Ontario Pathways Rail Trail

New York Rail Trails
Finger Lakes Region, NY

Family
Trail Description
Click for trail map

Location: Canandaigua to Phelps. Ontario County.

Directions: Parking in downtown Canandaigua on the northside at 200 Ontario St., between Rt.332 (Main St.) and East St. Parking also on Freshour Rd., County Rd. 47, Depot Rd. and in Phelps on Rt.96 or Gifford Rd.

Trail Length: 24 miles

Trail Surface: Gravel, grass, cinder

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Multi-Use Trail: mountain biking, cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing.

Caution: Road crossings.

Local Resources Hub: Bike shops, bike clubs, outdoor adventure travel, bike tours, bike events, trail maps, bike safety, camping, historical places, where to stay and other related mountain biking resources.


Note: The free trail maps on this website have been simplified to provide an overview with approximate locations of trails and special features. Read Full Disclaimer.

Trail Description:

Experience mountain biking the 24-mile multi-use Finger Lakes Ontario Pathways Trail which runs east-west between Canandaigua and Stanley and north-south between Stanley and Phelps. It passes through some residential areas but mostly travels through farmland and woods. The rail-trail is owned and operated by the non-profit corporation, Ontario Pathways, Inc. It is a community-based, family organization that sponsors outdoor activities that teach about the flora and fauna of the trail.

This New York rail trail is flat, around 10 feet wide with a cinder track running between grass sides. This is a great family bike ride. There are trestle and bridge crossings over scenic creeks with waterfalls. From Stanley to Phelps the trail is more scenic as it follows Flint Creek.

Trail Highlights: Double Drop Falls on Flint Creek. Kayakers love to run these waters during the spring flood season.

History:

The east-west segment was constructed in 1851 to carry coal to the lake and the north-south segment in 1872, to carry agricultural products. At one time the community of Stanley, where the two sections of the trail join, was a major interchange for trains and had over 200 railroad employees as residents. Remnants from the railroad era include trestle and bridge crossings and an old wood railroad water tower in Orleans.

For more information:

For other long distance multi-use rail trails in this region see New York Rail Trails

Ontario Pathways, Inc.
PO Box 996
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Phone: (585) 234-7722

Return To Top



	federal & state trails / county & local trails / urban legends / new york rail trails / outdoor adventure centers & ski resorts

Connecticut / Delaware / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / New Hampshire / New Jersey /
New York / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / Vermont

home / special features / in the loop / mountain bike events calendar / resource hub / the bike rack / about /
bike basics / bike tips / rules of the trail / site map
advertising / privacy policy / contact us

Bikekinetix® Is A Registered Trademark of Lynn Creative Inc.