Explore the best rated trails in Tonawanda, 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 19 trails covering 408 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.
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Opened in 2016, Tonawanda Rails to Trails offers a paved linear route through the Tonawanda community north of Buffalo. The rail-trail was built atop the former Erie Lackawanna Railway, which carried...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will run for 360 miles in upstate New York—from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east—linking many other communities along the way, including Rochester,...
Ellicott Creek Trailway is an asphalt path used for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. This multiuse pathway travels along Ellicott Creek—a 47-mile waterway that flows from Bennington to the...
The Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail, formerly known as the Robert Moses Recreational Trail, spans nearly 4 miles beginning at Main Street in Niagara Falls. From there, it heads north past the Niagara...
A smooth, flat asphalt ride that allows you to discover the town's railroad history (and present), the Cheektowaga Rails to Trails pathway is a great community asset for this Buffalo suburb. About 1.5...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
Although only about a mile in length, Buffalo’s Greenway Nature Trail packs in the views. The paved pathway provides access to the city’s Outer Harbor not only for pedestrians and bicyclists, but also...
North Buffalo Rails to Trails offers a tree-lined paved pathway through Minnesota Linear Park in the University Heights neighborhood. Although less than a mile long, it offers two important links in...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
True to its name, the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail traces the eastern edge of the Niagara Gorge, offering connections to three state parks and spectacular views of the Niagara River below and the...
Two former rival railroad corridors that crossed in Buffalo’s eastern suburbs now form a nearly 18-mile paved trail system called Clarence Pathways in Clarence, Newstead, and Akron. Five trails...
The Shoreline Trail in Erie County, New York, is 21.7 miles of flat, easy pathway that runs adjacent to Lake Erie, one of the country’s Great Lakes, on its southern half and then along the Niagara...
The Lancaster Heritage Trail begins in an eastern outer suburb of Buffalo and unwinds 4 paved miles into the delightful wooded countryside. Benches made of natural materials, including boulders, are...
Although only about a mile in length, Buffalo’s Greenway Nature Trail packs in the views. The paved pathway provides access to the city’s Outer Harbor not only for pedestrians and bicyclists, but also...
True to its name, the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail traces the eastern edge of the Niagara Gorge, offering connections to three state parks and spectacular views of the Niagara River below and the...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
The Lancaster Heritage Trail begins in an eastern outer suburb of Buffalo and unwinds 4 paved miles into the delightful wooded countryside. Benches made of natural materials, including boulders, are...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
The Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail, formerly known as the Robert Moses Recreational Trail, spans nearly 4 miles beginning at Main Street in Niagara Falls. From there, it heads north past the Niagara...
Two former rival railroad corridors that crossed in Buffalo’s eastern suburbs now form a nearly 18-mile paved trail system called Clarence Pathways in Clarence, Newstead, and Akron. Five trails...
The Devil's Hole Trail offers a moderately challenging hike within Devil's Hole State Park. The rail-trail follows the route of a former trolley line built in the Niagara Gorge in 1895. Railroad...
The key word in describing the Pat McGee Trail in western New York is variety. The rail-trail rolls for more than 12 miles across the Allegheny Plateau between Cattaraugus and Salamanca, passing...
Opened in 2016, Tonawanda Rails to Trails offers a paved linear route through the Tonawanda community north of Buffalo. The rail-trail was built atop the former Erie Lackawanna Railway, which carried...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
North Buffalo Rails to Trails offers a tree-lined paved pathway through Minnesota Linear Park in the University Heights neighborhood. Although less than a mile long, it offers two important links in...
The Great Gorge Railway Trail is truly a gem. Nestled between the Niagara River and the Niagara Scenic Parkway, this short but stunning rail-trail offers unparalleled access and views of one of North...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
A smooth, flat asphalt ride that allows you to discover the town's railroad history (and present), the Cheektowaga Rails to Trails pathway is a great community asset for this Buffalo suburb. About 1.5...
The Shoreline Trail in Erie County, New York, is 21.7 miles of flat, easy pathway that runs adjacent to Lake Erie, one of the country’s Great Lakes, on its southern half and then along the Niagara...
Ellicott Creek Trailway is an asphalt path used for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. This multiuse pathway travels along Ellicott Creek—a 47-mile waterway that flows from Bennington to the...
