Find the top rated walking trails in New York, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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| Trail Image | Trail Name | States | Length | Surface | Rating |
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Following the route of the former Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Railway, the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail serves as a scenic oasis and community connector for residents living southwest of...
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NY | 9 mi | Asphalt |
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The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET) follows a 36-mile course through the former Albany-Hudson Electric Trolley corridor from Hudson to Rensselaer in New York State. The electric trolley ran for 30...
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NY | 36 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The towns of Allegany and Olean (OH-lee-an) sat at the hub of river, railroad, wagon road, and canal traffic during New York’s early history. It’s no wonder that today the area is home to a popular...
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NY | 8.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Andes Rail Trail begins in the quaint town of Andes in the beautiful Catskill Mountains region of southeastern New York and follows a branch of the former Delaware and Northern Railroad. At the...
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NY | 4 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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The Ashokan Rail Trail is an 11.5-mile multi-use trail that traces the northern edge of the Ashokan Reservoir, which provides a large proportion of New York City's drinking water. The trail sits on...
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NY | 11.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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With vistas of the Catskill Mountains and a vast blue lake, the Ashokan Reservoir Promenade is a stunner. The paved pathway begins in Olivebridge, a hamlet in southeastern New York, and spans just shy...
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NY | 2.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Auburn Trail is almost entirely sheltered on either side by trees as it meanders through residential and commercial areas. Running along the same former rail corridor as the Auburn Trail...
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NY | 2 mi | Crushed Stone |
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There are so many reminders from the heyday of the railroad age on the nearly 10-mile Auburn Trail that visitors might imagine they’re chugging through villages and countryside at the throttle of a...
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NY | 11 mi | Crushed Stone |
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This is a flat 1.6 mile trail through woods, wetlands and farmland connecting Rt. 34 in the Town of Fleming to Dunning Ave. in the City of Auburn. It is an easy walk or bike through a very scenic...
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NY | 1.6 mi | Ballast, Dirt |
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This asphalt trail is the legacy of an inter-urban trolley system operated by Schenectady Railway Company (SRC) in the early 1900s. To attract visitors on weekends, SRC built an amusement park at...
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NY | 3.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Battery Bikeway is a only a half a mile long but it is an important link in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway system, connecting the East River Greenway with the Hudson River Greenway to form a...
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NY | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The nicely paved Bethpage Bikeway runs alongside suburban roads for long segments of the route, but it’s much more than a suburban trail. Each on-road suburban stretch is broken up by one of three...
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NY | 13.4 mi | Asphalt |
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A pleasant walk between wetland habitat and farmland, this short community trail sits atop a sewer line that Corning Glassworks installed to serve its Big Flats plant. Corning provided the crushed...
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NY | 1.7 mi | Gravel |
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Just north of Albany, the Black Bridge Trail connects the communities of Waterford, Cohoes, and Green Island in eastern New York. As it parallels Delaware Avenue, it is sometimes referred to as the...
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NY | 2.1 mi | Asphalt |
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Notice: The Southern end of the trail, from Cass Park to Glenwood Heights Rd. may be experiencing daily trail closures on a high voltage power line. While the trail is not entirely closed, the...
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NY | 8.4 mi | Crushed Stone |
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This trail follows the Black River Canal Towpath that links Boonville to Foresport. Running from Erwin Park at Boonville to Alder Pond at Forestport, it is a quiet walk or bike trip through woods and...
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NY | 10 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
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This paved scenic trail, converted from the New York Central Railroad, follows a small portion of the Black River’s 114-plus miles. Originating in the Adirondack foothills, the Black River flows west...
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NY | 4.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Bloomindale Bog Trail is located in the Adirondack Forest Preserve and is used by mountain bikers and hikers. The trail follows an old rail bed, and its southern segment runs through a bog....
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NY | 16 mi | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
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Brickyard Trail offers a pleasant north-south route through the Town of Brighton, which sits on the southeastern outskirts of Rochester. Its name is a nod to the town's brickmaking industry dating...
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NY | 0.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Bronx River travels from the mouth of the East River north to the Kensico Dam, providing views of the natural history of the area. Because the trail is under development, there are several gaps...
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NY | 24.8 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
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The Catharine Valley Trail is a multiuse pathway that provides a comfortable and shaded biking experience through Upstate New York. High points include entering the historical town of Montour Falls,...
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NY | 14 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Cayuga-Seneca Canalway Trail is a 6.7-mile pathway beginning in Waterloo, New York and terminating at Seneca Lake State Park.
The roadbed it uses was constructed by the Seneca County Railway...
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NY | 6.7 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The Schuylerville segment of the 71-mile Champlain Canalway Trail rail runs between Schuyler House, past Lock 5 of the canal and does a loop around the island (Hudson Crossing Park). As of 2011, only...
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NY | 2 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Charlie Major Nature Trail follows an abandoned right-of-way that once carried trains along the old Skaneateles Short Line Railroad. The railroad served millworks in the area, including paper...
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NY | 1.2 mi | Cinder, Dirt |
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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...
