Two-wheel Tours of Niagara County

Experiencing natural beauty isn’t limited to the scenic overlooks along the Falls in Niagara Falls, New York. In fact, that’s just the beginning of the natural wonders that await in and around Niagara County. From the mighty Niagara River and its namesake gorge, to not one but two Great Lakes, Erie and Ontario — and the historic Erie Canal, numerous state parks, plenty of fertile countryside dotted with wineries and quaint, historic towns — this place is chock-full of beautiful spots to explore. And one of the best ways to do that? On two wheels.

Cycling Niagara County’s many paved pathways allows you to slow down and take in the scenery around you in a way that traveling by car just doesn’t allow. Whether you bring your bike or opt to borrow, here are some Niagara bike trails to consider during your two-wheeled tour of Niagara Falls USA.

Niagara Falls Scenic Parkway Trail

Length: 3.9 miles

Points of interest: De Veaux Woods State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, Niagara Power Vista

This paved path begins at Main Street and Rainbow Boulevard in downtown Niagara Falls, New York, and curls north along the river to Devil’s Hole State Park. Enjoy epic waterfront views and plenty of scenic places to stop and rest your legs.

Niagara Gorge Rim Trail

Length: 6.5 miles

Points of interest: Niagara Falls State Park, Devil’s Hole State Park, Whirlpool State Park

This Niagara bike path follows the upper ridge of the eastern side of the Niagara Gorge. Begin your journey on Goat Island, then cross the river and follow the trail as it hugs the gorge. Be sure to hop of your bike and follow one of the foot paths down into the gorge to experience the rushing waters from another vantage point.

Erie Canalway Trail

Length: 291.9 miles

Points of interest (in Niagara County): Erie Canal Discovery Center, Flight of Five locks

This epic trail — which will grow epic-er over the coming years, stretching to 360 miles in length — follows the Erie Canal in its entirety from Albany to Buffalo. In Niagara County, it rolls through scenic Lockport before dropping south towards North Tonawanda.

Kiwanis Park Trail

Length: 8 miles

Points of interest: Lewiston, Joseph Davis State Park, Old Fort Niagara

This trail starts in the historic Village of Lewiston and runs north to Youngstown, following the Niagara River until it meets mighty Lake Ontario. Stop and enjoy the views at Fort Niagara State Park, the trail’s terminus. On a clear day, you can peer out over Lake Ontario and catch a glimpse of Toronto, some 30 miles away.

Shoreline Trail

Length: 21.7 miles

Points of interest: Niawanda Park, Tonawanda’s Gateway Harbor Park, Canalside and Outer Harbor in downtown Buffalo

This is the western segment of the Erie Canalway Trail. It runs along the Niagara River until it meets Lake Erie and then follows the shoreline south to downtown Buffalo. Canalside is a fun waterfront destination — or a great starting point to a day’s ride north.

Take Advantage of the Discover Niagara Shuttle

The seasonal Discover Niagara Shuttle offers a bike rack for folks who want to go beyond the Falls, but maybe don’t want to ride their bikes the whole way. It runs during the high season (typically late May through early October) and makes stops in Lewiston, Youngstown, and Lockport, in addition to shuttling folks in and around Niagara Falls proper.

No Bike? No Problem.

Reddy Bikeshare offers an easy hop-on, hop-off service for bike rentals in Niagara Falls — you can pick up a bike in one location and drop it off in another. Reddy riders do need to be 18 years old, however; if you’ve got kiddos in tow, consider Sight See Rentals at Old Falls & Prospect streets.