The 9,000 square mile Finger Lakes region of New York is home to undulating hills, pristine lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, and quaint towns. There are many ways to experience this wide, beautiful country, from kayaking and boating to biking and snowshoeing, but sometimes nothing beats a good, old trek.
Trail of Auburn-Fleming NY Auburn
This trail was created from an abandoned railroad bed and is used for both bicycling and hiking throughout the summer. Old railroad ties have been put over the trail and are now partially exposed at the trailhead. This results in an initially uneven beginning. After 25 miles, the track changes to a mainly level dirt and cinder path. This 1.6-mile trail connects Rt. 34 in the Town of Fleming to Dunning Avenue in the City of Auburn through beautiful woodlands, marshes, and farmland. Two minor bridges, one made of railroad ties and the other of steel, are traversed by the trail. Both of these bridges cross shallow creeks without guardrails.
Honeoye, New York’s Harriet Hollister Spencer Memorial Recreation Area
You may take in breathtaking views of Honeoye and the Rochester cityscape from high in the hills between Canadice and Honeoye Lakes. Due to the greater elevation and maintained and groomed routes throughout the whole winter, it is a fantastic winter location with more snow than other regions. You’ll want to trek this trail regularly because it has 16 miles to explore. Put the family in the car, spend a few days in nearby Canandaigua, and see one of the many gems of the Finger Lakes.
Route 90 Of The NYS Scenic By Way Between The Lakes, Union Springs, NY
Route 90, a designated NYS Scenic Byway, features small villages and a rural setting that make this scenic route perfect for a medium-difficulty bike tour with paved roads and mainly level riding. Some strong inclines are provided by a few rolling hills. The ride’s high point is the picturesque Cayuga Lake. The history of the region, from the towns of the Cayuga Nation through the Sullivan Expedition in 1779, is told by historical markers placed along the road.
The Finger Lakes’ Top Biking Routes
1.) Seneca Lake Biking Trails
Start at Geneva’s Lakeshore Park, which is located at the northernmost point of Seneca Lake, then go 78 miles through generally flat terrain. You will pass through the towns of Hector, Lodi, Watkins Glen, and Ovid on the loop that encircles the entire lake.
On the western side of the lake, close to Him rod, you can also make the Seneca Lake Mountain Bike Loop. On this trail, which is little about 20 miles long, there is a stunning waterfall.
You could also travel the Catherine Valley Trail, which runs from Pine Valley to Seneca Lake along a canal and railroad. A little portion of the roughly 13-mile trail is on pavement, but the majority of it is in the woods. You’ll pass the thundering Montour Falls and other interesting sites while cycling along the route. There are also some wonderful paths to explore in Watkins Glen State Park.
2.) The bike trails at Keuka Lake
Enjoy the stunning lake views and wonderful wineries along the 44-mile Keuka Lake cycling trail. The Crooked Lake Canal, which connected Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake before 1870, is now a hiking and bike trail.
Take the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail from Penn Yan to Dresden, passing beautiful waterfalls and historic mills along the way.
Trail Information
In the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, the Finger Lakes National Forest spans 16,212 acres. Over 30 miles of interconnected trails wind through the forest, passing through gorges, ravines, meadows, and wooded areas.
Look at the map carefully to see whether areas of FLNF are bike-friendly. Summer trail riding in this forest is normally not fantastic (mainly doubletrack shared with equestrians), but the abundance of dirt roads and stunning scenery make for good gravel grinder rides. The multi-use paths are commonly utilized by snowmobiles in the winter and are still accessible to bicycles, making for some enjoyable winter riding.
Trails And Routes For Bicycling In The Finger Lakes
Trail to Canadice Lake – Canadice Lake, which is in the western Finger Lakes, is a well-kept secret, but cyclists are aware of the gem that lies there. If you choose the side paths that offer more challenging terrain, you can extend this 8-mile down-and-back trail by another mile. It runs along the west side of the lake. The gravel and grassy trail is used by both runners and hikers.
Trail in Catharine Valley
In a region famed for its hills, the 12-mile journey from – south to Midway may come as a bit of a surprise. The vista along the old rail route will appeal to riders. Travel 15 miles total to Horseheads by continuing on the trail. Pick up the route at Seneca Lake’s southernmost point in downtown Watkins Glen, close to the Harbor Hotel and marina.