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NY | 2.3 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NY | 17.9 mi | Asphalt |
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The Cross Island Parkway Trail closely follows its namesake thoroughfare through northeastern Queens. From its northern end, you will soon enter Little Bay Park, which offers lovely views of the...
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NY | 3.1 mi | Asphalt |
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Although the D & H Canal Towpath is a short pathway (about 1 mile roundtrip), it offers scenic views of the Delaware and Hudson Canal and the Delaware River in Minisink Ford, New York. You’ll see the...
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NY | 0.4 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Dryden Rail Trail is a developing trail that will someday connect with the East Ithaca Recreation Way, forming over 16 miles of continuous walking and biking in Tompkins County. But it's not just...
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NY | 10.4 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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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...
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NY | 6.9 mi | Asphalt |
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Closure Notices: In Palmyra/Wayne County, a portion of the trail is closed between route 21 and Swift Landing Park. In Oneida-Verona, Oneida County, a bridge replacement is taking place at the corner...
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NY | 335.2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk follows Staten Island's eastern shore from Miller Field -- a recreational area for sports, picnicking and bird watching -- to Fort Wadsworth. Highlights of the...
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NY | 2.7 mi | Boardwalk |
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By the early 1800s, Rochester had earned the nickname of Flour City because of its numerous mills that allowed the young town to rapidly become the largest flour producer in the United States. The...
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NY | 22.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NY | 1.2 mi | Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NY | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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Paralleling the Connecticut and Massachusetts borders, which lie only a few miles away, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail is a beautiful paved wooded pathway along the former New York & Harlem Railroad...
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NY | 23.8 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Built on the former Erie Railroad main line, the 15-mile Heritage Trail runs through the small Orange County towns of Goshen, Chester, Monroe, and Harriman. The shaded trail runs through different...
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NY | 19.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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The High Line trail runs 30 feet above the bustling Manhattan streets and sidewalks below, which for trail lovers makes it an attraction in the same league as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State...
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NY | 1.6 mi | Concrete |
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This pleasant community trail connects suburban residences close to the shore of Lake Ontario with a school, a church and a commercial area in Webster, New York. Near the trail's northwest end, it...
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NY | 4.8 mi | Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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While not a "rail-trail," the Hook Mountain/Nyack Beach Bikeway is a very scenic trail along the Hudson River in Rockland County.
The southern half of this trail is flat and runs right along the...
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NY | 4.9 mi | Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel |
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The Hudson River Greenway (HRG) is one of the most popular places to ride, walk, and jog in New York City. It makes up part of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway loop, the cross-state Empire State...
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NY | 12.9 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Offering a picturesque and family-friendly adventure, the Hudson Valley Rail Trail stretches 7.1 miles through hardwood forests, over Black Creek, and under two spectacular stone-arch bridges....
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NY | 7.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Hutchinson River Greenway offers a convenient alternative to the Hutchinson River Parkway, which it closely follows. Although adjacent to the busy thoroughfare, trees have been planted along the...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Snaking along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, the Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail provides a smooth journey infused with the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The nearly 7-mile trail...
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NY | 6.9 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete |
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The Jones Beach Boardwalk traverses Jones Beach State Park, running parallel (and south of) Ocean Parkway. The pleasant pathway offers views of the beach and the ocean. Although bicycles are...
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NY | 4 mi | Boardwalk |
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You might expect a 4-mile rail-trail that passes through three downtowns to be excessively urban, but the quaint town centers on the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail are compact and surrounded by...
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NY | 4.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Kennedy Trail begins at Brick Hill Road and ends at the northwest corner of the 68-acre campus of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers.
The cinder trail, built on a former rail bed,...
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NY | 1.7 mi | Cinder |
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The Keuka Outlet Trail offers a sinuous route of nearly 7 miles between Penn Yan and Dresden in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The rail-trail follows a railroad corridor that traced a former canal...
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NY | 6.7 mi | Asphalt, Ballast, Dirt, Gravel |
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The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail runs for 1.5 miles between Old Dock Road at Church Street in Kings Park and Nissequogue River State Park. The trail is a town of Smithtown park and follows an...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 4 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 0.71 mi | Asphalt |
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Located in the majestic Finger Lakes region, the Lehigh Valley Trail is a well-used gem with a sparkling future. Wandering 16.4 miles through beautiful landscapes and rich greenery, the trail connects...
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NY | 16.4 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Manchester Gateway Trail is a scenic route used by walkers and cyclers that follows the Canandaigua Outlet through Manchester. It has also been used for skiing during winter months. The trailhead...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Closure Notice: Due to flooding and storm damage, the Maybrook Trailway from Green Haven Rd. to Depot Hill Rd. See Empire State Trail for more current information.
The Maybrook Trailway is a paved...
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NY | 26.85 mi | Asphalt |
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The Mohawk River Trail is a pleasant, shared use pathway connecting residential sites, local parks & schools, historical sites and business districts within the city of Rome, New York. At its southern...
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NY | 3.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The New Springville Greenway stretches just over 3 miles, primarily paralleling Richmond Avenue on New York's Staten Island. A highlight of the paved pathway is its proximity to Freshkills Park, a...
