Find the top rated running trails in Massena, 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.
Just rode this trail 7/26/16 from Route 86 - nice trail - from about 2.3 - 2.6 miles, there are a lot of roots across the trail making for a bumpy and slow ride - at about 4.5 miles, the trail begins to get sandy and the pedaling gets tougher - the trail was dry and did not appear to be impacted by any beavers - in the open areas, there are great views of the bog and some lower mountains - even this late in July, there were a few black flies that hovered and swarmed when stopped - overall a nice ride to spend about 1-2 hours on
Not sure why the map shows the trail going where it goes. That's not the route of the Maple City Trail. Look instead on the opposite side of the Oswegatchie River where you will see a trail marked "Maple City Trail". That's the rail-trail. What you see on the map may or may not be a trail, but it's definitely not a trail-trail.
Anyway, all that aside, the trail follows the route of the DeKalb Branch of the New York York Central. It came off the current CSX line in a wye, and headed straight up to Heuvelton where it curved through the town, then straight up to Ogdensburg. Parts of the railbed are kept open by private landowners, some of whom don't post the property.
The rail-trail itself is marked, paved, and goes from the middle of the city to the first bridge over the Oswegatchie. It's a nice bicycle ride, if rather short. It's more appropriate for walkers, which it sees plenty of. There are a few park benches along the way to enjoy a view of the river.
This trail is very hard to find, and it took us more than an hour of driving around before we found the entrance. (I enclosed a picture of the entrance).
Basically, you drive 1.7 miles north of the Adirondack Medical Center, after Trudeau Road, you need to look for a dirt path on your right. The only sign is a wooden figure of a guy riding a tractor, there is a number on it which says 1951.
After you pull in there are 3 parking spots on the left. Do not go to the driveway on the right because it's a private property. The entrance to the trail is just pass the gate, behind the 3 parking spot.
My youngest daughter came with me and she's 9 yrs old. She has no problems at all. The trail is basically a straight path which takes approx. 1 hour if you go slowly. It is about 4-5 miles long, and it ends with a 2nd gate, beyond that is a highway. We did not cross the highway, although the map says there are a few more miles and loops around a small lake.
There are no hills or turns, it is basically a straight path on dirt, gravel and some muddy spot. The roughest part is a ditch on the ground, and some tree roots which makes the road bumpy.
The entire route is scenic and there are bogs, streams, marshlands, beaver dams and small swamps along the way. Lots of birds and wildlife.
Great for young families.
The section from Rt 86 to County Rt 55 is just 5 miles. The northern section is not in as good shape. It is just 2.8 miles from the center of Saranac Lake Village to the dirt road to the right where there is a large Saint Bernard sign on a mail box. There is parking just inside to the left and trail just above to the left. You can tell you are getting to the right place on the highway when you see two hills with a bog between. The beaver dams have been removed and the three short water puddles can be walked on the left. Further on the tree roots are rough and require some short walks. One spot with a deep gash caused by beavers and the storm is marked with an old metal sign for people to lift their bikes over. There was a bad storm recently with more than 12 large trees down across the trail but two local volunteers have cleaned them up on the soutern 5 mile section but not yet on the northern 11 miles. There is good parking at Rt 55 (Bloomingdale Road).
I rode this trail in July of 2012 and it was nice. The tail was dry, but it had a 1/2 mile of tree roots to ride over, but the rest of the trail was really nice. Due to the recent wind storm that came through here. There was a few trees blown over the path, but I only seen a few tree thou. The rest of the trail was nice, I say that this trail is for Beginners to intermediate. Simple trail to ride, I don't have a picture yet, but I will have one submitted so other people can see it.
I rode this trail in 2006. It is wet from beavers and bumpy from roots just as described, but it's a lot of fun and you get some gorgeous views. Definitely worth riding it, and don't let the water scare you. It's only water and just a foot deep.
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