Erie Canal Forum

My wife and I are planning to ride the trail from Buffalo to Albany in 2022. We would probably make the trip in 7 or 8 days. We would appreciate a suggested itinerary with towns and lodging suggestions. We like quaint hotels and B&B's. Is there any one stop that would warrant a layover day to see the sights? Thanks for any suggestions. We rode the GAP/C&O this year and have made multiple trips across Missouri on the Katy.

I have a huge itinerary that I don't feel like editing and that will not fit here. If you want it in full email format, drop your email address here.

Thanks Bill, are you on the facebook rail to trail site? My wife posts often there. Just posted our trip on the GAP/C&O. Don't want to post my email address on this site.

.

I just posted in this one. This site blocks the posting of links, so I had to fake it out a little.
ht tps://
www. facebook. com
/groups/749385035808873/

TC, can you see my reply in a post above this one dated 10/26?

Bill, we could not see your itinerary. If you are willing, you could send it to email address:
ocean_view_dreamer@yahoo.com

We would really appreciate your insights. We have 7-9 days to ride the canal trail. We like to stay at quaint and local flavor type lodging. If you have ideas concerning restaurants and sightseeing along the way, we would appreciate that too!

We would rent bikes in Buffalo and figure out how to return them and us to Buffalo from Albany when we have finished the ride.

We are contemplating doing the Erie Canal this May or returning to our favorite Katy Trail or maybe even doing the GAP round trip.

Thanks Bill.

Bill - can you send your itinerary to me? TIA bjfred@wavecable.com

Check your inbox!

I bikepack, so I'm not up on quaint places to stay, but I would help with dining suggestions once you have an itinerary mapped out.

As far as sightseeing, you should definitely add Niagara Falls to your Buffalo start. There are a bunch of way to do it. You could search on this forum. I think Rochester has some interesting sights and Albany is a great city to explore. Maybe sharing some more about your personal interests will help with receiving appropriate responses.

Hello Bill - Could you send me your itinerary too? Thank you so much. jog.falls@yahoo.com

Hello Bill,
We are planning a trip to ride the Erie next summer, would love a copy of your itinerary for Buffalo to Albany!
michelehedrick@yahoo.com

Sent!

Hi Bill-we would also to see your itinerary. Our email is: jeffverajohnson@gnail.com

Could you also send your intinery to mtboxess@gmail.com

Thx

I would love to see your itinerary too< if you don’t mind emailing - markmoore1580@gmail.com

I posted an itinerary in a different thread that is primarily camping, but i may do the trip with my wife too and she would prefer not to camp

Thanks

sent!

Hi Bill,
Could you possibly send this itinerary to willggn@aol.com? It would be so appreciated.

Hi,
My husband and I are trying to figure out a plan for riding the Erie Canal this summer. It sounds like Bill has been sharing his itinerary with many people! If it would be possible, we would love to see it too! Or anyone else who has an itinerary that they thought worked well!
Debbie
carliche1961@gmail.com

Hello Bill.

If you would kindly send to another?

houses.tumulus_0j@icloud.com

Thank you.

Sent!!!!

Hi Bill, we are also very interested in your itinerary for the Erie Canal trail. Thank you so much for being so helpful. We did the GAP/C&O a few years ago and loved it. We also are interested in the Katy trail if anyone could recommend which to do first. Thanks! vivian.griego@gmail.com

Hi Bill, we are also very interested in your itinerary for the Erie Canal trail. Thank you! vicki.hesse@gmail.com

We'd also like your itinerary. We are also looking at a side trip to Niagara Falls as part of the first day and would appreciate any tips. Many thanks!! jay.vancleave@gmail.com

We’re planning to do The Erie Canada Bike Trail in september 2022 and would appreciatie it very much if we could receive some itinerary ideas as well.

Our idea is to rent bicycles in Albany and take them on the train to Buffalo. From there we think we need 7 or 8 days back to Albany.

Thanking you very much

dielange@ziggo.nl

Sent to everyone above. Have a great ride!