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NY | 3.3 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 6.5 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 3.9 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 0.65 mi | Asphalt |
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The former “Old Put” commuter rail corridor that ran from the Bronx to northern bedroom communities in Westchester and Putnam Counties is popular once again, only this time it’s for people riding...
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NY | 20.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The North Shore Rail Trail, formerly known as the Rails to Trails Recreational Path, is a 10-mile multi-use recreational path and runs along the former Wading River railway corridor in Brookhaven—the...
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NY | 10 mi | Asphalt |
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Like Wantagh State Parkway, Ocean Parkway was built in the postwar 1930s to provide access to the crown jewel of the state park system, Jones Beach State Park. Unlike the former road, however, this...
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NY | 13.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Old Erie Path reveals spectacular views of the Hudson River Valley as the rail-trail rolls along cliffs that border the river’s western shore. Although fairly short, it joins two other...
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NY | 3 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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If you are near Corning, New York, and need a nice walk, check out this charming respite. The Painted Post Trail connects schools, playgrounds, other trails and residential neighborhoods west of...
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NY | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
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This rustic unpaved trail, just over three miles in length, runs along a route formerly used by the New York, Ontario, & Western Railway's Main Line through Parksville in Sullivan County, NY. The...
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NY | 3.2 mi | Cinder |
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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...
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NY | 12.1 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Grass |
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The Pendleton Rail Trail begins in the town of Pendleton and for just over 6 miles, travels northeast towards the town of Lockport where the trail connects to the Lockport Rail Trail.
The...
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NY | 6.2 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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The old New York Central rail line that ran from the Bronx to northern bedroom communities in Westchester and Putnam Counties carried commuters during the workweek, but on the weekends tourists...
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NY | 11.9 mi | Asphalt |
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The Railroad Run trail runs for just a half mile between West Circular Street and Congress Avenue in Saratoga Springs. The trail is part of a growing network throughout the town and county. There are...
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NY | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Raymond G. Esposito Memorial Trail travels from one end of the village of South Nyack to the other in 1 mile but greatly expands its reach by connecting with the Old Erie Path and a new shared-use...
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NY | 1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Connecting the Walkill River and Shawangunk Ridge, the aptly named River-to-Ridge Trail, which opened in September 2018, runs from New Paltz to the Mohonk Preserve. Begin at the Carmine Liberta Bridge...
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NY | 4.9 mi | Gravel |
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The town of Perinton, New York, has been hard at work improving the Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Trail, and it shows. Since 1996, when the American Hiking Society designated Perinton as a Trail...
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NY | 5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Roosevelt Island Greenway, a little-known gem in the Big Apple, was named after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1973. To reach this scenic pathway, board New York City’s only aerial tram,...
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NY | 3.8 mi | Asphalt |
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The Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail stretches just over 3 miles along Long Island’s north shore. Construction was completed in two phases with the first trail section opening in 2009...
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NY | 3.4 mi | Asphalt |
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The South County Trailway rolls 14.4 miles through one of the most densely populated parts of New York, but its route through pocket woodlots, parks, and golf courses and along riverbanks makes it...
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NY | 14.4 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The South Hill Recreation Way follows the southern rim of the Six Mile Creek gorge from the outskirts of southeast Ithaca to Burns Road, near the Ithaca Reservoir. The gravel path follows the former...
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NY | 3.3 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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Currently, the 1-mile Spring Run Trail extends between East Street just south of Excelsior Avenue and I-87, or the Northway, near Exit 15. Eventually, the trail will begin in Congress Park and run...
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NY | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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Tallman Mountain State Park Bike Path is partially paved and bisects the Tallman Mountain State Park. The route provides a motor-vehicle-free way for bicyclists using US Route 9W to connect with...
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NY | 2.1 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt |
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For family riding and walking, the Tannersville Bike Path offers a 2.7 mile stretch of graded dirt path starting on Clum Hill Road directly across from Cortina Valley. The opposite end is on Bloomer...
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NY | 2.7 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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This multi-use community trail is a hit with locals, and it appeals to visitorsespecially those with a yen for military history. Plattsburgh, New York, has figured in this country's war history from...
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NY | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
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Just an hour north of New York City, the Timp-Torne Trail offers a scenic hike through Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks with panoramic vistas of the Hudson River. The rugged blue-blazed trail...
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NY | 5.4 mi | Dirt |
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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...
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NY | 4.7 mi | Asphalt |
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This trail is the legacy of the first elevated roadway in the United States, constructed by William K. Vanderbilt in 1904. Vanderbilt created the parkway to get to his family’s estate in Long... |
NY | 3 mi | Asphalt |
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The WAG Trail snakes for 9 miles along the upper Genessee River. The trail follows the route of what was once a shortline operation called the Wellsville, Addison & Galeton (WAG) Railroad. Though the...
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NY | 9 mi | Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail is built on a former Conrail right-of-way. Conrail and its predecessors, Penn Central, New York Central, and The Wallkill Valley Railway, provided service to farmers...
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NY | 4.3 mi | Asphalt, Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park—the longest pedestrian bridge in the world at 1.28 miles—emerges from the trees and over the rooftops of the old riverfront town of Poughkeepsie,...
