Start of the canal trail in Buffalo

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Trek 620 from San Diego on 10/24/2018 7:12:08 AM:

Ray, where does the canal trail actually start/end in Buffalo? I was at the anchor where the submarine ad ship were docked but saw no mention of the trail. It's starting/is cold on the trail as of this date with heavy frost along the trail in the mornings. Thanks

ctbiker from Norwich,CT on 10/24/2018 9:26:30 AM:

I see Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal#Route) mentions various starting points but I personally don't have an answer. I cycled the western half a couple years ago and finished the eastern half yesterday (10/23).

As you mentioned, it's getting nippy throughout the day now.

My two friends and I were often confused by a lack of signage and disliked the broken route which dumps one out onto heavy, fast-traffic roads. We found riding the canal trail next to I-90 disquieting.

I especially liked the General Nicolas Herkimer estate area.

Enjoy!

Ray

trek620 from san diego on 10/27/2018 8:55:56 AM:

As far as directions go I found it useful to use the road markings put down by the New York Parks Department which are used on their ride from Buffalo to Albany in July (I believe). They consist of painted circles with a direction tab on turns, etc. I just used them backwards and it helped. The route I took last week was from Albany to Buffalo. I think prevailing winds are from west to east. Fought a stiff one most of the way. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 12/25/2018 5:04:47 PM:

It starts at Canalside in downtown Buffalo. If you are in Canalside and are on the pedestrian bridge at the Commercial Slip you are at the beginning as you stand over the water. The lat/long is: 42.877337, -78.879350

From there the trail heads north (paved) along the city trails next to Lake Erie/Niagara River out to the Tonawandas where it then becomes gravel.

I will agree the signage could be improved down there for sure!

John

John Aulbach from York, PA on 3/18/2019 2:20:21 PM:

My son and I rode the entire trail 14 years ago. The signage was poor then but the trail was relatively new. We did manage to find the trailhead in Albany very easily but had to wing it a few times. One of the most memorable was somewhere between Medina and Buffalo where we resorted to dead reckoning to find the canal by following a farmers lane beside a cornfield until we came to the intersection of the canal and a road. It made for a great adventure, a wrong turn or two but a great ride.

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