I would also love to see your itinerary, Bill. I am planning to do the ride with a couple of friends in mid-May. Can you send it to me also?
annamaria.mecca@gmail.com

Hi Bill,
Would love to see your itinerary. We are just starting to plan long distance bike trips.
Much appreciated! robinferoli@gmail.com

Hello All…
Seems lots of folks looking for itineraries for the Erie Canal Trail. My husband and I will be riding it this Fall from Albany to Buffalo and taking Amtrak back to Albany with our bikes. Planning 7 riding days….average will be about 51 miles/day or there abouts. Longest day 61, shortest 27 due to having to catch the Amtrak in Buffalo back to Albany on day 7. Train leave Buffalo Exchange station at 12:55pm so need to be in Buffalo in time to catch that.

If anyone may be interested in our itinerary as well….you can send me an email at pmness10@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to share. I have the lodging already reserved and can share that as well if you are not bike-packing

In recent years, we’ve done the Katy And GAP/C&O and have kept that info as well

Happy trails,
Pat

Hello! My husband and I are also interested in seeing your itinerary. Please send to
jrugg@hotmail.com
thanks!

Sent….thanks for asking

Hello Bill

Pls share the above itinerary planning to ride Erie section in the coming months. Thanks so much in advance

Snrx62@aol.com
Sandy

Can I get a copy as well?

mphillips@tidewaterpastoral.org

Hello Bill from Houston,
Can you please email your itinerary to my email address: ewawysocka@yahoo.com?
Thank you in advance.

Hello Bill from Houston,
Can you please email your itinerary to my email address: ewawysocka@yahoo.com?
Thank you in advance.

Hey Bill, one more request for your itinerary;
mariafettig@hotmail.com
Thanks!

OK, I think that I got everyone. If not, let me know!

I would appreciate getting itinerary. I'm planning to do the trip in mid-August. tglinehan@gmail.com

Hello Bill! Can you also send me your itinerary to skylabear916@gmail.com
It’s my turn to plan a bike packing adventure and I’m a bit overwhelmed. Thank you! ??

Hello all….
I have offered up our itinerary as well for a 7 day ride on the Erie Canal. We are doing it from East to West due to the hotels in Buffalo being very expensive. Much cheaper in Albany. I have listed daily mileage and places we have booked to stay along the way. Our trip is from Aug. 28-Sept 3.

Anyone interested in our itinerary, can email me at pmness10@gmail.com

We’ve sent it to a number of folks already

Thanks,
Pat

Just starting to plan a trip. My thought is to drive from NJ, park, ride west to east for 3-5 days. and then take Amtrac back. I don't feel compelled to start in Buffalo.

Where would be safe spots to park overnight for 3-5 nights? I don't think I have to park at the Amtrak stations, unless they are the best choices.

Consider parking at SUNY Brockport, there are unused parking lots in the summer where your car will go unnoticed. The ride east to Albany will fit your time frame. You'll have to ride from the Rochester Amtrak west back to Brockport. If you don't want to ride west at the end of your trip consider parking at the University of Rochester campus right on the trail.

Kevin, I've written this before (and executed such many times) if you very kindly ask a motel to leave your car in their lot, they will gladly say yes. Ask for a favor, explain what you're up to and be willing to do so under their wishes (i.e. Park on the side lot, etc.) There are a couple motels right south on E. Henrietta Road from the REI in Rochester. I've left my vehicle at one more than once (with permission).

A couple years ago I suggested to someone to look into the Monroe Community Hospital (across from REI). Word came back that it worked out very well -- so there's that option.

The ride from the train station is easy and trailed. A few days ago I posted elsewhere in this forum directions from the RR Station to the Canalway which would be right near REI.

So, other than Rochester -- ditto the thoughts for any Amtrak Station along the way. I do think Rochester is a good place to start/finish. Let me know if you need any more help.

Has anyone had COVID before doing the Buffalo to Albany section of the ride? I'm registered for the 8-day organized ride in July and I tested positive for COVID 2 days ago. In fact, I got sick 2 days after getting my 2nd booster shot! I feel like I'm getting over a nasty head cold. Not too sick but it did knock me down for the first 3 days. I feel a lot better but I'm only 5 days in. I'm an avid cyclist. I was riding 90 minutes on my exercise bike every day and walking for an hour during my lunch break. Everything I'm reading is telling me that returning back to exercise should be slow and gradual. My fear is that my training will be like having to start over and I won't be up for the distance. Anyone else been in this situation?