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NY | 1.6 mi | Concrete |
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While the Wallkill Valley Railroad no longer carries fruits and vegetables from Ulster County to New York City, trail users can still discover small, family-owned farms and farmers markets serving up...
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NY | 21.3 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt, Gravel |
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The William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail—named for the Dutchess County executive who championed it—is a treasure in New York's Hudson Valley region. The 13.1-mile trail runs through what seems...
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NY | 13.1 mi | Asphalt |
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Popular with residents of Saratoga County who commute under their own power or love to exercise outdoors, the nearly 12-mile Zim Smith Mid-County Trail is considered the backbone of a growing trail...
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NY | 11.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Cato-Fair Haven Trail (a.k.a. Cayuga County Trail) travels a little more than 14 miles through forest, wetland and tree farm.
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NY | 14.51 mi | Cinder, Dirt |
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The Catskill Scenic Trail lives up to its name as it winds through a broad farming valley and small towns in New York's Catskill Mountains. The West Branch of the Delaware River is often in sight,...
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NY | 26 mi | Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel |
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The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is an 8 mile greenway on the edge of Lake Cayuga in Ithaca, New York. As this trail traverses the southern shore of this lake, as well as the Cayuga Inlet, it connects a...
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NY | 8 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk |
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Known for its picturesque beauty and rich history, the Town of Fort Ann is part of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Area, a federally designated area stretching between the Hudson Valley and...
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NY | 1.68 mi | Asphalt |
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The Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail begins at the Feeder Dam in Glens Falls and follows the Hudson River through town to the Champlain Canal, then turns south toward Fort Edward. The 9-mile trail...
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NY | 9 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Saratoga segment of the 71-mile Champlain Canalway Trail includes three disconnected segments near the Hudson River, from Stillwater Township to the town of Saratoga. The longest section is under...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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Though mostly a continuous system of trails from Sherman north to Brocton, some segments of the Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails system go by other names (see below). All the trails are primarily grassy but...
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NY | 28.56 mi | Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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Crossing the state line into New York near Erie, Pennsylvania, the 7-mile trail runs through the beautiful Brokenstraw Valley, passing small streams, a tamarack swamp, deciduous woods and...
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NY, PA | 5.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The City of Port Jervis is the latest community to save a portion of the former D&H Canal and turn it into a greenway for use by residents and visitors. A section of the canal, which is approximately...
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NY | 1 mi | Cinder, Gravel |
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The Delaware & Hudson Canal Linear Park is 45 acres with a trail situated along the historic D&H Canal. Remains of the original locks, dry dock and waste weirs are visible from the towpath trail....
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NY | 4.7 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Bashakill Wildlife Management Area is located on the Orange County-Sullivan County border just south of Wurtsboro, New York. It consists of over 3,000 acres of wetlands and uplands which were...
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NY | 5.7 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass |
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The Delaware and Hudson Rail-Trail follows the flowing contours of the western Vermont countryside, rambling in and out of New York state, where you’ll find a 4-mile gap. This border area is known as...
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NY, VT | 25.8 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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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...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The EPCAL Alternative Transportation Path loops around the 2,900-acre Enterprise Park at Calverton (hence its name: EPCAL) on New York’s Long Island and links to the Town of Riverhead’s 65-acre...
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NY | 8.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The East Ithaca Recreation Way on East Hill is primarily built upon the rail bed of the old Ithaca and Cortland Railroad, which later became part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The trail skirts the...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Gravel |
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The El Camino: Butterhole-Seneca Park Trail (often more simply called the El Camino Trail) runs diagonally through a neighborhood and industrial properties in northeast Rochester on an abandoned CSX...
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NY | 2.3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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When Jones Beach State Park opened on Long Island’s South Shore in the late 1920s, a series of scenic parkways was built on infill dredged from nearby towns to connect New Yorkers to the new public...
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NY | 5.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Ellicott Trail is a crushed stone rail-trail in Batavia, Genesee County. The trail provides the best of both worlds, winding through the heart of downtown while also providing an immersive journey...
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NY | 4.7 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Erie Attica Trail lies in the Finger Lakes region of New York along the former railroad for which it's named. A glimpse of this past can be seen in the beautiful truss bridge that spans 220 feet...
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NY | 1.3 mi | Boardwalk, Crushed Stone |
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The Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Rail-Trail (FJ&G) has one main section and one shorter section. The main segment runs for nearly 8 miles between Union Avenue in Johnstown and the intersection of...
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NY | 10.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Genesee Valley Greenway rolls through towns and countless landscapes from Rochester south to Cuba, New York. The greenway is a work in progress, but there is a long, continuous segment (37 miles)...
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NY | 68.8 mi | Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk offers a 5-mile route through the southwestern New York community of Jamestown. The route includes a mixture of off-road trail, sidewalks (such as along Steele Street),...
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NY | 5.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Hoosic River Greenway spans 2.5 miles along the river’s east bank through the Village of Hoosick Falls. The gravel pathway follows the former route of the Boston Hoosac Tunnel & Western Railway,...
