bike tour erie canal

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New York: Historic Erie Canal Bike Tour

• More miles & meals!
• Full route support
• Expert local guides!
• Well thought out guest friendly itinerary
• Bikes included! E-bikes also!
• Personal service!

Daily Itinerary

Transfer from Rochester International Airport to the historic town of Clarence, NY. Bike fitting, short warm-up ride along the old Peanut Line, followed by a wine reception and dinner. Lodging: Historic Asa Ransom House. (6-15 miles)

Ride from historic Lockport following the old Erie Canal . The ride will take us through several noted canal towns, including Medina, Albion, and Holley, New York. Be sure to visit the Medina Railroad Museum. The town of Albion boasts the highest concentration of cobblestone houses in the U.S. Arrive in time to peruse the shops of historic Brockport, a town that is nearly 200 years old. The route is essentially flat. Lodging: Hilton Hampton Inn and Suites. (18, 34, or 43 miles)

Follow one of the nicest stretches of the Erie Canal , stopping along the way in Adams Basin and Spencerport, two pleasant canal towns that owe their existence to the commerce created by the Erie Canal. Do not miss out on the ice-cream from the Pittsford Farm Dairy located near the hotel or take an afternoon boat ride on the canal (optional). Lodging: The four-star Renaissance Del Monte Lodge & Spa. (28 or 35 or 42 miles)

Ride to Palmyra, NY or Newark, NY , home to the Joseph Smith Farm along original canal path and then loop back to your hotel. Sumptuous farewell dinner at the acclaimed Erie Grill. Lodging: Renaissance Del Monte Lodge & Spa. (16, 36, or 44 miles)

Morning transfer to Rochester International Airport.

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6 DAY INN TO INN BIKE TOUR ON THE Erie Canalway

Ride 194 miles from buffalo to rome, ny.

Experience the famous Erie Canal by bike! Complete 194 miles on crushed gravel and paved trail as we ride from Buffalo to Rome, NY. You and your guides will follow the route of the historic canal and take advantage of the $200 million Empire State Trail investment.

Enjoy five nights in trail towns across Central NY and ride from the countryside to the city of Syracuse. Take time to view the historic locks and canals, or head straight to the hotel and explore the unique towns along the way.

BIKE TOUR SUMMARY

Day 1:   Meet your guides in Fayetteville, NY (outside of Syracuse) before shuttling to our first night’s lodging in Medina, NY. 

Day 2 – 37 miles:   Ride 37 miles from Buffalo to Medina. Along the way, you’ll have a chance to explore the famous ‘Flight of Five’. This is a staircase of five locks built to elevate boats through the 50-foot Niagara Escarpment. 

Day 3 – 53 miles:   Tackle 53 miles of riding on crushed gravel and paved trails as we pass through small towns on the way to Rochester. Along the way stop for lunch in Brockport, home to an array of Victorian buildings with 45 of them on the State and National Register of Historic Places. We’ll end the day at the trailside Del Monte Lodge. This is the perfect place to unwind after 53 miles in the saddle. 

Day 4 – 41 miles:   After a group breakfast, we’ll head into the central New York countryside as we travel towards Clyde, NY. Along the way, we’ll pass through historic small towns like Palmyra. This is the home of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, as well as where the Book of Mormon was first published. Next, w e’ll have a group trailside lunch and finish riding in Clyde. There is a section of the trail that is incomplete, therefore we’ll end the day with a shuttle to Seneca Falls. Here we will be spending the night in the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. 

Day 5 – 34 miles: Bike over and then experience a canal boat ride on the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, the only restored navigable aqueduct in NY. Regroup for a trailside lunch outside of Syracuse and then start riding on a brand-new trail. New York State invested $36 million into a 14-mile extension of the Erie Canal Trail making this day of riding possible. You’ll experience an elevated section of trail that boasts an amazing vista over Onondaga Lake. Be sure to look for Bald Eagles. From here the ride descends into Syracuse, surprisingly beautiful, this section of the trail was finished in 2020. It gives you the chance to ride through historic downtown Syracuse. See what’s possible when there is support for trail infrastructure.

Day 6 – 29 miles:   On our final day, we’ll complete 29 miles from Rome back to Fayetteville. The day will begin with a group breakfast before we jump in the van for a shuttle to Lock 21. After that, we’ll ride back to Fayetteville passing the Chittenango Landing Boat Museum along the way. Tackling day six in ‘reverse’ allows all riders to ride at their own pace and head for home on their own time schedule. 

