Erie Canal Heritage National Recreation Trail. 64 miles. Aug 3, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 19, 2026. This is a section of the much longer Empire State Trail, a bike path that runs from Albany to Buffalo. The Erie Canal section runs through NY’s Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne counties, taking the walker/rider through Rochester and into farmland territory.

This was lovely walking by the water. Lots of happy recreating locals. Some nice wildlife encounters including a bald eagle (alas, no photo). Great little canal towns with drawbridges and shops. Did one 19-mile day, a 16-mile day, a 14-mile day, and some 7-10ers. Only unpleasant thing was direct sunlight when the days were warm and humid. No deer flies, though!

The Erie Canal connects the Hudson River with Lake Erie and was the major transport route for goods between the Atlantic Ocean and the American Interior during the early and mid-1800s. It’s responsible for fueling the growth of Utica, Syracuse, and Rochester, and it contributed to NYC’s status as a major port of global commerce.

I’ve been impressed with all the connecting rail trails/canal paths in this state. One can bike (or walk) the length and width of New York using the canal and rail trail networks, going through towns every five to fifteen miles for lodging and food. Easy walking, mostly country views with some bits of urban here and there.