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Print Friendly MapThis 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 connects with old-growth forests and unique coastal lands preserved by the town.
The trail takes its name from the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad's "Hojack Line" that served the area's apple orchards and other agriculturally based businesses. The tread varies from small sections of crushed stone to packed cinder ballast and mowed grass.
Starting at the trailhead at Vosburg Hollow Nature Preserve gives you instant access to a wooded hilltop hiking path, the Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail, which leads you about an eighth of a mile through a red pine forest to the longer Vosburg Hiking Trail and the Gosnell Big Woods Preserve beyond. The branch trail offers a bike rack so you can lock up your bike and continue on foot to the top of the hill.
Staying on the Hojack rail-trail, you can head less than 0.5 mile north and west of the trailhead to Lake Road. You cannot, however, reach the shore or get a good vista point until you travel west on Lake Road for 0.25 mile.
Heading east the rail-trail passes through sections of grasslands and deciduous wood. The route looks and feels remote but is never far from busy roads and homes. It is only when you come to the half-dozen road crossings that you realize you are not, in fact, traveling through the wilderness. The trail ends at Phillips Road.
To reach the trailhead at the Vosburg Hollow Nature Preserve from Route 104, turn north onto Bay Road and continue for 1.5 miles. Make a right on Lake Road. Then in 0.2 mile bear right onto Vosburg Road. Follow Vosburg Road for 0.5 mile. Park at the Vosburg Hollow Nature Preserve, which is on the right and behind the water treatment facility.
The Hojack Trail is under the management of the Freinds of Webster Trails, an arm of the Webster Parks and Rec. It is well managed and has been updated over the last several years with renewed energy. The low areas on the eastern half have, for the most part, been repaired and it can be traversed all year. Some soft spots are inevitable after heavy rain or in the spring when it thaws. Best used with mountain bikes or larger tired ebikes, which we use. It is a beautiful trail. If you travel to it’s terminus in the west at Lake Road, one can turn west on Lake Road and peddle a short mile past Bay Road to the new Sand Park, which came online in 2023. So, this trail does, technically, go to the lake, as you can ride out on the eastern most pier for beautiful views of Lake Ontario.
Wife and I took this gem and it is awesome. Beautiful scenery and not too travelled. My wife’s hybrid bike did fine. Very well kept, my only wish is that it went to the lake. Overall very satisfied. Drop in at North Pond Park that’s a nice ride as well.
I always park in the North Ponds Park Parking lot off of 104. There was snow the day before I went so some sections of the trail were very deep mud and puddles. There was only one other biker besides me. I probably only saw 7 people there. It seems long when you go from the northern terminus to the southern terminus of the trail. The trail is so flat and that's what I love about it. I took my mountain bike on it and it was a thrilling experience. DO NOT TAKE ROAD BIKES ON THIS TRAIL!! THEE'S LOTS OF BIG ROCKS! I loved it!!!
The western half from Lake Rd. to Hard Rd. is a beautiful trail! It is a generally grassy path that goes through woods, and follows a creek, so it's shady most of the time and easy riding. The eastern half from Hard Rd. to Phillips Rd. is not as nice - it's hot and harder to traverse the cinder rock. However, the Bird Sanctuary Trail (which connects to the Chiyoda Trail), located near the eastern parking area behind North Ponds Park, is a great ride through the woods!
The Hojack Trail now extends from Lake Road on the western end, to Phillips road on the eastern end.
The 'new' eastern section from Phillips road to a point about a quarter mile west of Holt Road is crushed stone laid down over the abandoned railroad ties.
This trail best enjoyed on a mountain bike, not suited for a road bike. Your call on a hybrid.
Lots of parking right next to the trail on Orchard Street near Holt Road.
First attempted this on a hybrid on the eastern end and it felt like dredging through inches of gravel. Came back a month later with my mountain bike and the trail was wonderful. A workout to be sure, but going west, the trail became a mixture of stone dust and dirt. Trail near the western end goes through a wooded nature preserve (i.e. the black forest). No big hills. Wish the trail was longer. Would've given it a five if it weren't for the gravelly eastern end.
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