Find the top rated running trails in Cayuga, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Rode the trail on my gravel bike from Knickerbocker Rd near the Erie Canal, then down to Victor and back here in the late fall after all the leaves were down. The scenery is definitely different without the leaves affording a better view of the creeks and streams that run alongside and under the trail. The crushed stone surface is smooth and well-maintained. Overall, it was a great ride! Highly recommended.
Rode this trail on October 31st. Still beautiful colors. At the 1.2 mile had to move 2 trees that fell across the trail. Otherwise trail well maintained. The park at the end is lovely. Crossed over Rt 20 and had lunch at The Beef & Brew. They were very accommodating letting us tuck our bikes in an alcove while we enjoyed a great lunch. Will post pictures too
Took out bikes on this trail on a lovely fall day — some nice fall colors. Negative is lack of signage, which caused us to go the wrong way at one intersection. Found it easier to bike the road than on the hill portion of Maple Avenue than on the very tiny strip of bike trail on the hill. Biked the trail in the flatter portion of the the Maple Ave. trail.
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