Find the top rated birding trails in Lancaster, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_50126_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
4 (or 5) stars
On October 28th my wife and I parked in the parking lot of the old Batavia Daily News building, now for lease or sale, at the southwest corner of Industrial Blvd. and Route 33
(Pearl St.) and directly across Industrial Blvd. from the western trailhead.
The trail is as varied as advertised in the TrailLink writeup. It seemed longer than it is as a result of the changes in scenery.
The Ellicott St. section is well signed and safe, but with a traffic level we try to avoid. Directional markers are both above ground and embedded in the sidewalk.
The pleasant, but short section through Elmwood Cemetery was a pleasant contrast to Ellicott St.. We’d never before encountered a rail trail through a cemetery.
The DeWitt Recreation Area, through which the trail travels, is outstanding in its diversity in scenery, side trails and outdoor opportunities.
Near the end of the ride and to lengthen a short ride for us, we took a left at Red Oak Ln. riding through the Oakwood Hills neighborhood, then made a right on Seven Springs Rd. along which we picked up the eastern trail head.
On our return ride, we avoided Ellicott St. by crossing it onto Clifton Ave. from Harvester Ave. and then riding through a residential neighborhood to regain the trail at Evans St.
Glenn and Joan Wallis
As you come into Utica, there is a construction area that would benefit from some temporary signs. You ride down a small hill into a wide open area. Once you do this, you will find that there is no sign that should direct riders to go left. Going left will take you across railroad tracks, and to one of the locks. You cross the lock and rejoin the trail. If you make the mistake and take a right instead of going left, you will be forced to ride into Utica on a busy road. Other than needing a sign at this location in Utica, the trail is amazing. We road from Syracuse to Albany.
Trail is smooth and wide with many locations that connect with the wall along the gorge for great views. Trail connects to the falls, Goat Island and a trail that extends 4 miles east from Goat Island along the Niagara River. During busy times consider parking east of the falls along Niagara Scenic Parkway pullouts then bike to the falls.
I posted a review of a segment of the trail which I believe is unsafe. At the same time I contacted the agency that has responsibility for maintaining the segment. They immediately responded and have since, according to them, addressed the problems of surface degradation.
On August 20, 2021 I rode the trail between Fishell Rd and W River Rd, a 3.2 mile segment. It is dangerous, the erosion has caused the surface to be uneven and very loose. This segment needs immediate maintenance. I am an experienced cyclist and was riding a "gravel" bike.
Overall a beautiful trail. Great opportunities to stop with very picturesque views.
2021: Biked the Erie Canal trail from Buffalo to Cohoes. Well worth the time. And mostly a very pleasant experience, with just a few caveats. Trail improvements are ongoing and signage along the trail is not always up to date, so check your route carefully, especially where it is on-road. The initial section from downtown Buffalo is grungy city streets, but that improves with a great, mostly off-road trail all the way to Lyons. Lockport to Spencerport is fairly exposed, but from there on to Lyons is generally pleasantly green and shaded. From Clyde to Port Byron and through Syracuse were onroad and not always clearly signed and were the least pleasant. From the east side of Syracuse all the way to Cohoes was a delightful and beautiful ride, with the exception of finding one's way onroad and with poor signage through Rome. All in all (despite my caveats) a good, local, human-powered bucket-list endeavor, with thanks to all the communities along the way and everyone maintaining and improving and filling the gaps in the trail.
Park in Lehigh Crossing Park. Head west on the gravel road and make your first right up the gravel road, before the pond. At the top of the hill you will enter the Lehigh Valley railroad bed that has been graded and rolled with stone dust. Continue all the way to the Genesee River and the Greenway Trail. Enjoy your ride.
9/1/2021: Biked this trail from west (at the Genesee Greenway trail) to east (connection with the Auburn trail) as part of the Rochester Gravel Bike Loop. As a rail-trail, it was flat, level and straight, with a combination of overpasses, underpasses and grade crossings at surface streets, with just one short awkward road segment (Fishell Road) to cross under I-390. The weather had been hot and dry so there were no muddy sections. The trail corridor is mostly wide, tree-lined and pleasant, usually with either woods or fields beyond, sometimes Honeoye creek. Aside from a soft 1/4 mile at the west end, the surface was in great condition, packed stone dust, sometimes with a grass "median". There were also pleasant town parks as stopping points along the way. Mid-day on a weekday -- light traffic - met perhaps 10 other bicyclists in the 15 miles.
Started at Salamanca. 90% grass covered and wet. A lot of muddy patches, difficult to pedal. Only went 3 miles and turned around.
It is shaded.
My all time favorite trail anywhere. And the stairs at the end of it are a great workout.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
