Trail description: This 100-mile multi-use trail runs east-west along the Erie Canal towpath between Tonawanda and Newark. It is the longest completed section of the planned 363-mile trail between Buffalo and Albany. The trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail. Each year an eight-day bicycle tour along the Erie Canal is organized by Parks and Trails NY. State Bike Route 5 runs parallel to the canal. Access fee: None required but membership in Parks and Trails New York will help support the trail Towns along the trail: Lockport, Batavia, Fairport, Palmyra, NY Web site:NYS Canal System | Parks and Trails New York Related link:Low-Impact Rides in the NYC Area Trail map: Detailed map and guidebook is available from PTNY for $20 (2007) Trail surface: Stone dust and gravel Designated activities: Boating, bicycling, walking, and cross-country skiing on all sections; horseback riding and snowmobiling in certain sections. Facilities on the trail: Several towns along the canal have restaurants Points of interest: Lockport Canal Museum, Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride, houseboat rentals (see NYS Canals for directory) Lodging: Several towns along the canal offer accommodations Camping: Campsites for bikers, hikers and boaters are located in Macedon and at the Holley Canal Port. Bike shops: Rochester Weather forecast:Rochester Tourism info:Greater Rochester Visitors Association Getting to the trail: The trail can be accessed at many points along its length. Amtrak serves Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. Map of local region:Lockport | Batavia | Fairport | Palmyra
Trail name: Erie Canal Heritage Trail Times biking the trail: Few Date of last visit: Dec, 2005 Sections that I biked: Lockport to Palmyra My favourite sections of the trail: Lockport to Schoen Place in Pittsford and Fairpoert to Palmyra Best time to go: Spring Summer Fall for biking Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: The scenery is great. The trail surface is good to great in most areas. Best of all the trail is almost flat for almost 90 miles. What I disliked: The section of the trail between Schoen Place in Pittsford to Faiport Comments: The section between Pittsford and Fairport is a little bumpy. The large black things above the canal that look like they go up and down are called guard gats, they are closed in the event that the canal wall fails and floods the area below or when the canal is drained for the winter. Submitted by: Tom Neely from: Fairport New York Date submitted: Sept 9, 2005
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Trail name: Erie Canal Heritage Trail Times biking the trail: Once Date of last visit: August, 2003 Sections that I biked: Palmyra to Lockport My favourite sections of the trail: Rochester to Lockport Best time to go: Spring. Summer or Fall Trail marking: Very good Trail maintenance: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Trail surface, scenery, lift bridges and towns, and no traffic. What I disliked: Nothing Comments: A wonderful relaxing ride and plenty of places to eat and stay overnight. Submitted by: Jim Yeich from: New Milford, PA. Date submitted: Sept 8, 2004
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