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NY | 2.5 mi | Gravel |
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The I-390 Bike Path is a 5-mile paved trail starting in Greece and ending at the Island Cottage Woods Preserves just south of Lake Ontario. The trail starts just after crossing Route 104 using the...
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NY | 5.3 mi | Asphalt |
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The John Kieran Nature Trail is a short loop that borders Van Cortlandt Lake and its associated wetlands. It is a wonderful site for bird-watching. The trail also passes several sites of significance...
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NY | 1 mi | Dirt, Gravel, Woodchips |
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The Jones Point Path occupies an abandoned motor vehicle route (old US Route 9W). The path provides bicyclists with a relatively safe bypass to a dangerous section of busy US Route 9W near Bear...
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NY | 2 mi | Asphalt |
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The Kaaterskill Rail Trail offers a beautiful, wooded route through Haines Falls in eastern New York, nestled in the northern Catskills. It begins at the historical Ulster & Delaware Train Station,...
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NY | 2 mi | Concrete, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Kingston Point Rail Trail will be a paved pathway stretching from Kingston’s midtown to the Rondout Creek waterfront, connecting important points in the community such as Kingston High School,...
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NY | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NY | 8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Lackawanna Rail Trail traces a short stretch of the old Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad from Lowman to Elmira in southern New York. Much of it follows the meandering Chemung River, meaning...
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NY | 8.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Travelers on the Lake Ontario State Parkway Trail will enjoy scenic views of wooded areas, surrounding bodies of water and wetlands. The trail parallels the north side of the Parkway, which runs along...
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NY | 3.3 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The North Branch of the Lehigh Valley Trail connects the campuses of the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. The trail’s northern terminus is where the Erie Canal Heritage...
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NY | 14.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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While many other rail trails in rural New York have gravel or grass surfaces, which make them difficult to traverse for cyclists and users with disabilities, the Lenox Rail Trail offers over two miles...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Asphalt |
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Running through woods and fields, the Lockport Rail Trail follows a former railbed of the Erie Railroad in the town of Lockport. The path is 8-feet-wide and is paved for about half-a-mile from...
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NY | 2 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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Maple City Trail offers a short, but scenic route through Ogdensburg in northern New York. It begins at the city's visitor center on the south bank of the St. Lawrence River, which separates the state...
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NY | 2 mi | Asphalt |
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The Mosholu-Pelham Greenway connects several parks and recreational opportunities in New York City's north and central Bronx neighborhoods. A portion of the trail is also part of the growing East...
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NY | 10.3 mi | Asphalt |
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The O&W Rail Trail provides a glimpse into the area’s history from the perspectives of both a historical canal and a railroad. The Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Canal carried coal from Honesdale,...
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NY | 25.9 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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At first glance, there’s no evidence that an aqueduct ever existed along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The trail is often a singletrack dirt pathway that winds through communities and trees and...
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NY | 26.5 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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Splayed over 1,146 acres in northwest Bronx, Van Cortlandt Park has a lot going on. The park is New York City's fourth largest and is home to the oldest municipal golf course in America. There are...
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NY | 1.25 mi | Asphalt |
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The first mile of the nearly 12-mile planned Oneida Rail Trail opened in September 2014 between Hubbard Place and Lenox Avenue on the west side of Oneida. The trail runs through woodlands on an old...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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The Ontario Pathways Rail Trail is the crown jewel of the trail system managed by the organization for whom it is named in Ontario County, New York. Comprising two disconnected segments, including a...
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NY | 25.2 mi | Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Oswego County Trail follows an abandoned right-of-way of the old New York Ontario & Western Railroad between Cleveland and Fulton. The trail passes among scenic countryside on a sometimes rough...
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NY | 28 mi | Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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The Philip A. Rayhill Memorial Recreational Trail is part of the New Hartford & Whitestown Rail Trail system (NH & W). The 5-mile asphalt trail links the two towns and roughly parallels Route 840...
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NY | 5.2 mi | Asphalt |
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The Pittsford Trail System, also called the Railroad Loop Trail, provides access to the Erie Canal, town of Pittsford, and shopping and business district in the quaint New York village. A short...
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NY | 5.1 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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The Railroad Bed Trail is a rustic recreational path sited on the right of way of an abandoned railroad that once extended between Rochester and Nunda. The route takes users through serene forest and...
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NY | 3.4 mi | Dirt |
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Randall's Island Park Trails offer a series of interconnected paved loops on an island in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The park offers a quiet setting, especially enjoyed by runners, with...
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NY | 8.75 mi | Asphalt |
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The Ridgeway Trail skirts the banks of Willseyville Creek along the abandoned rail bed of the Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad and the former Lehigh Valley Railroad. From south Willseyville the trail...
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NY | 4.3 mi | Ballast, Dirt, Gravel |
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The two diverse sections of the Shore Parkway Greenway Trail blend urban and scenic, offering views of sights ranging from the Statue of Liberty to wildlife refuges. Following the Belt/Shore Parkway,...
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NY | 13 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NY | 21.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail stretches from Acheson's Crossing at State Route 11 in Philadelphia, New York, west to Clayton. A second spur runs north from Theresa to Redwood. The trail occupies...