2024 ERIE CANAL TOUR DATES

• 19th – 24th (sold out, join the waitlist )
• 16th – 21st (sold out, join the waitlist )
• 23rd – 28th – NEW! Just added
• 14th – 19th (sold out, join the waitlist )
• 8th – 13th (sold out, join the waitlist )
• 22nd – 27th (sold out, join the waitlist )

Private Trips may be available on alternative dates for groups of 8 or more.  To arrange a private trip, please give us a call at 570.325.8430 and ask for Sierra.   

• Difficulty:  Easy/Moderate – Crushed gravel trail
• Trip Size:   Up to 12 guests, 2 guides
• Minimum Age:  13 years old
• Fully Supported from beginning to end

There is a $250 non-refundable deposit, per rider, required at the time of your reservation.

• E-bike rentals are available for an additional charge
• Conventional bikes and eBikes only; NO trikes, recumbents, or tandems. 
• For a detailed itinerary and FAQ, please call 570.325.8430 and ask for Sierra, OR send an email to [email protected]
• CLICK HERE to view our special 6-Day Erie Canal, 4-Day D&L, and 4-Day Hudson Valley inn to inn bike tour brochure.

ERIE CANAL TOUR RATES

• Individual with own bike – $1719.
• Bike rental (if needed)  – $199.
• e-Bike rental (if needed) – $399.
• Single supplement – $425. additional for those traveling solo

Rate Includes

• Biking on 194 miles of crushed gravel and paved trail
• Five nights of lodging 
• Professional bike guides
• Rest stops with snacks and water
• Welcome dinner 
• Breakfast on five days
• Lunch on three days
• Basic bike repair
• Luggage transportation to each accommodation
• Morning trail briefings
• Parking for the week 
• Shuttle from your car to the start of the ride – ride directly back to your car
• Entire trip is fully supported

RESERVATIONS & INFORMATION

For more information on our fully supported, six-day Inn to Inn Erie Canal Bike Tour, please give us a call at 570.325.8430 and ask for Sierra. Or, you can send us a request via email to [email protected]

Note: Please click here to join our waitlist if your preferred date is currently sold out.

Canal Corporation

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Home » Trails » Biking the Canalway Trail

• Biking the Canalway Trail

See information on the use of e-bikes on public lands under the jurisdiction of the NYS Canal Corporation here .

Fully supported cycling tours along the Erie Canalway Trail that include fine lodging and restaurants are offered by:

• The Inn-to-Inn Touring along the Erie Canalway Trail: Albany, Schenectady and Montgomery Counties covers the eastern end of the State,
• Inn-to-Inn Touring Along the Erie Canalway Trail: Syracuse to Little Falls covers the central part of the state and
• Inn-to-Inn Touring Along the Erie Canalway Trail: Lockport to Palmyra covers the western part of the State

Biking & Hiking

• About the Canalway Trail
• Camping along the Canalway Trail
• Adopt-a-Trail Program
• Canalway Trail Advisories
• Canalway Trail Map
• Hours of Operation
• Boat Rentals and Cruises
• Tolls, Passes and Permits
• Navigating the Canals
• Locks, Lift Bridges and Guard Gates
• Marinas and Public Docks
• Procurement Opportunities
• Real Property
• Purchasing Policies
• Commercial Shipping and Towing
• Communities
• Press Releases
• Canal Notices and Alerts
• Media Graphics
• Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force
• Canal Recreationway Commission
• Open Meeting Webcasts
• Calendar of Events
• Special Events
• History and Education
• Contacting the Canal
• Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
• Jobs at the Canal
• Board and Executive Staff
• Environmental Stewardship
• Invasive Species
• Guidelines, Organization and Compliance Reports

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Erie Canal Bike Trail Trip Planner

Trails > Erie Canalway

Erie Canalway

The 350-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany offers a glimpse of historic New York State as you follow the route of the Erie Canal.

Erie Canalway Trail

The 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany offers a glimpse of historic New York State as you follow the route of the Erie Canal.

About the Erie Canalway

What’s the erie canalway.

The Erie Canalway is a 360-mile trail following the route of the historic the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany, New York.  The trail is primarily flat and on crushed gravel or asphalt bike path, with a few sections of road-riding. A mix of urban centers and small towns are located with relative frequency along the route.

The Erie Canalway Trail is part of the Empire State Trail system and also part of a larger Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The trips detailed in this blueprint will focus on the trail between Buffalo and Albany, primarily following the Empire State Trail routing. We also offer a blueprint of the entire Empire State Trail system.

