Rochester NY has the great benefit of being a busy metropolitan city, but also being located in one of the most beautiful regions of Central and Western New York. For anyone that likes to spend time outdoors, there are a number of hiking trails Rochester is not far from. Here are some of the more popular Rochester hiking trails that you might consider the next time that you want to get some fresh air, exercise, and take in the sights of the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region.
- Genesee Riverway Trail
- Mendon Ponds Park
- Letchworth State Park
The Riverway trail is located almost in the center of Rochester, and runs through 16 scenic miles. Perhaps the best thing about the Riverway trail is that it runs right into the Erie Canal Trail, which is three-fourths of the way towards completion. When finished, the Erie Canal Trail will be 524 miles long. Because these two Rochester hiking trails run into each other, they make a good transition from a short trail into a much longer one, but both are good beginner hiking trails, being on relatively level ground.
For More Rochester NY hiking that is centrally located, you could try the Mendon Ponds Park, which is actually the largest park in Monroe County at 2,500 acres. If you get tired of hiking, you can also bike, boat, camp, fish, cross-country ski, geo-cache, experience their Sensory Garden, and much more. For Rochester NY hiking that is very kid friendly, this park is ideal because there are so many other activities that can be experienced alongside your hiking excursion.
While technically not a Rochester hiking destination, the Letchworth State Park is just a 30 minute drive to the southwest of Rochester. It is home to three waterfalls, and some more demanding hiking then the other Rochester hiking trails previously listed. To give you an idea of the kind of hiking that Letchworth has to offer, consider that the park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” There are more than 66 miles of hiking trails, and plenty of other activities that can be enjoyed including horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
When hiking Rochester trails, remember to wear appropriate clothing, and take safety precautions. These Rochester hiking trails may not be as difficult as some Fahnestock State Park or Black Rock Forest trails, but as with any outdoor sport, safety should be paramount. For easy hiking trails, little more is necessary than good shoes, water, and an eagerness to enjoy the outdoors.
Where do you like to hike in Rochester?