Take Your Bike! Family Rides in the Finger Lakes & Genesee Valley Region

The rides in this book are designed for people who delight in exploring unique or little known places. The paths and backcountry roads allow you to safely enjoy the natural world and learn about our community and its history.

Whether young or young at heart, you can enjoy the adventures this guide brings to life. All you need is a sturdy bike (no need to have a mountain bike) to begin your adventures. Enjoy the trails in all seasons. They’re equally well suited to hiking and cross-country skiing.

Here’s your chance to:
+ Ride through an abandoned Naval Training Base
+ Explore the remains of mills and factories from the 1800s
+ Ride tree-shaded trails where steam locomotives once hauled coal from Pennsylvania mines to ports on Lake Ontario
+ Experience life from a bygone era while riding the towpath of the abandoned enlarged Erie Canal

Trail Locations
NY State Map showing bike trail locations

Table of Contents

History of the Bicycle
Types of Bikes
Safety
Bicycling With Children
Dogs Welcome!
Clothing and Equipment
Bike Racks
Rides in Orleans, Genesee, & Wyoming Counties
    1. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
    2. Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area
    3. Genesee County Park - Outer Loop   MAP
    4. Genesee County Park & Forest - Inner Loop
    5. Groveland Secondary
    6. Silver Lake Outlet
    7. Letchworth State Park - Trout Pond Loop
Rides in Livingston & Monroe Counties
    8. Letchworth State Park - Big Bend Loop
    9. Genesee Valley Greenway - Portageville to Nunda
    10. Genesee Valley Greenway - Cuylerville to Avon MAP
    11. Rattlesnake Hill - Bike Loop
    12. Rattlesnake Hill - Linear Bike Trail
    13. Genesee Valley Greenway - Scottsville
    14. Mendon - Lehigh Valley Trail
Rides in Ontario County
    15. Victor - Lehigh Valley Trail
    16. Auburn Trail
    17. Ontario Pathways Trail
    18. Canadice Lake Trail MAP
    19. Harriet Hollister Spencer Memorial State Recreation Area - Sidewinder Trail
    20. Lakeshore Park/Seneca Lake State Park
Rides in Yates, Wayne, & Seneca Counties
    21. Middlesex Valley Rail Trail
    22. Keuka Lake Outlet Trail    Revised MAP 10/2001
    23. Canal Park Trailway
    24. Sampson State Park - Lake Trail
Rides in Schuyler & Tompkins Counties
    25. Finger Lakes National Forest
    26. Sugar Hill State Reforestation Area MAP
    27. Queen Catharine Marsh
    28. Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area
    29. South Hill Recreation Way
    30. East Ithaca Recreation Way
    31. Dryden Lake Park Trail
Rides in Cayuga & Onondaga Counties
    32. Bear Swamp State Forest - Short Loop
    33. Bear Swamp State Forest - Long Loop
    34. Auburn-Flemming Trail
    35. Casey Park
    36. Howland Island
    37. Cayuga County Erie Canal Trail (Port Byron to Jordan)
    38. Erie Canalway Trail (Jordan-Camillus) MAP
    39. Erie Canal Park
    40. Charlie Major Nature Trail