_50126_sc.jpg)
The Groveland Secondary Trail follows a portion of abandoned right-of-way of the old Groveland Branch of the Erie Lackawanna between York and Alexander. The York terminus begins just east of Main...
When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will run for 360 miles in upstate New York—from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east—linking many other communities along the way, including Rochester,...
The Two Mile Creek Greenway runs from East Park Drive near I-290 to the Niagara River in the town of Tonawanda. The trail follows along Two Mile Creek, passing through Veterans Memorial Park, and ends...
The Groveland Secondary Trail follows a portion of abandoned right-of-way of the old Groveland Branch of the Erie Lackawanna between York and Alexander. The York terminus begins just east of Main...
This trail starts in the Village of Lewiston off Mohawk Street just North of Center Street. Park at Kiwanis Park in the Village. Trail goes North and follows the Niagara Scenic Parkway to Pletcher...
Opened in 2016, Tonawanda Rails to Trails offers a paved linear route through the Tonawanda community north of Buffalo. The rail-trail was built atop the former Erie Lackawanna Railway, which carried...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
The Lancaster Heritage Trail begins in an eastern outer suburb of Buffalo and unwinds 4 paved miles into the delightful wooded countryside. Benches made of natural materials, including boulders, are...
Just east of Buffalo, New York, lies the Lehigh Memory Trail in the Village of Williamsville. The pathway is a short paved trail that runs through the heart of the village. The trail can get crowded...
Although only about a mile in length, Buffalo’s Greenway Nature Trail packs in the views. The paved pathway provides access to the city’s Outer Harbor not only for pedestrians and bicyclists, but also...
North Buffalo Rails to Trails offers a tree-lined paved pathway through Minnesota Linear Park in the University Heights neighborhood. Although less than a mile long, it offers two important links in...
True to its name, the Niagara Gorge Rim Trail traces the eastern edge of the Niagara Gorge, offering connections to three state parks and spectacular views of the Niagara River below and the...
The Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail, formerly known as the Robert Moses Recreational Trail, spans nearly 4 miles beginning at Main Street in Niagara Falls. From there, it heads north past the Niagara...
The Great Gorge Railway Trail is truly a gem. Nestled between the Niagara River and the Niagara Scenic Parkway, this short but stunning rail-trail offers unparalleled access and views of one of North...
Two former rival railroad corridors that crossed in Buffalo’s eastern suburbs now form a nearly 18-mile paved trail system called Clarence Pathways in Clarence, Newstead, and Akron. Five trails...
Ellicott Creek Trailway is an asphalt path used for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. This multiuse pathway travels along Ellicott Creek—a 47-mile waterway that flows from Bennington to the...
The Shoreline Trail in Erie County, New York, is 21.7 miles of flat, easy pathway that runs adjacent to Lake Erie, one of the country’s Great Lakes, on its southern half and then along the Niagara...
When complete, the Erie Canalway Trail will run for 360 miles in upstate New York—from Buffalo in the west to Albany in the east—linking many other communities along the way, including Rochester,...
The key word in describing the Pat McGee Trail in western New York is variety. The rail-trail rolls for more than 12 miles across the Allegheny Plateau between Cattaraugus and Salamanca, passing...
A smooth, flat asphalt ride that allows you to discover the town's railroad history (and present), the Cheektowaga Rails to Trails pathway is a great community asset for this Buffalo suburb. About 1.5...
The Devil's Hole Trail offers a moderately challenging hike within Devil's Hole State Park. The rail-trail follows the route of a former trolley line built in the Niagara Gorge in 1895. Railroad...
We startes in Amsterdam,we parked on a dirt section on Cleveland Ave,little further down is a bigger paved lot.We did a little detour on Bridge Rd,nice pedestrian bridge(flowers & a few interesting sculptures.) Rode into Riverlink Park. Small park,but a cute little detour. Most of the trail was paved,there was a section that was bumpy.Pretty flat. About 4-5 miles was crushed stone/dirt.If it rained heavy may get muddy.We enjoyed the trail,a few street crossings.Was a pretty quite trail on a sunday.Was a mix of shade & sun. We seen some wildlife,seen a fisher & what looked like a weasel,was so quick.,so that was cool!.We rode to Sparkers. There was a cooler of waters & there was bathrooms across the street.(Courtesy of the church)We rode about 44 miles there & back,with detour. The trail is broken up into sections,so we rode this section. Hope to ride the Buffalo section..
