With temperatures cooling down and the crowds of summer tourists returning home, fall is one of the best times to take a trip on the Erie Canalway Trail. Add to that the incredible display of color as the leaves change, and you’ve got yourself the perfect cycling adventure!
Where to stay
While it starts to get a little too chilly to camp and some of the campgrounds start to close for the season in the fall, there are plenty of cozy Bike Friendly certified B&B’s that are taking reservations. Recognizing that long-distance travelers make deliberate choices about where to stay, eat, and visit, PTNY’s Bike Friendly New York program helps to connect cyclists with businesses along the Erie Canalway Trail that make cyclists feel comfortable and welcome as they pedal through an area. All of the accommodations that are certified as Bike Friendly NY are guaranteed to have a place for you to store your bike securely overnight, and some even go above and beyond by offering bike-cleaning supplies or shuttle services.
What to do
There is plenty to see and do this time of year. Fall is the perfect time to check out some of the trail’s eerie attractions or take in the best of the fall harvest with local apple picking and fall festivals. Fall foliage peaks in September and October and offers a kaleidoscope of colors along stretches of the Canalway with lush canopies. Check out a few of our favorite sections for leaf-peeping, listed from west to east. You can make sure you hit each spot at the perfect time by checking in on the fall Foliage Report from I Love NY. For more amazing fall ride ideas, check out the full list from Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor of all their recommended rides to explore the Erie Canal and communities along its path.
Lockport to Middleport
Enjoy this stunning 12-mile stretch of trail that parallels the canal, where you can see the golden oaks and flaming maples reflecting on the water.
Holley Canal Park
Take a quick jaunt off the main trail to check out Holley Canal Park, where water overflows from the Erie Canal to make a stunning waterfall.
Pittsford to Fairport
Enjoy the the trees bursting into color on this 7-mile section between lovely canal towns on the east side of Rochester.
Old Erie Canal State Historic Park (Dewitt to Rome)
Running 36 miles between Dewitt and Rome to the east of Syracuse, the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park is lined with trees and makes for a stunning sight when the leaves start to turn.
Little Falls
Located in the Mohawk Valley, the city of Little Falls is one of the best places to take in the fall foliage, with tree-lined hills and cliffs surrounding the town.
Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail (Schenectady to Albany)
Stretching about 40 miles from Rotterdam Junction to downtown Albany, the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail section of the Erie Canalway Trail features many tree-lined sections, plus delightful views of the hillsides on the other side of Mohawk River.
Planning your trip
There are tons of resources out there to help you plan a trip! From our interactive map to our paper guidebook, there is plenty of information out there to help you make the most out of your fall adventure.
Whether you’ve got a whole week to dedicate or just a day, a one-way trip on the trail can easily be accommodated using Amtrak’s bike service – it’s now possible to use the train to shuttle you and your bike across the state!
And one more thing! Before hitting the trail, make sure to sign up for the Canalway Challenge to log your miles and be recognized for your achievement!
Canalway Trail Times 