Less traveled than in our parks, these hiking trails around Rochester offer a secluded and rustic area to immerse yourself in nature. One of the best ways to discover new trails in your area is to follow and join a local friend’s group, like:
- Crescent Trails Association
- Finger Lakes Trail Conference
- Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway
- Friends of Webster Trails
- Ontario Pathways
- Parks & Trails New York
- Penfield Trails Committee
- Trail Works Inc.
- TrailsROC
- Victor Hiking Trails
Are you looking for a group to hike with? Check out the Genesee Valley Hiking Club! You can also use the AllTrails App to find more trails near you.
Waterside Trails
Waterside Trails
Monroe County
- Bird Sanctuary Trail Webster
- Braddock Bay Marina Greece
- Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park Webster
- Finn Park Nature Trail Webster
- Four Mile Creek Preserve Webster
- Genesee Riverway Trail (GRT) Rochester
- Historic Erie Canal Trails Pittsford
- State Road Nature Preserve Webster
- Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk Fairport
- Thousand Acre Swamp Preserve Penfield
Greater Rochester
- Bergen Swamp Bergen
- Butterfly Nature Trail Macedon
- Huckleberry Swamp North Rose
- Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Basom
- Manchester Gateway Manchester
- Palmyra Wetland Nature Trail Palmyra
- Whistlewood Huron
- Wolcott Falls Hiking Trail Wolcott
Surrounding Counties
- Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca Falls
- Outer Harbor and Greenway Buffalo
- Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve Seneca Falls
- Sterling Nature Center Sterling
- Tifft Nature Preserve Buffalo
Rail Trails
Rail Trails
Monroe County
- Genesee Valley Greenway State Park Chili, Scottsville
- Hojack Trail Webster
- Lehigh Valley Trail Mendon, Rush, Henrietta
- Rochester, Syracuse, and Eastern Trail (Perinton Trolley Trail) Fairport
- Pittsford Rail Trail Loop Pittsford
Greater Rochester
- Auburn Rail Trail Victor
- Erie-Attica Rail Trail Avon
- Genesee Valley Greenway State Park Caledonia, Geneseo, Mount Morris
- Keuka Outlet Trail and Preservation Area Penn Yan
- Ontario Pathways Rail Trail Canandaigua, Newark
Surrounding Counties
- Auburn-Fleming Rail Trail Auburn
- Cato-Fair Haven Rail Trail Fair Haven
- Great Gorge Rail Trail Niagara Falls
Genesee Land Trust
Genesee Land Trust
Monroe County
- Brookdale Preserve Chili
- Eva and Harlan Braman Preserve Webster
- Gosnell Big Woods Preserve Webster
- Hipp Brook Preserve Penfield
- Irene Gossin Nature Preserve Penfield
- Manitou Beach Preserve Greece
Greater Rochester
- Christine Sevilla Wetlands Preserve Caledonia
- Cornwall Preserve Williamson
- Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve Macedon
- Kraai Preserve Arcadia
- Macyville Woods Nature Preserve Sodus Point
- Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm Arcadia
DEC State Land
DEC State Land
Monroe County
Greater Rochester
- Bare Hill Unique Area Gorham, Middlesex
- Hemlock-Canadice State Forest; Rob’s Trail Livonia, Conesus, Springwater, Richmond, Canadice
- High Tor Wildlife Management Area Naples, Italy, Middlesex
- Ossian State Forest Ossian
- Rattlesnake Hill State Wildlife Management Area Nunda, Ossian, Grove
- Sonyea State Forest Groveland, West Sparta, Mount Morris
- Turtle Pond Savanah
Surrounding Counties
- Catharine Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area Montour
- Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Depew
- Rock City and McCarty Hill State Forest Mansfield, Little Valley, Ellicottville, Great Valley
- Sugar Hill State Forest Orange, Tyrone, Reading, Dix
- Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area Otto, Persia, Collins
Additional Trails
Even More Trails!
Monroe County
- Beatty Point Greece
- Brickyard Trail Brighton
- Chiyoda Trail Webster
- Herman Road Forever Wild Forest Webster
- Hickory Bark Trail Webster
- Indian Hill Perinton
- John Ungar & Michael A. Johnson Trails Webster
- Midnight Trail Webster
- Royal Coach Trails Pittsford
- Sherwood Field Penfield
- Vosburg Hollow Nature Trail Webster
- Whiting Road Nature Preserve Webster
Greater Rochester
- Alasa Farms Sodus
- Domine Trail Victor
- Groveland Secondary Groveland
- Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area Springwater
- Hickory Ridge Preserve Naples
- Indian Fort Nature Preserve Geneseo
- Monkey Run Victor
- Trail of Hope Lyons
Surrounding Counties
- Baltimore Woods Marcellus
- Finger Lakes Trail
- Great Bear Recreation Area Phoenix
- Town of Lockport Nature Trails Lockport
Hike smart!
Before you travel, check weather and trail conditions, regulations, and advisories. Does the weather look clear for my hike, or is there a chance of rain, thunderstorms, snow, wind, hail, etc.?
When does the sun set? Always bring a headlamp and extra batteries if your hike takes longer than expected.
Cell phone batteries are unreliable and will likely die on your hike down if you use them as flashlights or capture numerous photos and videos. They also tend to drain quickly in colder temperatures.
Carrying a paper map of your route, notes of junction locations, trail marker colors, and trail conditions will ensure you always stay on the correct trail. Cell phones are not reliable in remote areas due to poor service.
Communicate your trip plans with someone, including the start and expected return times. This person should also know the emergency dispatch number and call immediately if you do not return within your scheduled time frame.
To ensure you have everything, check a checklist of all gear, food, and clothing needed before leaving.
Google Map of Locations
Explore More
Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
50 New York State Parks Within a Two-Hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them unique.
Gorge trails call out from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. If you haven’t already, start checking these spectacular trails off your list.
22 Fabulous Fall Hikes in Monroe County
My favorite fall hikes offer a variety of landscapes and scenic views, including rivers, forests, and peaceful surroundings.
This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Easy Day Hikes Rochester
by Randi Minetor
Best Easy Day Hikes Buffalo
by Randi Minetor
Best Easy Day Hikes Syracuse
by Randi Minetor
Take a Hike: Family Walks in the Rochester Area
by Rich and Sue Freeman
Where are your favorite hiking trails around Rochester?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Help Support My Work
People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.
I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
