Top 3 Day Trips Along the Erie Canalway Trail
Looking for a day trip along the Erie Canal?
Want to explore just a smaller section of the beautiful Erie Canalway Trail? We’ve got you covered.
For those of you who don’t know, the 200-year-old Erie Canal has been reimagined to become a recreational retreat for kayakers, small boats, hikers, cyclists, and campers. However, what makes this history route even better is that it connects to New York's 750-mile Empire State Trail — the longest recreational trail in the US that connects Buffalo to Albany, which goes south to Manhattan, and north up to the Canadian border!
Below are our top three day trips alongside this beautiful 354-mile long trail segment.
Trail Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
The Erie Canalway Trail is 87% off-road and makes up the east-west spine of the Empire State Trail. The trail is mostly level with an average grade of 1% since it primarily follows canal and rail corridors, thus is often perfect for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
However, since some sections are on-road with high-speed vehicle traffic, we recommend certain on-road sections for experienced bikers only.
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Top 3 Day Trips Along the Erie Canalway Trail
Day Trip 1: Buffalo-Shoreline Trail
Estimated mileage: 8+ miles
The majority of this trail is a paved off-road path dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians.
The trail starts at Buffalo Harbor State Park on the shore of Lake Erie. You can access the trail by car and enjoy free parking.
You can then start your trip from the State Park and embark on the route following the Shoreline Trail north via downtown Buffalo. The route takes you through the harbor area, the beautiful and newly renovated Buffalo Canalside, and several city parks.
The Shoreline Trail will then take you north from Wilson Centennial Park, and it runs under the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge provides a bicycle/pedestrian connection to Canada. Cycle further north for about 2 ½ miles alongside Niagara Street on a protected cycle track.
Plenty of parking lots are located adjacent to the Shoreline Trail, making it accessible in sections or in its entirety. Several trailside parks also provide convenient amenities such as picnic areas, drinking water, and restrooms.
A section of the Shoreline Trail runs adjacent to I-190. Despite so, fencing and a broad grassy median ensure the trail remains safe, and the beginning and end of the trail are marked.
Sightseeing and Lodging
You can make a convenient stop at The Super 8, located off I-90, for a quick meal or accommodation. Other attractions you will likely come across along, and off the trail include Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, located at 180 Thompson St, North Tonawanda, and the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Things to do on your day trip along the Shoreline Trail include family camping at the Branches of Niagara Compound and visiting the Aquarium of Niagara, among other sites.
At the end of your trip, return along the Shoreline Trail to Buffalo, where you can access your parked car or convenient means of transport back home.
Day Trip 2: Through Syracuse
Estimated Mileage: 15+ miles
This day trip involves a journey from Camille to Syracuse (Section 15) and from Syracuse to DeWitt (Section 16). The first section of the trip from Camille to Syracuse will cover roughly 9 miles, which is majorly an off-road trail.
Start the trip at Reed Webster Park in Camillus and cycle for about 3 ½ miles on the off-road Erie Canalway Trail. Follow the bike-pedestrian crossing I-690, after which you will intersect with the Loop the Lake Trail on Lake Onondaga's shoreline.
Head over for about a quarter of a mile along Hiawatha Blvd West. Cycle the Creekwalk Trail for about a mile and a half into downtown Syracuse and complete this trail section at the West Genesee St and Wallace St. intersection.
Sightseeing and Lodging
Enjoy a convenient stop at B&B at Turtle Street. Alternatively, you can skip it and take a slight detour to visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park for an up-close interaction with an assortment of wild animals.
Take a break before starting the next 6-mile section of the Empire State Trail from Syracuse to Dewitt. Unlike the starting section, this trail section is a mix of trail conditions such as protected bike paths as well as bicycle lanes and sidewalks adjacent to public roads. Remember to exercise caution while embarking on this trail section.
Start your trip from the West Genesee St and Wallace St. intersection and cycle on a marked 1 ½ mile bicycle route adjacent to Water Street. Join the new trail segment starting at North Beech St., heading east for about three miles in the grass median on Erie Boulevard. Finish the 1 ½ mile trail path along Towpath Road, ending at a trailhead parking spot on Butternut Drive in DeWitt. Start your trip back to Syracuse for a convenient stop at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Proceed to the trail's starting point at Camille, where you can access your car or other convenient means of transport back home.
Day Trip 3: Cohoes
Estimated Time: 21 miles
This trail trip allows visitors and locals to enjoy impeccable views of Cohoes Falls. It runs from Schenectady to Green Island through Niskayuna. The first part of the trail (Schenectady to Green Island) covers about 11 miles, with about one mile of it being designated on city streets in downtown Schenectady. It also has sidewalks for convenient and safe passage.
Start your day in one of the multiple hotel stops, such as the Homewood Suites by Hilton, which also has a convenience store. Expect to share roads with vehicles on Hamilton Ave, Union St, and North Jay St. You can proceed with the bike trail from North Jay Street, which runs up to the Lions Park in Niskayuna. Enjoy convenient amenities near Lions Park, such as public restrooms and picnic areas with impeccable views of the Mohawk River.
After a brief stop at the Lions Park, start the second part of the trail, passing through beautiful woodlands and wetlands. Cycle the off-road trail, which ends at a parking space in Cohoes at the Western end of Alexander St.
Head on further on the Empire State Trail for about a mile adjacent to the public road, up until the intersection between Cannon Street and Veteran's Memorial Drive in Green Island. You can choose to turn north toward Peebles Island State Park and Waterford or south towards Albany.
Sightseeing and Lodging
Fortunately, this second 10-mile section has pull-off parking spots for convenient access and exit. Resume your trip back to Schenectady through Niskayuna, where you can again stop in either of the several convenient stores and hotels along the way, such as River Casino & Resort.
Conclusion
These day trips have varying difficulty in length and off- versus on-road experiences, so pick the one that’s best for you — and most convenient to your location.
Start your biking day trip with us to enjoy the great Erie Canalway Trail and other amazing local trails, and visit our shop to get ready for your visit!