Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Buffalo area

Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is located in Western New York. This area is at the far northeast end of Lake Erie, south of Lake Ontario and directly across the Niagara River from Canada. It is also the western terminus of the Erie Canal. Attractions in this area include Niagara Falls and the attractions association with the rich history of the Erie Canal.

Erie Canalway / Riverwalk

The Erie Canalway is a system of paved and unpaved pathways that stretches across upstate New York for over 524 miles. This system of individual and often separate trails stretches from Buffalo to Albany. The trail goes through miles of the beautiful New York countryside and past a number of larger cities and numerous smaller communities.

The Riverwalk is a 6.5-mile long paved pathway that follows the banks of the Niagara River from Downtown Buffalo north to Tonawanda and is the westernmost section of the Erie Canalway. There are efforts underway to revitalize the Riverwalk and improve the appearance and condition of the pathway and the adjacent area. The walkway is open for walking and bicycles. It connects several parks and other attractions.

The Riverwalk is not continuous and there are gaps that require trail users to use local streets or sidewalks to connect to the next section.

The Riverwalk connects to the Scajaquada Pathway near Niagara Street and Tonawanda Street to the north of Downtown Buffalo. The Erie Canalway then heads to the north and follows the river until Tonawanda. At Tonawanda, the trail heads eastward alongside Tonawanda Creek which is the western end of the Erie Canal system.

Read more about the Erie Canalway

Scajaquada Pathway

The Scajaquada Pathway is a paved trail that runs alongside the creek and near the Scajaquada Expressway north of Downtown Buffalo. The pathway connects the Riverwalk with the trails in Delaware Park. The pathway wraps around the north side of Buffalo State University. It connects to the Riverwalk near the bridge to Unity Island.

Delaware Park

Delaware Park is Buffalo's largest park. It has miles of walkways and many of Buffalo's major attractions, including a Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course. The park is located on either side of Highway 198 to the north of Downtown Buffalo. The park is adjacent to Buffalo State University and connects to the greenspace along Scajaquada Creek.

The attractions at Delaware Park include: Bridge of the thre Americas, Hoyt Lake, the Marcy Casino, the Rose Garden, the Ivy Bridge, Buffalo History Museum, Beach Bank Picnic Grounds, the Mighty Oak in the Meadow and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.

Ellicott Creek Trail

Ellicott Creek Trail is located to the north of Buffalo. The trail spans from the Erie Canalway to the campus of University of Buffalo. The trail also connects to trails in Audubon Town Park.

Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls State Park is located 18 miles to the north of Buffalo. The park has several paved walking paths for viewing American Falls from below and trails over to Goat Island for viewing both sets of waterfalls from above.

Town of Clarence Bike Trails / Town of Newstead - Village of Akron Bike Path

The Town of Clarence is located to the northeast of Buffalo. There are 16-miles of paved trails located in this part of the Buffalo area. The trails follow abandoned railroad corridors and also wind through the center of Clarence. These trails extend into the Town of Newstead - Village of Akron.

Rails to Trails Pendelton

Pendleton is located to the northeast of Buffalo. The city has a 3.3 mile long paved rail trail that takes a diagonal route across the area. The trail extends from Meyer Road to Lockport Road.

Tonawanda Rails To Trails & Minnesota Linear Park Trail

The Tonawanda Rails to Trails is a 3.9-mile long paved pathway that follows the route of an abandonded railroad line on a diagonal from State Street to Kenmore Avenue. At its south end at Kenmore Avenue, the Tonawanda Rails to Trails meets the paved pathway in Minnesota Linear Park and extends the route to Shoshone Park. Another branch of this trail extends to Main Street.

These pathways travel through a greenbelt that passes residential neighborhoods. There are a number of major street crossings along the way. The route goes past Ives Park, Youngman Plaza, Walter Kenney Filed, Ken-Ton Family YMCA, Lincoln Park, Shoshone Park, LaSalle Station and Bennett High School. The south end is also near the campus of University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions.

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in Buffalo, New York