Riding the Erie Canal

The Erie Canalway route travels paved bike paths from the Buffalo Canalside waterfront paralleling the Niagara River to Tonawanda. The route then follows a mix of paved and crushed gravel rail trail from Lockport to Newark, N.Y.

East of Newark the Erie Canalway trail follows a mix of secondary roads and short bike paths, with fewer services but plenty of scenery, until arriving in the city of Syracuse.

From Syracuse to Albany the route mostly follows a series of bike trails including the Old Erie Canal Historic State Park and the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, which provides gorgeous views of the Mohawk River Valley and offers an easy path into Albany.

Trail Highlights

The Erie Canalway is a scenic trail appropriate for bike tourists of all abilities. Historic canal and lock features remain throughout the route, as well as a series of modern, active canal locks which offer a contrast to the older remains.

State and national sites and parks accessible from the trail include Niagara Falls, Women’s Rights Historical Park (Seneca Falls), Fort Stanwix and Oriskany Battlefield State Historic Site (Rome), Herkimer Home, Schoharie Crossing, and the Historic Stockade District (Schenectady).

A Comfortable Pace

Our blueprints itineraries are designed to give you the tools to create an itinerary that matches your goals and abilities. The Erie Canalway offers bike tourists a multitude of itinerary options to enjoy the ride and experience the region’s natural beauty.

Looking for Something Different?

We are proud to offer a wide variety of curated tour itineraries on many of the nation’s best trails.

New York Bike Tours

Explore new york’s historic erie canal path, empire state trail, finger lakes wine region and the stunning adirondacks.

From America’s most storied waterway to the wineries of the Finger Lakes and one of New York’s most beautiful state parks there is a NY bike tour experience that will fit your desired road or rail-trail journey.  We’ve selected the best routes, best inns and incredible places in upstate New York for your active bicycling vacation.  Explore and enjoy!

All tours are fully supported with SAG wagons and experienced guides. Bring your own bike or rent one from Wilderness Voyageurs. These trips are loaded with picturesque scenery to explore and give you the chance to pedal your way through NY history. Plan your trip with our easy online booking option, or give us a call to make reservations. We’re looking forward to seeing you on tour!

New York Adirondacks Road Bike Tour

Spend six days adventuring through one of our country’s most beautiful natural areas: The Adirondacks. You’ll enjoy quiet roads across rivers, past mountains and around lakes. The ride begins and ends in Burlington, making a rough loop into the mountains and around Lake Champlain. Along the way you’ll experience Ausable Chasm, tour Fort Ticonderoga and discover why this area has been a classic vacation destination since the 1800s.

Trip Length: 6 days

See Adirondacks Bike Tour Information

New York’s Empire State Trail Tour

Explore the Hudson Valley along New York’s Empire State Trail! This trail, completed in 2020, allows cyclists to experience the Empire State’s urban centers, village main streets, rural communities and diverse history. Over six days, we’ll travel along the Hudson River Valley from downtown New York City to Schenectady, New York. Be one of the first to experience it!

See Empire State Trail Tour Information

Finger Lakes 6-day Bike Tour

Take six days to savor laid-back cycling, local wines, beautiful scenery, and the fantastic cuisine of the Finger Lakes, the premiere wine region of the east coast. Pedal around four of the region’s largest and deepest lakes, savoring their deep beauty. We’ll visit unique wineries, hike stunning waterfalls, and explore charming villages along the way.

See Finger Lakes Trip Information

Seneca Lake Backroads & Brews Bike Tour

Experience the wonders of the Finger Lakes region with the Seneca Backroads tour. Ride tranquil back roads, visit farms and vineyards, enjoy a scenic boat excursion on Seneca Lake, hike to stunning waterfalls, and top it all off with a craft brew from Grist Iron Brewery at the end of each day.  This is an approachable multi-surface tour. The routes follow a mix of back roads, gravel roads, and rail trails near the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Trip Length: 4 days

See Seneca Lake Trip Information

Erie Canalway Trail Bike Tours

New York Erie Canal West Bike Tour

We’ll pedal through early 1800s historic commercial port cities, explore canal locks, and ride 100 miles of the Erie Canalway, a National Heritage Corridor. This tour spends 4 days on the mostly limestone trails of the towpath of the Erie Canal, the most commercially enduring and historically significant canalway in the U.S. This tour complements our newest ride, Erie East, to complete the Erie Canalway Trail.