Enid Lake
There are so many amazing rides close to Seneca Lake that it is difficult to choose just one. Use Sampson State Park, which has a loop of just over 7 miles, or Lakeshore Park, which has a 9-mile paved loop at the northern end, to ride the eastern shore. Take your pick of vineyards, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants along the road to break up a lengthier trip over two or more days.
Canal at Crooked Lake This 7-mile section, also known as Keuka Outlet Trail, connects Keuka and Seneca lakes and follows the course of a historic canal. You’ll probably have to share the path with hikers because the trail is multi-use. This little journey contains a lot of interesting scenery, including waterfalls and abandoned mills.
Tour of Geneva’s Skyline Geneva’s location at the northernmost point of Seneca Lake makes it a stunning destination to visit and ensures stunning views in all directions. For this bike journey, you’ll have to put in extra effort to keep your eyes on the road in front of you. A 35-mile loop has been planned, largely consisting of city streets but also including some off-the-beaten-path routes. This is a fantastic method to observe the effect of the local wineries, farms, and small cities.
The Region Of The Finger Lakes Has The Best Rail Trails
The rail trails in the Finger Lakes region are ideal for exploration now that spring has arrived. These mainly flat and wide roads, which were once abandoned rail lines, provide hikers, runners, and bikers plenty of options to get outside and stay away from muddier terrain. Multiuse rail trails frequently connect to other protected places, such as state parks, as they travel through both urban and rural settings. Discover some of the top in the area!
Diamond Black Trail
The 8.4-mile Black Diamond Route may have the appearance of a dangerous downhill ski run, but it is actually a wide, relatively flat, multiuse trail. The route, which is simply a gorgeous tree-lined lane, is a pleasure to ride on or to stroll along due to its stone dust surface. From Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg to Cass Park in Ithaca, the grade is mostly downward.
Trail in Catharine Valley
The 14-mile Catharine Valley Trail follows portions of the disused Northern Central Rail lines as well as the former Chemung Barge Canal tow channel. It’s a lovely natural corridor that runs along to downtown Watkins Glen and Mark Twain State Park and uses compact stone dust trails that are a real pleasure to bike or walk on.
Seneca-Cayuga Canal Trail
The Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail travels down a canal that connects the two main Finger Lakes and passes through charming towns along the route as it follows an old railroad bed. 6.7 of the final 19 kilometers are complete and accessible at this time. The trail’s western and eastern ends are currently accessible from Waterloo, Seneca Lake State Park, and the Bishop Nature Preserve, both of which are owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust.
State Park in Genesee Valley Greenway
The Genesee Valley Greenway, which connects Rochester and Cuba (NY), is an excellent example of how towpaths and train beds were converted into a new, lively multiuse trail. Even while the 90-mile track makes it doubtful that you’ll complete the journey in a single day (although committed bikers can), the long-distance traveler will be relieved to learn that lodging is available along the way.
Trek Jim Schug
From Dryden’s Main Street, the Jim Schug Trail meanders through Dryden Lake Park before coming to an interchange with the Finger Lakes Trail. The trail is surrounded on all sides by swamps, wetlands, and ponds, with Dryden Lake Park to the north and south of the more isolated and wild sections. There are proposals to add additional 3.3 miles to the trail’s current length of 4.2 miles.
Trail of Keuka Outlets
Along the 6.8-mile Keuka Outlet Trail, a flowing stream follows walkers, runners, cyclists, and even horseback riders. From Penn Yan’s Keuka Lake outflow to Dresden’s Seneca Lake entrance, the trail travels primarily in a downward direction. There are paved areas in Penn Yann, wide stone-dust roads, mixed gravel, and worn single-track on the trail.
Ontario Routes
Ontario Pathways is a flat, 25-mile multi-use path network open year-round for hiking, biking, running, equestrian riding, and cross-country skiing that connects numerous towns and villages in eastern Ontario County. The Canandaigua part of the path, which runs from Canandaigua to Stanley, and the Phelps leg, which starts in Stanley and runs through Flint, Seneca Castle, Orleans, and concludes in Phelps, are each roughly 11.5 miles long.
