Genesee RiverWatch
There are wonderful hiking opportunities in the Genesee River Basin. Trail systems include the Genesee Riverway in the City of Rochester, the Genesee Valley Greenway that extends 90 miles from Rochester to Cuba, the 15-mile Lehigh Valley trails in southern Monroe County, and Letchworth State Park. Mendon Ponds Park also has ample opportunities for hiking. From these, we have compiled our own list of trails that – as a rule – are less well known and should have very little traffic. Put on your walking shoes and hit the trails to take in the natural beauty of the Genesee, surrounding woodlands and local wildlife and birds. Along the way, you are likely to see historical evidence of the importance of the Genesee to the development of the region.
Most of these routes are described as point-to-point. If you do them this way, you will want to leave a second car at the end point. You could also do them as out-and-back trips with a single car; possibly doing half the route one day and, starting from the other end, doing the other half on a second day.
Nothing says that you must walk. Many people bike these trails and, judging by the hoofprints, some ride horses.
Hikes along the Genesee Riverway & Genesee Valley Greenway Trails:
Seneca Park – Genesee Riverway Trail – Trout Lake to O’Rorke Bridge – 3.3 miles one way
York Landing – Fowlerville – Genesee Valley Greenway Trail – 2.7 miles one-way
Avon area – Genesee Valley Greenway Trail – Route 20 to Lehigh Valley Trail – 6.4 miles one-way
Hikes along the Lehigh Valley Trail
Lehigh Valley Trail Chamberlain Road to Quaker Meeting House Road, Mendon – 1.7 miles one-way
Hikes in Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park East Side – 6.0 miles round trip
Lakes & Preserves
Canadice Lake – West Lake Trail – 4.0 miles one-way
Hemlock Lake – Old East Lake Road – 3.6 miles round trip
Indian Fort Nature Preserve – Geneseo area – 2.2 miles of trails