See Erie Canal West Tour Information

New York Erie Canal East Bike Tour

NEW – We’ve created the perfect complement to our original Erie Canal (now Erie West) bike tour that completes the Erie Canalway Trail. Our carefully designed itinerary ensures a delightful mix of cycling, sightseeing, and exploration. Along the way, we’ll encounter charming towns and villages that have been forever influenced by the canal’s presence. Take time to discover the fascinating stories, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities that make this region so unique.

Trip Length: 5 days

See Erie Canal East Tour Information

Moscow Bike Tours

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Moscow Bike Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Bike Tour Cost & Cancellation Info

2024 TOUR PRICES

Prices until june 3, 2024, prices after june 3, 2024, 2024 cancellation policy & forms.

NOTE: This Policy also applies to riders who choose to cancel due to New York State mandates for “Large Group Gatherings” or personal choice regarding any pandemic outbreak as well as anyone else canceling their ride for any other reason.

Canceling the Ride

To receive a refund of your ride registration and, if applicable, shuttle reservation fee, minus a $200 cancellation fee per person (fees increase after June 3), you must submit the Rider Cancellation Form ⭳ no later than June 17, 2024 . If your refund request is made after June 17, 2024, you will receive a credit, minus the cancellation fee, good towards the Erie Canal 2025 only. No shuttle reservation refunds or credits after June 17, 2024. No ride registration refunds or credits after June 28, 2024. All refunds are issued by check. NOTE: When canceling both the ride and the shuttle together, you will not be charged an additional fee to cancel the shuttle.

After June 17, 2024, to receive a credit for your ride registration, minus a cancellation fee per person

(fees increase after June 3), you must submit a ride registration cancellation request form no later than June 17. Credits can be used toward next year’s PTNY Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour. No credits after June 28, 2024.

Ride Cancellation Fees Through June 3, 2024

8-DAY RIDER: $200 PER PERSON

4-DAY RIDER: $100 PER PERSON

Ride Cancellation Fees AFTER JUNE 3, 2024

8-DAY RIDER: $300 PER PERSON

4-DAY RIDER: $150 PER PERSON

Cancelling Just the Shuttle

If you're still joining us for the ride but need to cancel your shuttle reservation and receive a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee per person (fee increases on June 3), you must submit the Shuttle Cancellation Form no later than June 17, 2024. No shuttle refunds after June 17, 2024. There are no shuttle credits.

Shuttle Cancellation Fees

NOTE: If canceling the entire ride, only ride cancellation fees will be charged, even if your ride included the shuttle

UP UNTIL JUNE 3, 2024: $25 PER PERSON

AFTER JUNE 3, 2024: $40 PER PERSON

Cancellation Synopsis

• ALL REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED IN CHECK FORM AND CAN TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS TO PROCESS
• CANCELLATION FEES INCREASE per person after JUNE 3, 2024
• NO SHUTTLE REFUNDS AFTER JUNE 17, 2024
• NO RIDE REFUNDS AFTER JUNE 17, 2024; CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE (MINUS THE CANCELLATION FEE) UP UNTIL JUNE 28, 2024, AND CAN ONLY BE APPLIED TO CYCLE THE ERIE CANAL 2025.

Making Changes to Your Original Tour Choice

If after you register, you find you need to change your tour choice from 8-day to 4-day or from the 4-day to the 8-day, please note that you will be charged a $100 fee per changed registration.

LEARN HOW TO GET A DISCOUNT ON YOUR REGISTRATION

Become a member.

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide not-for-profit organization working to create, protect, and promote parks and trails in New York State including the Erie Canalway Trail. Become a member of Parks & Trails New York and receive exclusive member benefits, including a discount on this year's Cycle the Erie Canal Annual Bike Tour registration!

Volunteer on the Ride

Riders and drivers who volunteer enjoy a discounted registration fee. Volunteer riders are able to cycle part of the time. Volunteer roles include SAG and luggage truck drivers, rest stop help, route supervisors, route checking, and more.

Registration includes:

• Camping accommodations every evening with showers and toilet facilities. Some campsites include pools for swimming.
• Eight hearty breakfasts and six delicious dinners (Four Breakfasts and three dinners for 4-day riders)
• Two daily refreshment stops, stocked with fruit, snacks and beverages
• Evening entertainment, including music and historical presentations
• Cycle the Erie Canal t-shirt
• Baggage transport
• SAG wagon and mobile mechanical support
• Daily maps and cue sheets
• Painted and arrowed routes
• Pre-departure downloadable Rider Handbook, including training tips
• Recognition as a Cycle the Erie Canal End-to-Ender
• Free access to numerous attractions and historic sites along the way

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