October 18, 2026 - The renowned Erie Canalway Trail in Upstate New York offers a unique heritage cycling getaway along 360mi (almost 580km) of one of the world’s most famous man-made waterways.

Connecting Albany and Buffalo, the popular multi-use trail was completed in 1825, and celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.

Open to Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes with some restrictions, the trail has seen a notable increase of visitors on e-bikes in recent years.

The Erie Canalway Trail forms the east-west spine of the 750-mile Empire State Trail, which runs from Albany to Buffalo and includes a north-south route as well from New York City through the Hudson River Valley to Lake Champlain.

Mostly flat, the Erie Canalway Trail is 87% off-road and suitable for all ages and abilities. You can experience the trail as a single multi-day adventure or explore shorter segments using the trail’s region-by-region itineraries, such as the Western Erie: Buffalo to Newark route, often rated as the “100 Must-See Miles” of the Erie Canal.

The trail also offers a fully supported annual bike tour, which ran July 10-18 in 2026, starting in Buffalo and heading east for eight days on an unforgettable journey across the Empire State.

If you plan to cycle the entire length of the trail, either as part of the tour or on your own, you can register for the trail’s End-to-End program. Participants receive a certificate and a window decal, and are added to the Honour Roll to celebrate their achievement of walking, cycling, or kayaking end-to-end, whether completed in one multi-day trip or in segments over a longer period of time.

The trail offers easy access to communities along the way, with plenty to see and do. You can stop in Albion to visit farmers’ markets; explore the Lockport Locks, and take an Erie Canal cruise; enjoy Brockport’s welcoming downtown; take in High Falls in Rochester; or visit the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse.

Accommodation options along the way include campsites, hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts. Plus, countless restaurants, bars, bistros, cafes, bakeries, and more are nearby for refuelling.

You’ll also find a series of recommended family-friendly trips along the Canalway, with round-trip routes ranging from 3km to 22.5km and fun themes such as the Lockport ice cream ride and the bridge ride.

The Erie Canalway Trail website offers trail maps along with extensive local information to help plan a memorable cycling adventure of a lifetime.