Explore the best rated trails in Buffalo, 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 27 trails covering 540 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.
*PLEASE NOTE that the portion from Bridge Street to the Onondaga Creek, Syracuse NEEDS UPDATING on the Trail map, as connecting trail is now available and this isn't reflected in the map.* Today was our 3rd ride (each out and back) on this trail, completing the section from Port Byron to the Inner Harbor in Syracuse. Today's ride in nice weather was 21 miles round trip to the Camillus Museum from Syracuse. We enjoyed the museum and the newer section that is paved along the west side of Onondaga Lake from the Fair Grounds parking area to the south part of the lake. We did miss a turn heading up the hill to turn off the trail to the parking area so we could cross 690; not sure there was clear signage on that; there was going back down. We were able to go through the portion on the NYS Fairgrounds and noted that this is not open to biking during the colder months (I believe Oct-April 1); it wouldn't be hard to go around, but signage would be helpful on that, too. Signs for this portion of the Empire State Trail were quite good otherwise. Since we haven't had much rain in the past month, trail conditions were excellent on today's portion. Least favorite was the road portion (or "sidewalk ride") on Hiawatha Blvd as it was very busy. Parts of the portion we did today is hillier than most sections; it was not difficult for us "intermediate level" bikers, but parts wouldn't be the best for younger children or somebody who hadn't biked in a while.
Starting in Colonie in the parking lot on rt9 it was a great ride headed towards Schenectady. Smooth paved surface. A little on a local road but minimal car traffic and clearly marked. Plenty of bench’s and stopping areas along the way.
Trail is not very well kept. Several large piles of dumped household items, garbage and tires all along the trail. No markings or signs. Would not suggest this one.
Did a small section from Jordan to Solvay. Nice Ride about 14.5 miles on a cooler sunny day. Muddy in a couple spots. Hope to complete more sections soon ¿¿¿
My wife and I rode our bikes in the fall of 2019 from Piffard south towards Mount Morris and found the trail well maintained and easy riding, only exception was lots of acorns on the trail. No big deal. In July 2022 we rode several miles south of Belfast to Black Creek and really enjoyed this stretch. Scenic and very easy riding. Well maintained too. Prettiest trail in Western New York without a doubt. They now have funding to complete the southern terminus of this trail so 2023 will be busy on the extreme south end. Can't wait for it to be done!
Grew up in Tonawanda walking the train tracks when this was active rail line- website description states a northern terminus at State and Young Streets in Tonawanda- actually, cross Young Street and continue north on an old train trestle across Ellicott Creek and the trail will end at Fillmore Avenue- make a left under the Tonawanda Viaduct train trestle and follow this for less than a mile to the trail that follows the old Erie Canal and downtown Tonawanda and North Tonawanda (restaurants and bathrooms).
My partner and I did a circuit this past summer around Buffalo- went south on the Tonawanda Rails to Trail, making a stop at Anderson's on Sheridan Drive near the trail for some of their famous homemade ice cream (and a bathroom break!). Continued down the trail to its southern terminus in Buffalo at Shoshone Park. Overall, the path was well paved and smooth, fairly level- Not very scenic- passing by light industrial areas and through residential neighborhoods.
Made our way east on Hertel Avenue over to and south down Main Street (admittedly on the sidewalk- road is rough) to Amherst Street- at this point, you could enter the Amherst Station for the Metro Rail and ride the subway with your bike downtown and to Canalside- we chose instead to head westward through the Parkside neighborhood on Amherst
Street and along Delaware Park, turning on Nottingham Terrace where we caught the Jesse Kregal Pathway westward along Scajaquada Creek. Some surface street riding got us to dedicated bike lanes on Niagara Street going south, eventually connecting to the Shoreline Trail just north of the Peace Bridge. Weaved our way down to and through Canalside and worked our way through an industrial area along Ganson Street (should have been along Ohio Street but had to turn around as then Ohio Street lift bridge was closed for repairs- saving grace was the aroma of baking Wheaties at the General Mills factory!). Finally went under the NY 5 overpass to the entrance of Buffalo Harbor State Park. At this point we retraced our steps back north along the Shoreline Trail, all the way back to Tonawanda and the start of the trail.
Whew! 39 miles, mostly in the rain but it comes with the territory in Buffalo.
Yes, Buffalo is a Rust Belt city, but it is experiencing a resurgence of sorts- obviously you will need cross country skis in the winter but bring the bike in the spring, summer or fall to really experience the city, and make a detour to see the Falls.
Make sure to watch when you get about 1/2 way to buffalo for the trail has changed make sure to watch road markings.
The GVG is advertised as a Hybrid bike trail to ride comfortably. Don't believe it. This is a Mountain Bike trail. Lots of long stretches of bumpy dirt and grass legs.
We tried this trail after a day of rain. The portion that is not paved was impassable. Deep ruts of water and mud everywhere. Might be ok for a fat tired mountain bike but awful for cruisers. We quit and walked back. We will try again after a dry spell although the dirt portion is very bumpy.
This trail was in absolutely beautiful condition, very smooth and great scenery.
Awesome, well-maintained multi-use trail! Buggy in woody areas, as can be expected, fine in the sun. Walked the whole thing out and back (24.2 miles) in a day. Variety of views: classic rail-trail, middle of valleys / mountains, in the midst of marshes, along lakes and ponds, in various woods, and across a continental divide. Features 6 railroad-turned-pedestrian bridges, and 5 parking areas. There are a few gazebos in Little Valley, but beyond that, no benches / rest areas. No bathrooms along the trail. There is a lean-to about half a mile south of the most northern terminus. Trail shares over a mile with the Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail: these can be taken into Allegany State Park if desired. Note: interpretative signage runs north to south.
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