Erie Canal Trail

 

Our cycling begins with a gorgeous ride around the highlights of Niagara Falls, then we’ll follow the beautiful Niagara River to Tonawanda, the Gateway to the Erie Canal. In Tonawanda, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch, and after cycling a few miles to work off lunch, enjoy Ice Cream at Uncle G’s before reaching Lockport and our stop for the evening.

 

We depart from our hotel this morning and in approx. 2 miles we reach the famous Flight of Five Locks, the engineering marvel of its day. Take time to explore the Locks, and the wonderful statuary that pays tribute to its builders. Leaving Lockport behind, we enjoy easy, scenic cycling getting our first views of the lovely Lift Bridges that span the west half of the Erie Canal. We’ll then cycle through the charming communities of Medina, Albion and Holley. In Holley, take time to divert to lovely Holley Falls Park, before continuing on to Brockport, our stop for the day.

Today’s ride of 40 miles with a gentle downhill slope makes for an easy, relaxing day and the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch at either of the charming waterfront villages of Pittsford or Fairport, both offering plenty of food options. In Fairport you have the opportunity to  jump in a kayak to spend some time paddling on the canal. From Fairport we continue making our way to Macedon where a fun night awaits as we host you for pizza and movie night showing “Erie, The Canal That Made America”.

 

Today we’ll cycle through the beautiful countryside of upstate NY making our way to Seneca Falls with many points of interest including the Women’s Rights National Park, the Knitting Mill civil war historic site, beautiful Cayuga Lake State Park, and several other museums, shops and great restaurants. In the evening enjoy dinner then stroll the Ludovico Sculpture Trail and lovely waterfront of the Seneca-Cayuga Canal.

 

Leaving Seneca Falls enjoy the beautiful scenery as we cycle through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge making our way back to the Erie Canalway Trail. Along the trail are several canal parks including Jordan Aqueduct Park and Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct which has been historically reconstructed to its original glory. In Syracuse you’ll want to visit the remarkable Erie Canal Museum, and photo-worthy Clinton Square.

 

Today is a rest day, but does offer an optional bike ride on the “Around the Lake Loop”, a beautiful 24 mile out-and-back ride around Onondaga Lake. You’ll then have the day to spend as you like. Highly recommended is a visit to the Erie Canal Museum, as is a visit to the Skä•noñh (pronounced ska’-now) Peace Center which is a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Cultural Center focused on telling the story of the native peoples of central New York. Also worthy of a visit is Everson Museum of Art, and the Museum of Science and Technology. But be sure to save time to walk the blocks around lovely Clinton Square taking in the amazing history and architecture of this vibrant city.

 

There’s plenty to see between Syracuse and Rome as you cruise effortlessly along the bike path reaching Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in 17 miles, and definitely worth exploring. From the Landing we continue on cycling past and over many aqueducts and awesome Lock 21, before stopping for a trailside picnic lunch. In Rome we’ll visit remarkable Fort Stanwix before cruising the last few miles to our hotel.

It’s easy, beautiful cycling en route to Utica where you can divert from the bike trail to visit the Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Gallery (free), or stroll the shady paths of the Utica Zoo with their adorable Red Pandas, before continuing on  to Little Falls, with its quaint main streets, great pubs and eateries, and many artisan and antique shops!

Don’t be intimidated by today’s 60 miles, the downhill is in your favor! Enjoy the easy glide as we cycle to Schenectady offering beautiful natural scenery as well as Revolutionary War History. Very short distances from the bike trail are Oriskany Battlefield, Herkimer Home, Fort Klock and Schoharie Crossing Historic Site.

It’s our last day on the ECT as we cycle through the Capital Region stopping for a quick visit to beautiful Cohoes Falls before dropping the kickstand in Albany, the end of this incredible adventure!