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NY | 30.2 mi | Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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At 2.6 miles, the Staten Island Greenbelt Multi-Purpose Trail offers a nice jaunt for joggers, walkers, and cyclists alike. The crushed-stone path is 6-feet wide and runs from Rockland Avenue to...
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NY | 2.6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NY | 1.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Inland and east of the Hudson River, the Uncle Sam Bike Trail (also called the Uncle Sam Trail or Uncle Sam Bikeway) largely serves as a trail for residents of Troy. If, however, you are traveling in...
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NY | 3.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Vestal Rail Trail runs for nearly four miles through the town of Vestal along an abandoned right-of-way once used by the Delaware–Lackawana & Western Railroad. Today, the 12-foot-wide trail is...
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NY | 3.8 mi | Asphalt |
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Visitors can expect a couple of easy climbs as they travel on the Warren County Bikeway through the southern Adirondacks for 10 miles between Glens Falls and Lake George. It’s well worth the effort,...
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NY | 10 mi | Asphalt |
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This out-and-back rail-trail's beautiful natural setting and informative signage invite visitors to appreciate the importance of wetland habitats. Located just east of downtown Saratoga Springs, the...
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NY | 2 mi | Ballast, Dirt |
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The Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway is a 12-mile linear park that runs from the town of Ossining north to Westchester County's Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. The trail is built on land...
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NY | 12 mi | Asphalt, Dirt, Grass |
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The Waterford segment of the Champlain Canalway Trail begins on the Mohawk River at the Old Champlain Canal Lock 4 and continues north following the old canal towpath past Lock 7 to Upper Newtown Road...
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NY | 6.7 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
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The Cohoes Heritage Trail is less than a mile long but serves as a significant local connector: it provides a way for people to travel between the riverfront to the Mohawk Hudson Bikeway. The northern...
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NY | 0.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The first section of the Corkscrew Rail Trail opened in June 2015. It begins at Knapp Road in Stephentown and heads south under a shady tree canopy towards New Lebanon, near the New York/Massachusetts...
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NY | 3.8 mi | Dirt |
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The D & H Canal towpath is nestled within the 300-acre D & H Canal Park in the New York hamlet of Cuddebackville. The crushed-stone trail, stretching just over a half mile, is one section of a larger...
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NY | 0.6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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New York City's East River Greenway offers views of the East River, Queens, Brooklyn, and the iconic bridges that connect these boroughs to Manhattan. The paved pathway traces the waterfront on one...
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NY | 9.4 mi | Asphalt |
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The Gorge Trail is makes for a scenic walk or mountain bike ride near the town of Cazenovia. The trail runs between the old railroad buildings on William Street and Bingley Road to the north. From...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Cinder, Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NY | 20 mi | Ballast |
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The Jack Harrington White Plains Greenway was recently renamed to honor a long-time member of the city's conservation board. The trail's corridor follows the former New York, Westchester & Boston...
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NY | 1.2 mi | Woodchips |
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The Liberty Rail Trail extends about 2.5 miles through the village of Liberty, NY, between Chestnut Street/SR 52 (near West Street) and the old rail trestle in Ferndale. The trail occupies a portion...
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NY | 2.6 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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This shared-use path was built as part of the improvement of NY State Route 347 in Suffolk County. SR 347 is a 15-mile arterial between Hauppauge and Port Jefferson, and the trail is envisioned to...
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NY | 3.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The West Shore Trail sits on the former West Shore Railroad corridor, whose tracks and ties were pulled up in the 1960s. Aside from about 1300 ft in Churchville which is paved, the trail surface is...
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NY | 9 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Bear Trap Creek Bikeway follows the creek of the same name between Ley Creek Drive and the Mattydale Shopping Plaza. For most of its length it parallels Interstate 81, with a fence separating the...
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NY | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Fort Washington Park Greenway brings residents and visitors to Washington Heights right up to the edge of the Hudson. The mile-long trail begins near the pier at the end of Dyckman Street and...
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NY | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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Ballston Spa's Jim Tedisco Fitness Trail spans 0.5 mile between Front Street and Prospect Street on what was once a railroad bed.
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NY | 0.5 mi | Asphalt |
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This is a section of the New York, Ontario and Western (O&W) Railway line that ran across New York State from Port Jervis to Lake Ontario. The trail consists of two discrete sections: State Route 209...
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NY | 3.2 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Grass, Gravel |
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The Ocean Parkway Trail closely follows its eponymous thoroughfare nearly 5 miles through several Brooklyn neighborhoods, ending only a block from the popular Coney Island boardwalk. Those traveling...
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NY | 4.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Fahnestock State Park is a relatively undiscovered gems in the New York State Park System. Located a few miles east of Cold Spring Village on Rt. 301 (Main Street), the park jurisdiction was recently...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Dirt |
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A former right-of-way of the NY & NJ Railroad.
Near historical Mount Ivy which was the center of a Quaker settlement in the 18th century.
Hiking along railroad bed and wildlife observation and...
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NY | 2 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Dirt, Grass, Woodchips |
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The Edwards Nature Trail extends 3 miles from Town Barn Drive to Talcville Road in the village of Edwards. The crushed gravel surface follows and old rail bed and is suitable for hiking, biking and...
