Painted Post Trail

New York

4 Reviews

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 Corning. The wide right-of-way (nearly 100 feet) accommodates the trail's interesting design: instead of following the straight line of the railroad track, the trail gently weaves through a grassy park setting.

The trail begins just past the community swimming pool in Craig Park, named for former village Mayor Charles Craig. The park has basketball and tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, a skateboard park and numerous picnic tables and grills. The rail-trail passes some homes before shooting through an underpass of the combination Victory Highway and New York Route 415.

A restored railroad depot sits along the trail near Steuben Street. It serves as a railroad museum staffed by volunteers. After crossing Steuben Street the trail skirts the High Street Cemetery. A bridge takes you over a small creek, then the trail goes under Interstate 86 and ends at the intersection of Western Lane and Cutler Avenue.

The Painted Post Trail is a vital part of the community. Many events are held along the trail throughout the year, including the well-known Wine Glass Marathon, which has been taking place for several decades.

Parking and Trail Access

To reach the trailhead in Craig Park from I-86, take Route 15 to Exit 43 on the west side of Corning. Exit east onto High Street (toward Corning and Painted Post). Pass West High School and turn right immediately onto a drive that leads into Craig Park. Follow the road past the swimming pool, through the parking area and to the trailhead.

Quaint, quiet, quick

August 2024 nordmanbp

Overall the trail is well maintained, but lightly used save for the Wineglass Marathon which is always the first weekend in October.
Traveling from Craig Park heading east, the trail is paved with a very slight incline, goes through a tunnel and quickly passes the Painted Post-Erwin Museum at the Depot (an old train station). Then cross Hamilton street and you pass a cemetery and a well-shaded kids playground. Nothing much more to see but you will cross 2 more streets before coming to the end of the paved area which is a bridge over a drainage channel before another tunnel. This is the official end of the trail, but if you can handle some roots and gravel, you can exit the tunnel, take a left, and continue another 1/2 mile and exit through Jerry's Tree Service onto Wardell Street and work your way into Corning. Alternatively, if you can handle the gravel, you can continue next to the rarely-used train tracks all the way to Spruce Street. Then you can turn onto Baker street past the Corning Museum of Glass all the way into downtown Corning.

Very simple trail, not very long. Be aware that the trail is also used for marathons and other races so if you're coming from away check on that first. Only downside is the parking area could use more shade for the summer time.

July 2021 deeperconnectionsny

Very simple trail, not very long. Be aware that the trail is also used for marathons and other races so if you're coming from away check on that first. Only downside is the parking area could use more shade for the summer time.

riverside and beyond

May 2014 rolingalong

Beautifully kept. Flat very easy to walk Access it from many areas along the trail.