Explore the best rated trails in Skaneateles, NY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Erie Canalway Trail and Auburn Trail (Pittsford-Farmington) . With more than 31 trails covering 511 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.
Rode the Catherine Valley Trail in September 2025. We began at the Tops grocery store in Watkins Glen and ended at a nice picnic area. The trail was mostly good shape except near the end where it was a little muddy and slippery. Nice trail would recommend.
Best part of our stop in Ithica. We enjoyed the trail. We started at Cass park and the reward was the beautiful Taughannock Falls. There were Ithica green deal bikes for rent at the trail head if you're in town without a bike.
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
This trail is on an old trolley line so the grades and curves are greater. The surfaces are as indicated on the description. The steep grade on the Dresden end needs a better surface. We rode on Cat Trikes and enjoyed the trail very much
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
Driving across NY, wanted an exercise break, & got to see a Finger Lake . This rails to trail reminds one of the variety one can expect to see across the broader network of trails. If one parks at the southern end in Horsehead just off of interstate 86, it is really 27 miles up & back. The northern end is at Lake Seneca and Watkins’s Glen - a fun town with lots of little cafes and interesting stores. Along the way, one can see a beautiful waterfall, pretty churches, a canal, decrepit buildings, forests and marshes. Biking surfaces are definitely varied (grass, dirt, gravel, pavement, bridges) and depending on wetness, better done on tires with better treads. E-bikes were perfect on a moist day. My husband would have been happier if we had driven to a further north trailhead to reduce mileage and take up less time.
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.
We did the trail on a trip to the Finger Lakes. The trail surface was terrible. Evidently, someone decided that the trail surface needed some TLC. The problem was that the remedy was worse than the previous condition. I would describe riding the trail like riding an existing railroad bed with the ties inplace and a layer of talc on top. And that's with a gravel bike with 2.2" tires. When I got back to the car, there were 2 other riders loading their bikes and they both said how they had to turn around because the trail was so bad. The scenery wasn't anything special and there was constant noise from cars on highway 14 which paralleled the trail. Signage was also poor and there were numerous times that you weren't sure where the trail was. All in all not the worst trail but don't think I would ever come back.
En fait, la surface est inégale pour le vélo, parfois poussière de roche, parfois gazon, parfois gravier. Le sentier est mal indiqué lorsqu’on part de Watkins Glen. Et la fin s’arrête brusquement. Sans moyen autre que la route pour accéder au village de horsehead et restos du coin.
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.
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!
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