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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 crushed stone. Cutting through wetlands and fields, the trail occasionally passes through thickly wooded areas.
There is a trailhead in Churchville, at approximately 84 Buffalo Street. It features a small parking lot, a kiosk with information about the rail and trail history, benches, restrooms and water fountains. This is at the west end of the paved portion of the trail, and the beginning of the crushed stone.
I ran on this trail yesterday - the paved section in Churchville is like everyone says it is, very nice and smooth and a great little walking area for villagers and visitors, it’s very short but still very nice and quaint; the rest of the trail heading west to Bergen, is quite rough - I parked at the parking area by the train car and ran down to Rt 19 and back for a 4 mile run - let me say I am glad I was wearing my Altra Olympus trail runners as they have a decently high stack height - that 3” highway crusher stone is way rugged and you won’t only feel it every time you take a step but you can lose your footing on occasion as well - I myself did enjoy the trail as I don’t mind something different, I’m usually on the Greenway in Scottsville Chili area and that is so nicely finished with stone dust it definitely spoils you; the paved area is great for family and kids but going on the gravely area heading towards Bergen is not recommend it unless you have muck boots on and an off-road type of stroller as mentioned in comments before mine that there are massive puddles that are the full width of the trail in spots and there’s no avoiding them…. Also I could see this section being too rugged for a hybrid or gravel bike as well - an actual mountain bike with wider rugged tires would be the best way to approach it…. When it comes to this West Shore Trail just approach it with the proper expectations and have the right gear - a nice pair of trail runner with a thick sole or tall stack height will help you lot here, and use the proper bike on it as well, you’ll easily risk flat tires and wheel/rim damage if not…. As a runner I enjoyed this quite a bit and will return again, I definitely appreciated the swampy views and the birds and the wild life that make this trail what it is, it also has this nice empty desolate feeling once you’re moving that makes you feel alone and rather removed from the business of every day life, I truly enjoyed it and will be back again soon - very glad to have experienced such a gem…. ¿¿
Started from Churchville, going west, on a mountain bike, in May 2024. Only did 1/2 mile. VERY rough, large rocks, ruts, terrible surface. You will shake the fillings out of your teeth. Not suitable for bikes , primarily used by atvs, not maintained. Dont waste any time here.
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.
The 1/2 mile in was paved, was beautiful. Next 1/2 mile poor. Next 8-10 miles was not bike worthy, to many large rocks or large gravel. Very rough to ride fast enough to escape in insects form Bergen swamp
8/24/22 -Great parking and wonderful refurbished caboose, with brand new restrooms. But trail is only paved for about a 100 yards. Trail immediately west of parking goes to 1-2 inch rocks and is impossible to ride a hybrid bike on the trail. Check back here soon, it appears churchville is improving the trail.
The trail starting in Churchville on Buffalo St is just NOT good at all for biking. I did 1/2 mile going west and a couple of bikers heading east stopped and said the rest of the trail is just like this. Very rocky and will beat you and the bike up and not worth the trip. So , in my view it's very unenjoyable and don't waste your time.
The short section in Churchville that is paved is extremely nice. Heading West of Churchville wasn’t possible for my gravel bike. The gravel is chunky. I came back the next day with my fat bike and low tire pressure, riding to Jerico road and back for a total of about 8 miles. Still a bit bumpy but enjoyable the second day.
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