so glad we didn't. First of all, this is NOT a flat rail trail, which is good if you are looking for a little more of a challenging ride that's not just another rail trail. There is 650' elevation gain over the 14 miles from Watkins Glen to EK Birding Trail parking lot just south of Pine Valley which is currently the southernmost parking area for the trail we found as of 7/2023.
Surfaces range from rough and smooth gravel to dirt/grass to asphalt trail and roads. Much of the trail is shaded and in the woods and while not groomed, nothing was overgrown.
Plenty of places to stop for water or a snack/meal along the way. There was also a bike repair stand on the trail by the Post Office in Millport just before the pedestrian bridge over Route 14. Hardly any other bikes on the trail and only a few walkers which was surprising for such a beautiful sunny and not too hot July Saturday afternoon.
There are a few sections on the southern end close to heavily traveled and noisy Route 14. Still don't miss the southern section if you like a little non-technical single and double track through the woods and a covered pedestrian bridge which goes over Route 14.
Just south of Watkins Glen you go through the quaint town of Montour Falls where you can visit the unique Shequaga Falls Park just off the trail on South Genesee Street. Once you leave Montour Falls you'll go through the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area and past several marinas on the run into Watkins Glen.
Last 1-2 miles of northern section of the trail is through the town of Watkins Glen to get to the beautiful marina at the southern end of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen has lots of shops and restaurants including a harbor side brew pub and eatery where you can sit on the wharf and sip craft beers and watch sailboats on the lake.
Only complaint is trail is not well-marked, but if you use Traillink App trail map you can use the your location feature to get you back on track quickly. We did not experience any dead cellphone service areas on our trip.
Is this trail for everyone? Depends, since whatever you ride it's what you choose to make of it. If you are looking for a more social ride with less challenging terrain start your trip from Watkins Glen since wherever you decide to turn around it's all downhill back to the marina. Either way it's worth checking out this trail for yourself!
Not a big fan, did the entire trail and although the conditions are fine there just isn’t much to see.
Just my opinion, this is a great walking trail. Not long, paved with wide paths. I am sure it’s because it’s a holiday weekend, but it was jam packed and not at all friendly for bikes. People don’t move, they walk 3 or 4 across. Not enjoyable for biking.
Did this trail yesterday from Ararat to Forest city - incredible beauty. Felt it was downhill till FS, but weirdly also felt it was downgrade on the way back? But I was upwind. Couldn’t find parking at Thompson - wasn’t sure of Startucca.
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