Explore the best rated trails in Lancaster, NY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Niagara Scenic Parkway Trail and Great Gorge Railway Trail . With more than 30 trails covering 591 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Be warned: The trail, in spots, is entirely unmaintained aside from some lawn mowing. It's as if you are riding through a grass field. In other areas, the trail is entirely dirt and if it were wet / rained recently would be entirely unusible. If you are on a road bike or bike with more road focused tires, you may have difficulties.
We had gravel bikes or mountain bikes so the trails surface was not an issue and we did the entire trail from the south starting point up and back, with no issue and averaged around 10mph during our ride with minimal effort. We even extended about a 1/3 a mile beyond the end until we ran out of bikeable path.
The trail is a shared use trail and great for walkers/runners/horses.
We only saw a handful of people on a Saturday when we were out.
Ellicottville Brewing has a location along the trail in Happy Valley which is 6 miles from either end, right in the middle of the trail.
A great stop for some food or beverages if you want to break up your ride.
The trail is well marked it's a bit tough going on roads through parts of Lockport. Once back on the trail, is well maintained.
The ride is 100% paved. Parts of it appear to be part of an older road system that are no longer used and kept up. The other paved trails are well-maintained in the grass cut. I started in Lewiston. the incline is rather long. Not steep but just long and seem to never end lol. There are some beautiful views. When I got into the actual Falls, it was hard to tell where the trail was because everything is paved and thousands of people walking around .
Walking the Pat Mcgee Trail ... we have to clean up after our dogs ... why don't the people on horses have to clean up after their horses???
In early June, we rode the section of the Erie Canal from Camillus to Syracuse. We also took a side trip on the Onondaga Lake West and East Shore Trails. Round trip, we biked approximatel 30 miles.
We parked at the June Reed Webster Park. The bathrooms were open. With that said, we have been there before and they have been closed. I would not count on them 100%.
The trail was in excellent shape. The Erie Canal section was hard a packed with small gravel. We did encounter hills, which we did not expect on a canal trail. They were small and manageable. Most of the hilly sections were paved, making them easy to navigate. The Onondaga Lake trails are paved and in fantastic condition. We only came across two small sections with tree root bumps.
This section of the Erie Canal Trail goes through the New York State Fairgrounds. It was eerie and strange to be at the Fair when no one else was around. Made for a unique experience.
The Onondaga Lake Trails were a pleasure with views of the lake, woodlands, birds, and flowers. We saw several bluebirds, which is not something we encounter routinely.
The Onondaga Lake Trails are part of the Onondaga Lake Park which has multiple bathroom facilities and picnic tables. We ate our lunch with a view of the lake and pickleball courts. There were a people playing, which provided our lunch time entertainment.
The only potential downside is the trail near Camillus is next to a garbage dumb. It is landscaped nicely with wild flowers in abundance and we did find a turtle on the path. We noticed an odor on our way back when the temperature was hotter. On the positive side, it is a productive use of the land.
We give this trail a thumbs up and will ride it again.
Quiet, peaceful, not many others on trail...but it was hot today ! Like 90ishhh ¿Wide enough for 2 people to walk in opposite directions and still have plenty of room in between.
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.
The trail is fairly level with slight curves to offset a straight visual line of sight, which is pleasing to the rider. There are quirky bump out paths that possibly simulate a railroad siding or depot for picking up passengers. There is a plan to connect this trail to the Cheektowaga trail, which will give a boost to those seeking to ride or walk longer distances while connecting other communities for transportation purposes. Hopefully that will happen sooner than later.
Utilized the trail for first time on my snowmobile. I am very grateful for the cooperation between the rails to trails group and local snowmobile clubs who I was told funded and built the nice new bridge decking over the old rail bridges? If I am wrong, then I apologize. Just want to say to my fellow snowmobile riders to please be respectful about others who use the trails to hike and ski etc.
I ride this trail quite frequently, and it is well maintained; however, the trail could very well benefit from the addition of one or three benches.
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