Low Impact Bicycle Rides in the New York / Long Island / Hudson Valley Region

UPSTATE NEW YORK BIKEWAYS

1. Erie Canal Towpath

Pittsford to Fairport, NY
(A short sampler of the 100-mile Erie Canal Heritage Trail)

Here's one to check out the next time you're in the Rochester, New York area.

The Erie Canal, completed in 1825 as a waterway between Lake Erie and the Hudson River, is the most famous and successful of America's early towpath canals. Stretching more than 363 miles, the canal ascends and descends 675 feet, incorporating 83 locks to permit a virtually uninterrupted passage for barges and boats. 

In the Canal's heyday, vessels were pulled by mules plodding along a parallel towpath that today serves as a very pleasant, scenic bicycle and pedestrian path.

With limited time to explore, I rode only a short portion of the path, between Pittsford (just southeast of Rochester) and Fairport.  The village of Pittsford was a great starting point, as the surrounding community seems to really take pride in its section of the towpath.  Restaurants and shops line a single, narrow street adjacent to the path, and a bicycle shop offers very reasonable rentals for good quality bikes.

From Pittsford, I headed east toward Fairport, another neat little village, on a packed dirt and cinder surface.  The ride itself was very relaxing, although there wasn't much to do or see between the two villages.  The photo above pretty much says it all.  Highlights were trying to figure out some of the large mechanical gadgetry still in place along the waterway, creating imaginary histories of the various berry and fruit bushes along the path, and waving at the tour boats as they passed. 

However, the most memorable event for me was seeing a lock in action for the very first time.  This involved returning to Pittsford, passing the village and continuing west toward Lock #32 on a paved surface.  If you make this trip, be sure to hang around and watch a boat pass through one of these.  Even as a child of the Computer Age, I was extremely impressed.

Being from far outside of the Rochester area, I really cannot offer good directions to Pittsford, except to say that it is off of Rt.64, which is off the NYS Thruway.  There are many websites and maps that can help you find your way there.

NOTE:  Having ridden another section of this pathway, specifically the Mohawk Hudson Bikeway starting in Albany, I can say that it isn't all as nice as the section between Pittsford and Fairport.  Many refer to the section between Medina at the west and Clyde at the east as "The Best 100 Miles of the Erie Canal."  Perhaps you will find your own favorite section.

2. Warren County Bikeway

Lake George to Glens Falls

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a big fan of "rail trails."  To be honest, I'm not sure the Warren County Bikeway is a rail trail, but it does have a lot of rail trail characteristics.

The beginning of the bikeway in Lake George is absolutely awesome.  It starts at Battlefield Park, which is just south of the bustling Lake George downtown area, adjacent to Fort William Henry.  From here, you've got one of the most majestic views of Lake George and the surrounding mountains.  Enjoy it, because this is the best it gets from here to Glens Falls.

Don't let me bring you down on this one.  It's a beautiful, well-kept bikeway with enough distance (10.4 miles from Lake George to the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail) to get a decent workout.  The problem is, the bikeway, like most "rail-trail-type" bikeways, doesn't really lead to anyplace exciting.  It passes a small amusement park (The Magic Forest) and offers some pleasant mountain views and small lakeside scenes, but it eventually just dumps you out in an industrial area of Glens Falls, where there is nothing much to do or see.  (The people are friendly, though.)

I stopped by the entrance to the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Path to take the photo to the right, but didn't go any further than that.  Perhaps someone else can pick up where I left off.

The beginning of the path is a slight, gradual uphill for a mile or two.  Just keep in mind that this is going to be a breathtaking coast back to the lake on your return trip.  Although there are several other moderate uphill sections along the bikeway, most of it is fairly flat, though not as "flat and easy" as the tourism guides might lead you to believe.  There are a few breaks in the bikeway, where you'll be traveling on very low traffic roads for short distances to re-connect with the off-road portions.  These are clearly marked and consist of very wide shoulders.  The longest on-road stretch is in the area of the Glens Falls Country Club, which is surrounded by a very quiet residential area.

If you prefer bikeways that pass through small towns lined with ice cream and snack shops every few miles, this one is not for you.  But, if you're in the Lake George area and you want to stretch your legs a bit, be sure to bring your bicycle and hit the Warren County Bikeway.

Note: Fill up your water bottle before leaving Lake George, as you won't find many (if any) places to stop along the way to Glens Falls. 

3. Wallkill Valley Trail

New Paltz to Rosendale, Ulster County, NY

(LAST RIDE: September 2005)

If you're a fan of "rail trails" and you happen to find yourself within a short drive of New Paltz, New York, check out this 13 mile (round trip) gravel and dirt path that takes you by farm houses, stables, cow pastures, and some majestic mountain views.

Both times I've ridden this path, I have limited the ride to the 6.5 miles between New Paltz and the Rosendale Bridge, which provides a spectacular view that is classic upstate New York.  The pathway south of New Paltz, from what I hear, is not as well maintained, although I haven't seen it myself.  New Paltz is a great little college town full of outdoor restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and antique galleries, though, so it's a great place to start and end your ride.  Rosendale is famous for being the source of much of the  limestone used to produce cement for construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.

To reach the starting point in New Paltz, take the NYS Thruway to Exit 18 and head west on NY299.  At about two miles, right before a steel bridge, turn right onto Huguenot Street.  The Gilded Otter Brewing Company occupied this corner in September of 2005.  Take Huguenot to North Front Street (a 3-way intersection in the center of the New Paltz "Stone House" Historic District), make a right, and park.  The trail is a short distance to the east.  Ask someone which way is north and start pedaling.

Be informed that you may encounter riders on horseback along the path.  It is usually a good idea when approaching a horse to slow down and ask the rider if it is OK to pass.  This can help you avoid startling the horse, therefore ensuring your safety and the safety of others.

While you're in this area, you may want to take some time to visit the historic Mohonk Preserve or ride the carriage trails at Minnewaska State Park.  Check the websites for these locations for more information.