350 Mile Gem in Upstate New yOrk
Are you looking for a place to ride for a week or so on well-maintained trails with flat terrain and appealing towns? Somewhere with interesting history, easy signage, plentiful accomodations, and convenient train access? Does that sound like too much to ask? Well, it really exists, and it’s within a few hundred miles of New York, Boston, Philly, Washington, Detroit, Toronto, and Montreal.
Back in the 1820’s, the New York governor convinced his fellow citizens to invest the unheard of sum of $7 million (about $240 million in 2026) in “Clinton’s Ditch”, a waterway connecting Lake Erie with the Hudson River. It revolutionized commerce between East Coast cities and the burgeoning territories west of the Applachian Mountains. Decades later, as faster and cheaper railroads took over the transport business, canal traffic diminished to little more than recreational craft. Starting in the 1970’s, local communities began refurbishing the old tow paths, where mules had pulled barges with ropes, into multi-use recreational trails. As of 2020, the complete corridor is navigable by bike.
The 350-mile route is almost entirely off-road, with a mix of paved and crushed stone surfaces. It passes through Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, as well as dozens of charming small towns. The grade is modest, with only 6000 feet of elevation gain over the entire distance. Camping, lodging, and provisions are plentiful. Plus, the route parallels the Amtrak Empire line, so you can start/finish in any of 9 stations or even tie Niagara Falls into the ride.
Official Site: Empire State Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Ride Type: One-Way
Surface: Mixed (Paved and Unpaved)
★★★★★