Nice trail except for three sections that were closed due to construction, and gated due to only being open certain hours. We rode on a sunday morning. No alternate route offered for construction section of bike path. I would think weekends are when people ride bikes not sure why sections are gated shut then. The neighborhoods in those sections were sketchy.
My group of 4 started a bike trip from downtown Buffalo. Our plan included stops in Lockport and Brockport. The “canalway” trail out of Buffalo had many closed sections without properly marked detours. We were forced to figure out our own detours with the help of other bikers. Signs are desperately needed that give bikers proper detour paths (all on the road). As we moved east out of Tonawanda the trail improved and there were few detours. However, the NY Canal Corp is currently working on sections of the trail. They are adding a sand gravel mix that is very difficult t for riding bikes. All 4 of us had close calls with falling
The whole trail is under complete rebuilding. Detour through all city streets in bad areas. It will be a great ride someday, just not this year.
We didn’t care for this trail, north of the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center. The trail ran alongside a closed roadway, which was OK; nothing to see though. We only rode as far north as Whirlpool Bridge. We were detoured onto a sidewalk prior to the bridge. The detour was not pleasant. At Prospect Point area, bikes need to be walked. My favorite part of the ride was around Goat Island. Oh and the parking lot at which we wanted to park (Discovery Center) was closed. We ended up parking in Niagara Falls State Park parking lot. We have a N.Y. State Park Empire Pass, so we didn’t have to pay to park.
I intended to start my ride in Little Falls and even though I could see the trail here and there, I wasn't able to find a sign for parking. I kept going until I got to Herkimer Home where I knew there was parking. Behind Herkimer Home is the trail. I went west to Little Falls. The trail was excellent and well maintained. Parts of it were asphalt and parts were not paved, but I had no difficulties. The trail in this section was in better shape than I expected give this past winter and wet, wet spring.
I can't wait for the whole Erie Canalway Trail to finally be pieced together. What an amenity. Even though some pieces of the trail aren't far from the highway, the trail is enclosed by trees and vegetation so you don't see the cars and trucks. The vegetation also buffers out the noise.
The only thing that I would suggest and I hope that NYS Parks does is to put in mileage signs and some education signs along the way. I passed several manmade features that I wasn't sure what the original purpose was for. Maybe locals know their canal history, but visitors probably won't.
My family started on the trail at the Tift street entrance and biked up to Canalside stop. (Note: the $1 bike ferry over to Canalside opens Memorial Day and runs for the summer and part of the fall).
The path was a great surface the whole distance. There were several times where we had to stop before crossing the street, but it was clear that where it was possible trail planners had limited the number of stops cyclists would have to make.
I was most impressed by the level of thought that must have been put into the design of the trail and surroundings. There were sections that were sidewalk, wooden sections as if on a dock, and portions with different paving stones. Along the trail were a variety of bench styles and many historical signs and a bird sanctuary. It was clear that significant thought had been put into making it a visually interesting and appealing ride (and it was!). There was also an amazing playground en route that our toddler loved which was icing on the cake!
This section is very fragmented. You have to walk on the road for long distances. It’s really too bad because there is so much canal history in this stretch I would love to be able to walk it.
Nice bike path, but only port a potties were available for bathroom use. Also, path enters a farmer's market with signs asking bikers to walk their bikes through. Who puts a farmer's market in the middle of a bike path?
I have walked from Griegsville to just shy of East Bethany. I appreciated the fact that the railroad bridges were kept in good shape for walkers. Loved crossing the Oatka Creek and other creeks on the trail. It is a shame that the rocks (ballast) were not properly removed. The places this trail goes are truly lovely. Livingston County especially. I agree with the other commenter that it seems the only people that go on the Groveland Secondary are the very folks that aren't supposed to: ATVers. I stuck with it because I can't resist a trail, and like the places it goes. If the rocks were removed I would give it a high rating. I wonder what would it take to get this trail improved.
Ran here while on vacation in October,2018.Very scenic and quiet.Trail surface in outstanding shape considering rugged winters.If you want a trail with steep hills go to Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park.It's about 30 minutes away and will really challenge your running capability.
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