Biking Along the Erie Canal Trail

by Kimberly Hickok

My good friend Ruth, along with her family, spent a week this past summer biking the Erie Canal Trail from Buffalo to Albany, NY. She had a blast. It was an opportunity for her family to slow down, soak in New York state’s rich history and in the end achieve the wonderful sense of accomplishment that came from biking across New York state.

Ruth put together a Pinterest board where she chronicles her journey on an interactive map with photographs along the way.

I have no intention (at this time anyway) of making the nearly 300-mile trek but I did have a blast riding a small section of the trail around Little Falls, NY last week. Ruth, Kris and I – along with their sons – drove from Albany to Little Falls with the intention of riding about 20 miles to Canajoharie. We didn’t get that far. It didn’t matter. We had fun.

Here’s what we did. We drove into the town of Little Falls and parked next to the Little Falls Antique Center. This antique shop is the reason why we didn’t cover as much ground as we should have. We got totally waylaid shopping. This shop is filled with everything – furniture, light fixtures, linens, old cameras, prints, signs, glasses, bar ware . . . I could go on and on. There’s also a little ice cream shop/cafe right in the shop and above the store is lodging.

The Little Falls Antique Center was formerly a textile mill and can be accessed via the Erie Canal Trail which connects to the Little Falls health trail

The Little Falls Antique Center was formerly a textile mill and can be accessed via the Erie Canal Trail which connects to the Little Falls health trail

A closeup of the sign outside the antique center. Lots of exploring to do!

A closeup of the sign outside the antique center. Lots of exploring to do!

Fast forward an hour and a half later. We drove east just outside of town to Lock 17 where we ate lunch under the bridge and watched a boat come down the canal and enter the lock. Little Falls - Lock

Little Falls - Lock 17

This lock raises or lowers boats about 40′.

Fast forward another hour or so and we were off. The ride was easy. Mostly flat and on smooth crushed stone. Much of the path was shaded which we appreciated because it was about 85F and humid the day of our outing.

Ruth, Me and Kris

Ruth, Me and Kris

Our next stop was the Herkimer House. Herkimer was a general in the Revolutionary War and built this fabulous house which you can tour. The day we went it was closed but we still walked around the grounds.

Herkimer HouseHerkimer House - cemetery

I plan on doing the full trip between Little Falls and Canajoharie this fall – especially now that I have a brand new bike!

New wheels! Trek FX 7.1 - in case you're wondering.

New wheels! Trek FX 7.1 – in case you’re wondering.

This link on Parks and Trails NY breaks down the Erie Canal Trail between Little Falls and Albany into three legs – Little Falls to Canajoharie; Canajoharie to Schenectady; Schenectady to Albany. You can also use their interactive map to create your own trip and see what amenities are available along the way.

I hope this post inspires you to check out the Erie Canal Trail.

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