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NY | 3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail will be a 27.6-mile trail that follows the former Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad corridor through the beautiful countryside of Western New York from Orchard Park in Erie...
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NY | 7.4 mi | Asphalt, Grass |
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The South Trail stretches over 2 miles between Ballina Rd. and New Woodstock in Cazenovia, New York. The trail sits on the former right-of-way of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The rail-trail takes users...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Dirt |
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The Village of Springville in Western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from the northern border to the southern border of...
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NY | 1.8 mi | Asphalt |
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Once completed, the Adirondack Rail-Trail will connect the Adirondacks Region with 34 miles of recreational rail-trail from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake and 56 miles in between Tupper Lake and Old Forge...
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NY | 10 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Although just a mile long, the Beach Channel Drive Greenway in Queens offers expansive views of Jamaica Bay and the beautiful Marine Parkway Bridge as it traces the border of Jacob Riis Park. On the...
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NY | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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Experience Central Park by exploring its variety of running, walking, biking, and accessible trails. New York's 843-acre backyard has a rich history, charming assets, beautiful scenery, sustainable...
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NY | 23 mi | Asphalt |
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The Eastern Parkway Trail is a 2-mile route along a tree-lined boulevard in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. The path begins at Prospect Park, which houses some of Brooklyn's most popular...
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NY | 2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue Greenway parallels its namesake roadway for just over a mile from Marine Parkway Bridge to a connection with the Shore Parkway Greenway Trail to the north and Beach Channel...
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NY | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
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The Harlem River Greenway runs north-south along the Harlem River on the East Side of Upper Manhattan. The northern terminus is Dyckman Street and Harlem River Drive. Going west on Dyckman allows...
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NY | 2.2 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Hudson River Brickyard Trail runs 1.5 miles from North Street to John Street in East Kingston. Located in Sojourner Truth State Park, the trail follows the shoreline and offers scenic views of...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Woodchips |
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The Hunter Branch Rail Trail (HBRT) is a recently completed segment of the Hunter Regional Trail (HRT), a network of rail-trails that run along a former railroad corridor in the Town of Hunter,...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Boardwalk, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The Hunter Regional Trail (HRT) is a network of rail-trails that run along a former railroad corridor in Hunter, NY. Currently, there are 6.1 miles of open trail in the hamlet of Haines Falls, the...
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NY | 6.1 mi | Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Klara Sauer Trail (formerly known as the Beacon Riverside Trail) runs for 1 mile along the Hudson River on the west side of New York's village of Beacon. The trail occupies the same corridor as...
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NY | 1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Laurelton Greenway is a short but well-maintained multiuse path connecting the neighborhoods of Jamaica and Rosedale in southern Queens, NY. The two-lane paved trail starts in Jamaica, and travels...
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NY | 0.6 mi | Asphalt |
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A public trail owned by Cortland County since the 1977 abandonment of a Lehigh Valley railroad line built by Ezra Cornell as the "Ithaca & Cortland" in 1872, this path crosses east to west from...
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NY | 2.5 mi | Cinder, Grass |
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Following the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad (U&D) corridor, the Midtown Linear Park is part of the Kingston Greenline. Running through Midtown between Westbrook Lane and Cornell Street, the ADA...
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NY | 0.9 mi | Asphalt |
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The Mohansic Trailway is a rail-trail providing an important link between the North County Trailway and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park. The trailway occupies a short-lived spur of the New...
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NY | 1 mi | Boardwalk, Dirt, Gravel |
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This unique in-city trail was built on portions of the former Ontario and Western Railway Line through the City of Oswego. The Ontario and Western Railway ran its last train in March of 1957. The...
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NY | 0.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Following the defunct and abandoned Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor, the Odessa-Hector Rail Trail stretches for 2.5 miles through the woods and fields between the Town of Montour and the Village of...
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NY | 2.5 mi | Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The Amherst segment of the Peanut Line Trail continues west from Transit Rd, where it connects with the paved section included in the Clarence Pathways trail system. Following the corridor of New York...
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NY | 5.2 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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The Peanut Line Trail runs along a former railroad right-of-way in the Town of Canandaigua. What originated as the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Railroad was acquired by the New York Central Railroad in...
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NY | 0.5 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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Sackets Harbor Battlefield History Trail is part of the Sackets Harbor Battlefield, that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Interpretive panels along the loop trail tell the...
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NY | 1.3 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Crushed Stone |
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The Saranac Lake Recreational Path is a .52 mile rail with trail in the village of Saranac Lake. The path begins at Brandy Brook Avenue on the south side of the rail corridor that is used by the...
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NY | 0.52 mi | Dirt |
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This 5.5-mile trail is the rail-trail section of two much longer trails, the Long Path and the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, that converge and share the same path for part of their respective routes. Built...
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NY | 5.5 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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Following the route of the former Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway, the Trolley Trail winds through the town of Victor. Active between 1903 and 1930, the Rochester & Eastern Rapid Railway was an...
