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Erie Canal West Bike Tour

DURATION

6 Day(s)

DAILY BIKING

15 to 45 miles

TRIP DIFFICULTY

1-Easier

REVIEWS

STARTING FROM

$2595

SINGLES ADD FROM

$600

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Trip Overview

Cycle through history on the amazing Erie Canalway Trail! Known as "The Canal That Made America," the Erie Canal was built starting in 1817 and was the most ambitious public works project of its time. It provided a waterway connection from Albany to Buffalo, New York, and was a feat of engineering.

This tour allows you to ride the entire western section of the Erie Canalway, which is a recreational path that runs on or near the original route of this historic treasure. The Canalway is packed with beautiful natural scenery, remarkable U.S. history, and the incredible aqueducts, locks, lift bridges and canal parks of the Erie Canal greenways. On this journey, you meet in Syracuse and shuttle to start cycling from the outskirts of Buffalo … passing through colorful canal communities along the way. You also stay in Seneca Falls, an important landmark in women’s rights. End your tour back in Syracuse.

There’s an option on some departures to ALSO continue further east on the Erie Canalway Trail and add another 6-day bike tour that extends this one — from Syracuse to Albany. If you do both tours together, we offer a 10% discount (can't be combined with other discounts or offers).

Learn more about cycling the eastern section of the trail with us on the Erie Canal East Bike Tour

See a list of our all of our New York State tours.

Itinerary

From start to finish, check out the route.

DAY 1 - Arrival Day & Niagara River

Distance: 15 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hampton Inn, Lockport
The tour starts at 9 a.m. at the Hampton Inn and Suites Syracuse North Airport where you meet your leaders for a shuttle transit to the start where you have a delicious lunch option. Then start the ride in Tonawanda along the lovely Niagara River and the Tonawanda waterfront. There you enter the gateway to the Erie Canal en route to Lockport — and the famous Flight of Five Locks, considered an engineering marvel of its day. Dinner is together.

DAY 2 - Lockport to Brockport: Parks & Villages

Distance: 22, 33 or 48 miles | Terrain: Easier | Hampton Inn, Brockport
After breakfast, climb aboard your bike to enjoy a day of easy, scenic cycling on gravel bike trail as you pass through charming villages with mom-and-pop restaurants and classic storefronts — many over 100 years old. At 22 miles, you reach Medina and the Medina Falls. In the village of Albion you see classic storefront buildings from the 1800s. Then spin through Holley — with a pretty park along the canal. Next on to Spencerport with its canal museum … before arriving in the college town of Brockport, your stop for the night. Dinner is together in Brockport.

DAY 3 - Bridges & Aqueducts

Distance: 25, 33 or 36 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa, Pittsford
On today’s ride, you roll through almost a dozen unique canal towns. Take a moment to admire the beautiful lift bridges, aqueducts and canal parks along the way. Enjoy lunch together, on us. You leave the Canalway Trail in Rochester at a park designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead (whose first project was designing Central Park in NY City). You can cycle into the city of Rochester along the Genesee River, or ride in the van, past the Susan B. Anthony Museum at mile 25, and on to High Falls for lunch on us … before continuing back to the canal trail. The riding ends today in the waterfront town of Pittsford with its great views, shops and eateries. You stay here for the night. Dinner is on your own tonight with numerous choices nearby the hotel.

DAY 4 - Lift Bridges and Locks

Distance: 33 miles | Terrain: Easier | The Gould, Seneca Falls
Start cycling today right from the hotel onto the Canalway Trail. You pass along the Great Embankment, another engineering feat of its day, carrying the canal 70 feet above Irondequoit Creek. Continue spinning through the Village of Fairport with the last lift bridge heading east, before reaching Palmyra, the lunch spot for today. Cycle on to Lyons, home of the Peppermint Museum and more than a dozen Canal-themed murals. Finish riding near the Clyde Blockhouse Fort, where the original structure dates to 1722, then shuttle to the historic town of Seneca Falls. Stay at The Gould Hotel, and enjoy dinner on your own at one of the restaurants in walking distance to the hotel. Seneca Falls has many points of interest — including the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, Cayuga Lake State Park, the Seneca Knitting Mill Civil War historical site, and other museums, shops and great restaurants.

DAY 5 - Rural Riding to Syracuse

Distance: 45 miles | Terrain: Easier to Intermediate | The Parkview Hotel, Syracuse
Shuttle back to the trail in Clyde for a mix of trail and road riding through scenic farmland and quiet towns. Keep an eye out for bald eagles and ospreys as you pass the bird-watchers' paradise that's the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Lunch is on your own in Weedsport. Then it's back to trail riding with a stop at the replica Sim's Store in Camillus, through the New York State Fairgrounds, along the shores of Onondaga Lake, and through the city on protected bike lanes to the hotel. A celebratory dinner in Syracuse on us caps off your Erie Canal West trip.

DAY 6 - Departure Day

Distance: 11 miles | Terrain: Easier
Wrap up your tour with a relaxing ride to Green Lakes State Park, then return to the hotel for a departure shuttle back to the start at the Hampton Inn and Suites Syracuse North Airport. (If you are continuing on to join us for the optional Erie Canal East tour, this can be a rest day for you ... and you can explore Syracuse before you start the next part of the Trail on Saturday.)

Map

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.

Start	End	Cost	Availability

What’s Included

5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.

Dates & Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.

What’s Included

Inns

Where you stay along the way.

Hampton Inn Lockport

Hampton Inn Lockport NY is a comfortable stay in the heart of wine country. Enjoy modern accommodations near Niagara Falls and other attractions.

Hampton Inn Brockport

This hotel is a few steps from Main Street. Stroll along the Erie Canal and check out shops and restaurants, or visit the SUNY Brockport campus. It's less than half an hour to hiking, boating, and fishing on the shore of Lake Ontario.

The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa

The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa is located in the upscale small town of Pittsford, right on the Erie Canal Heritage Trail. The Del Monte Lodge offers stylish comfort near celebrated attractions. Embrace luxury accommodation in beautifully appointed rooms.

The Gould, Seneca Falls

The Gould, Seneca Falls is located in the heart of America’s best wine region and adjacent to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. The Gould Hotel builds upon the building’s rich history of social importance in the Finger Lakes Region with a unique and fresh feel. This modern boutique hotel and its exceptional restaurant have again become a vibrant social center and premier destination for guests in the quaint village of Seneca Falls.

The Parkview Hotel

This hotel is contemporary meets art-deco; funky meets comfortable, and the end result is a boutique hotel atmosphere where you feel just fine about kicking off your shoes and relaxing. These downtown Syracuse accommodations were designed with that in mind. Perfectly appointed for extended visits, but rivaling the chicest boutique hotels in design, they come with everything you need — mentally and physically — to settle in for a nice long stay.

Guests say …

Quotes from guests about this tour:

" I loved the tree-lined trail, learning the canal histories from the leaders who have excellent history knowledge, and of course, meeting some really nice fellow travelers."

— Toni E.

"The leaders are amazing, and the tour provided differentiated routes for all sorts of needs. "

— Christine O.

"This is our third trip with Discovery. We're very happy and highly recommend this tour."

— Bill B.

"I loved every mile!"

— Kathy B.