Find the top rated birding trails in Tonawanda, 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.
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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.
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.
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.
There is a section of the trail like others have mentioned going through Niawanda Park that is very beautiful but then a lot of the little connecting trails take you through parts of town that is under construction and the roads are god awful.
A great place to workout in the buffalo area while enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature. The trail is perfect for biking, walking, and even rollerblading. The changes in elevation are slight, but enough to add to the challenge. The trail is faulty lengthy, maybe 6 miles? I ended up picking up another trail that lead to the Erie Canal and up to Lockport. I went in July of 2021 - perfect at 7am. There are several bathroom throughout the trail. There’s tennis courts so bring a racquet! There’s also a golf course. Plenty of parking - free!!
Rode it today. 1/2 of it is under construction. It's an easy ride, not a lot of traffic on the paved road. Beautiful scenery, it'll be great when it done.
Signage coming into Rome traveling east, or leaving Rome traveling west, is non-existent. Expect to travel on busy city roads. Trail Links is a bit better than the Erie Canalway booklet in navigating this, but it’s still a challenge. Lots of construction in Utica and the trail east of Leland Ave is closed.
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