So you're an avid bicyclist. My thoughts? You've already been training and it won't take much to get you into "okay" shape after Covid -- especially if you had a mild case. It takes a while to regain full stamina, but with a month ahead you should be fine. But mostly... this is not a grueling ride. It is quite an easy excursion where you just have to put in the daily miles. There's lots of daylight so you don't have to beat yourself up and the changing scenery (and others with you) break up any boring moments. So... don't sweat it. Train the best you can and just enjoy the peddling and the scenery!

Clean, convenient, well situated. There is a super nice couple who run this place are definitely trying to class it up. My room was way nicer than I expected for a RRI.

My wife and I are planning on driving from Cleveland to Buffalo on a Thursday evening (maybe 7/14), spending the night close to the Exchange Street Amtrak station, and on Friday morning riding the Erie Canalway Trail to Medina. We will spend the night there, maybe at Hart House Hotel.

On Saturday we are planning on riding the trail to Rochester, catching the 5:24PM Empire Service back to Buffalo with our bikes onboard.

I have read differing things about the trail from the Exchange Street Station in Buffalo to around Lockport. If we leave our car close to the train station in Buffalo, will we be riding on the trail or on roads for a number of miles?

We probably could ride all the way from Buffalo to Rochester in one day, but my wife would prefer this trip to be more leisurely.

I'd appreciate anyone's comments on our plans.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!!!

Dear friends,

I am now set to travel fron Schenectady-Rochester on May 31. I have consulted GOOGLE Maps about where to pick upthe Genesee Valley Trail near the Amtrak Station. Does anyone have any advice about the best way to connect to the trail once I have left Amtrak? Many thanks! Joseph Pafundi

Hi Joseph. Not sure how you are using Google maps, but if you use Genesee Riverway Trail as first destination (from the Amtrak Station) and Pittsford, NY as a second destination and select Bike Mode -- you will find a good bike route -- assuming that the Canalway is your goal.

Whenever I've thought I was off route while riding, I use Google Maps (in Bike Mode) and select some further town as the destination. If you're off route, it will put you back onto the Canalway promptly (or show you options).

Good luck with your ride!

Bubba,

Great advice! Many thanks for your help! I am headed west to Brockport/Holley (my favorite section of the ride in the Rochester area). I was using my home PC since I don't have a sofisticated bike computer. Your help has made a big difference! Thanks again!

Joseph

Hello again Joseph! I made the same ride in 2019, taking Amtrak from Schenectady to Rochester and then riding back to Saratoga. Google Maps bicycle will take you right through downtown Rochester on city streets, which is not the best. From the Amtrak station you can ride a few blocks to the High Falls Terrace to check out the falls, then walk your bike across the Pont De Rennes Bridge to check out the Brown's Race Canal Heritage site on the other side of the falls and then continue on the Genesee Riverway Trail on that side of the river. There are several interesting information kiosks along the way. When I was there in 2019 the trail on that side of the Genessee was under construction but it looks complete on Google Earth now. The rest of the the ride through Rochester is shaded and very pleasant. I would recommend crossing back to the the north/east side at Ford Street and riding around the U. Rochester campus. The other side has a paved trail but it is not as interesting and has a lot of tree root humps. Take a note of the the four way intersection of the Genesee River and the Erie Canal waterway, which is a unique portion of the Erie canal with some mildly hair raising currents where the waterways meet. We have taken our boat through here on a canal trip from Oswego back to Rexford.

John,

your information has been quite helpful. Many thanks and I will strongly consider your suggestion about le Pont de Rennes.

Take care and safe travels! Joseph

i want to start my ride in lockport, by the locks. want to park my car for about 4 days. where would be a safe place to park. i was thinking if there is no parking for the trail, maybe walmart or something. thanks for any help.

I've *never* been turned down by a hotel/motel when asking very politely and explaining my plan to parking my car for a few day in their lot. Plenty of options along S. Transit Road -- Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, etc. And, I've done it both ways -- calling in advance and just walking in. Big thing is to use the phrase "I was wondering if you could HELP ME out" and possibly using the words " a favor". Good luck.

I have about 3 days to do various sections of the trail while car camping or hoteling. Any recommendations on which areas of the trail we should be sure to bike.