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NY | 4 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Cinder, Concrete, Dirt, Grass |
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This paved trail is located on the west side of the North-South Arterial that runs through Utica New York. The trail provides a non-driving option for folks to travel through the city and a pedestrian...
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NY | 0.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Verona Beach State Park is located on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake. Shaded picnic areas and the campground are adjacent to the beach with an excellent view of the water. The lake, Black Creek,...
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NY | 1.5 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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The West River Shoreline Trail begins at the southwest corner of Buckhorn Island State Park at the Eagle Overlook and Kayak Launch. This parking lot, aptly named for Buckhorn Island's status as a New...
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NY | 8 mi | Asphalt |
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Meandering along the Hudson River, this trail is part of the 51-mile Westchester RiverWalk. Running north from Croton Point Park and through Croton Landing Park, the paved 2.3-mile path offers scenic...
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NY | 2.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Ranging from smooth dirt and pebble gravel to three inch crushed stone, this rugged rail trail is diverse. You will need to pick your lines carefully and contend with large puddles the width of the trail, if it has rained recently. I rode it on a Priority 600 with 2.2” wide tires. I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than 38mm wide.
After starting in New Paltz on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and then crossing the Walkway Over The Hudson, I continued on to the Dutchess Rail Trail. I only went a few miles before turning around and heading back to New Paltz for a 21 mile ride.
The portion I rode is for the most part heavily forested, so if you like colorful trees in the fall or shade in the summer you'll love this. The trail is easy to ride, in amazing condition, and on a weekday morning in mid October lightly used. I especially appreciated the use of wood fencing in many spots which was the perfect architectural touch for this trail. Another highlight was Morgan Lake with its lovely swans and colorful trees reflecting upon the water.
I wish I would have had the time to venture further into the beautiful rural areas, but time was of the essence. I guess I have a reason to return and do the full length next time!
After pedaling down the Hudson Valley Rail Trail from New Paltz, I made my way onto the walkway. It was 7:30 on a brisk mid October weekday morning, and the bridge was not crawling with hordes of tourists (like me). Instead it was obviously primarily locals out jogging, getting their steps in on their walks, rollerblading, and walking their dogs.
The views are as expected - absolutely sensational and breathtaking looking both up and downriver.
After continuing across I proceeded to explore the Dutchess Rail Trail for several miles before heading back.
As luck would have it, when I returned the walkway was a completely different world. It was totally enveloped in fog, and you could no longer see the Hudson let alone fifty yards in front of you. The bridge was essentially deserted. Worst of all, I didn't get to do my selfies with a Hudson River background!
The walkway, combined with the rail trails on either end, is a must destination ride for bicyclists. What an unforgettable experience!
In my quest to bicycle in all fifty states, I drove 2,800 miles in order to ride my bike on this rail trail. It's hard to elaborate upon the Rails-To-Trails description. It was exactly as advertised and an absolute joy to experience on a brisk fall morn in early October.
About all I can add is the trail is flat, plenty wide, in excellent condition, and is a fun ride in autumn as the leaves are changing color and fluttering down to transform the path's hue from black to golden brown. There's also plenty of railroad memorabilia here and there to enhance the ride.
I didn't drive nearly 3,000 miles to just ride a seven mile trail. Naturally I continued on across the Walkway Over The Hudson and then on to the Dutchess Rail Trail for a fuller experience of the Hudson Valley! It was all exactly as I had hoped it would be!
Walked the John C. Sheldon trailhead with my dog. Always mindful of checking for ticks, I proceeded to remove 10 of them from my dogs jacket and fur!!! Otherwise a very enjoyable walk.
Convenient street crossings with traffic signals. Not too busy, so it was a nice quiet ride across town. Nice and green, lots of benches along the route to stop and rest. Very clean.
The history of the Long Island Motor Parkway (as it was first recalled) is revealed with signage along the length of the Parkway, including the site of the Jacob Johnson Family Burial Ground who appears in the 1830 Census as a "free colored man." At least two of his sons served in a segregated unit in the Civil War. He was a farmer in the area until retirement when he lived very close to Alley Pond.
The length of the entire park roadway, designated as part of the Greenway, has been repaved.
Review other park features when you come. In another area of the larger Alley Pond Park is found the oldest and tallest tree in NYC, already growing at the time of George Washington, known as the Alley Pond Giant. Hiking trails throughout the Park are well maintained.
Many improvements have been made to this trail in the last couple of years. There are no longer any wet or muddy areas. It is now part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail as well.
Pleasent stroll through the bog. Punctuated with numerous mud holes presumably generated by motor vehicles
Lots of places on the trail where it is almost all grass with just a dirt rut the size of a tire. Very bumpy, lots of rocks and lots of walnuts when we rode in October. Wouldn't ride this with a street bike. Waterfalls were beautiful.
As others have mentioned, this is a rough trail. Although somewhat scenic, it requires a lot of vigilance to slog through the gravel and overgrown path. We have hybrid tires, so perhaps mountain bikes would offer a more comfortable ride. The high point of our trip was staying at the Stamford inn and eating at the Millpond Inn.
I rode the southern half of this trail from Millerton to Wasaic the first week in October on a 75° afternoon. Beautiful ride on a beautiful day.
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