Pedestrian Safety For Parents and Kids
The following are significant bike safety recommendations, whether you plan to ride on the highways or the trails. Parents should also follow these safe biking recommendations. Keep in mind that your children will imitate your behavior and behaviors.
Verify that all of the bicycle’s components are in good operating order (brakes, gears, tires, etc.). Florida law mandates that all cyclists and passengers under the age of 16 wear helmets. Always put on a helmet that fits correctly, and fasten the strap firmly. Put on the right shoes (such as sneakers). Avoid riding barefoot or in flip-flops. Being seen When riding, wear neon, fluorescent, or vibrant colors, as well as luminous clothing (reflective shoes, reflective tape, etc.). Be mindful. Wearing headphones will prevent you from hearing the nearby vehicles and pedestrians. Do not text and drive. Keep as far to the right as you can while riding in the same direction as the flow of traffic. When possible, use the bike lanes.
When riding on the road, abide by all traffic regulations, including signs, signals, and lane markings. It is safest to walk your bicycle in the crosswalk when crossing a road. Before entering, look Left, Right Left, and then keep looking all around. Never fasten your bike or yourself to a moving vehicle on the road. The front of the bike must have a headlight lamp that emits a white light visible for 500 feet when riding between the hours of sunset and morning, and the back of the bike must have a tail light lamp and reflector visible for 600 feet, according to Florida law. Never pull out onto the road from between parked cars, and cross only at intersections. Give pedestrians the right-of-way when riding on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, and use an audible signal (such as “passing on your left”) before passing them.
Finger Lakes Bike Tours
You’ll discover that the Finger Lakes are a fantastic location for riding from Otisco Lake to Canandaigua Lake—and everywhere in between! – Obviously, this assumes that you are comfortable sharing the road and are in reasonably decent physical condition. Explore lovely forested paths, seaside rides, or the roads that snake through this very scenic area while cycling through the Finger Lakes.
A Few Of Our Favorite Finger Lakes Bike Routes Are Listed Below
Cycling is ideal around Otisco Lake. A pleasant ride along Otisco Valley Road passes through Amber, Bay Shore, and Williams Grove as it follows the lake’s eastern shore. You can access the Causeway from Lake Otisco’s western shore by cutting over Sawmill Road to the west. From Spafford Valley, you can turn right onto West Valley Road and travel back up to the lake. The eastern side of the lake is a leisurely pace, and the western side is a higher level of challenge. Otisco has bike lanes for riders of all skill levels.
A well-liked Finger Lakes road cycling route with easy to moderate terrain is the circuit around Owasco Lake. Emerson Park is typically the greatest place to begin and end. An approximately 32-mile riding route is provided below: To get to Moravia, take Route 38 south along the west shore of the lake, then turn right onto N. Main Street. After entering Fillmore Glen State Park on the left, turn right onto Route 38 North, continue north on Main Street / Rockefeller Road, and then follow the signs for Route 38A North, which will follow the east side of the lake all the way back to Emerson Park. After leaving the park, turn left onto Route 38A North. Even though it’s a longer ride than most novices would attempt, the terrain is not particularly challenging and it’s a pleasant challenge!
The Finger Lakes Trail Is Bike Able
As you travel over the Finger Lakes’ meandering bike routes, you can take in all the natural splendor. When the leaves change colors in the fall, the view is exceptionally stunning. Check out our free Vacation Guide before you ride around the lakes.
The Catharine Valley trail’s length is unknown.
Cross-country skiing, biking, walking, and snowshoeing can all be done on the smooth stone-dust route surface. Six miles of the trail are currently usable. The route will connect the Village of Watkins Glen with Horseheads and be twelve miles long after work is finished.
Questions and Answers:
Around Cayuga Lake, can you bike?
Cycling enthusiasts frequently travel the 101-mile loop around Cayuga Lake, with Ithaca serving as both the starting and finishing point. The majority of the course of this ride follows the lake, providing fantastic water vistas the entire time.
How far does cycling around Seneca Lake take?
Start at Geneva’s Lakeshore Park, which is located at the northernmost point of Seneca Lake, then go 78 miles through generally flat terrain. You will pass through villages like on the loop that circles the entire lake.
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