That's a tough question because we don't know what is of interest to you or where you will be based. However, here's a quick overview.

Buffalo to Lockport (or reverse) is great. You travel along the Niagara River, see downtown Buffalo and the very active Canalside Park in Bflo. From the river to Lockport is paved and certainly the Locks in Lockport (Flight of Five) are worth seeing

Lockport to Rochester is more rural with stretches of nice compacted gravel and you travel through smaller towns along the Canal. Sights like Medina Falls, Middleport, Spencerport and Brockport provide a really nice feel for the ECT's western section. Rochester offers many options off trail.

Rochester going east is again a combination of paved and compacted gravel. You'll pass several locks and smaller townships. However, I wouldn't suggest going further than Clyde as the road section into Port Byron/Weedsport is crappy.

Weedsport into Syracuse is quite interesting. Again a mix of nicely maintained trail surfaces. Going through Jordan, Memphis is quite nice with a delightful refurbished Aqueduct before Camillus. From there, heading into Syracuse is a newly developed section of trail that will take you through a lovely City park and onto several downtown street (separate bike lane).

East of SYR, the trail passes the Canal Boat Museum and Green Lakes SP. The gravel trail now follows the "historic" canalway. Interesting from the standpoint of it is where the original Canal traveled, but frankly overgrown and swampy with Canastota a slight point of interest.

Now -- Rome and eastward. Sections of the trail here are great. You now are following the Mohawk River. Towns & cities along this section are not "Canal" towns like in the western section. Trail surfaces are mixed until around Mohawk where it is paved through to Albany. Advise here is to stay away from the cites (Rome, Utica, etc) and pick any section between them. Fort Plain to Amsterdam is a nice part that travels through Schoharie Crossing SP. As you approach Schenectady the canalway is much more urban traveling through or around suburban areas. It's a fun section that culminates with arriving in Albany -- a fine place to spend some time.

This post should serve others fairly well -- hope others see it.

Is the trail open from little falls east to st johnsville?

Good morning! In order to change pace and avoid driving to Rochester area, I would like to take the train from Schenectady. I realize that I will need a reservation. However, will I have to pack my bike in a box or are there racks upon which one can hang one's bike? Any adive would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Joseph Pafundi

No need to box the bike if you can get an available reservation with "rack" on a given train. A rack may be within a passenger car or it may be a separate baggage car. Either way -- just racking the bike.

Many thanks for the help! I hope to go to Rochester the week of the 30th. Just need to reserve spot on the train!

Joseph Pafundi

No website, called the number...not in service

Thank you for the heads-up; I have removed this business from the listings. Google and TripAdvisor still have them listed as open, but the out-of-service phone number is enough to convince me, until/unless I hear otherwise.

Hello everyone.

I'm planning to cycle Buffalo to Albany this summer, was wondering if camping is allowed along the canal route? Could get too expensive to stay in a hotel every night. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It's gonna be a great summer, happy trails guys.

The Towns and Services link shows where campgrounds are. I don't think you can just camp wherever you want along the trail.

Camping is only allowed at locks or at official campgrounds, and it can be pretty far between locks. After Lockport, you can camp at Red Rocks Campground (primarily for RVs, but they have tent spots), and then at Macedon at lock 30. Reservations in advance are required for Green Lakes campground, then you can use locks 21, 20 and/or 15.

Be aware that not all of the locks have water or restrooms. When I did the route heading west last spring, we changed plans twice to avoid locks without services.

Doing it with all camping makes for some long days, but that might not be an issue for you.

Have fun and good luck!

I've seen signs of stealth camping, in my neck of the woods.

There are all kinds of options along the Canalway for camping. Any Lock should be available -- especially if you are solo. The nice part of the Canalway is that you are almost always close to services along the path -- so needing facilities was never an issue on my trips. The western section lends itself to optional "stealth" camping in that there are longer remote stretches away from "civilization", but with planning it is not necessary. The eastern section (past Rome) hits more towns and cities away from the canal - but there are plenty of options -- Locks being a standard, but you may have to make your way to them as you are not always right at the river/Canal system. Everyone has a different pace - so you'll have too figure out how many miles you will cover in a day and then start searching for options. If you need help - let me know.