71 Hiking Trails Around Rochester

These hiking trails around Rochester are much less traveled than those in our park systems.

They are more secluded, rustic, and even in the best of times are excellent places to immerse yourself in nature.

Table of Contents

1. Waterside Trails
2. Rail Trails
3. Genesee Land Trust
4. DEC State Lands
5. More Inland Trails

Waterside Trails

1. Braddock Bay Marina
2. Genesee Riverway Trail
3. Butterfly Nature Trail
4. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
5. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
6. Historic Erie Canal Trails
7. Manchester Gateway
8. Seneca Meadows
9. Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk
10. Tifft Nature Preserve
11. Outer Harbor and Greenway
12. Sterling Nature Center
13. Bergen Swamp
14. Huckleberry Swamp
15. Whistlewood
16. Wolcott Falls Hiking Trail
17. Palmyra Wetland Nature Trail

Rail Trails

1. Pittsford Rail Trail Loop
2. Lehigh Valley Rail Trail
3. Keuka Outlet Trail and Preservation Area
4. Ontario Pathways Rail Trail
5. Erie-Attica Rail Trail
6. Genesee Valley Greenway Rail Trail
7. Auburn Rail Trail
8. Auburn-Fleming Rail Trail
9. Perinton Trolley
10. Cato-Fair Haven Rail Trail
11. Rochester, Syracuse and Eastern Rail Trail
12. Great Gorge Rail Trail
13. Hojack Trail

Genesee Land Trust

1. Christine Sevilla Wetlands Preserve
2. Corwall Preserve
3. Ganargua Creek Meadow Preserve
4. Gosnell Big Woods Preserve
5. Manitou Beach Preserve
6. Hipp Brook Preserve
7. Eva and Harlan Braman Preserve
8. Brookdale Preserve
9. Island Cottage Woods Preserve
10. Kraai Preserve
11. Salmon Creek Preserve

Other Preserves

1. Whiting Road Nature Preserve
2. Thousand Acre Swamp Preserve

DEC State Land

1. Rush Oak Openings Unique Area
2. Hemlock-Canadice State Forest
3. Rock City and McCarty Hill State Forest
4. Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
5. Sugar Hill State Forest
6. Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
7. Bare Hill Unique Area
8. Sonyea State Forest
9. Ossian State Forest
10. Rattlesnake Hill State Wildlife Management Area
11. High Tor Wildlife Management Area
12. Catharine Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area

More Inland Trails

1. Trail of Hope
2. Brickyard Trail
3. Finger Lakes Trail
4. Indian Hill
5. Beatty Point
6. Indian Fort Nature Preserve
7. Great Bear Recreation Area
8. Monkey Run
9. Domine Trail
10. Turtle Pond
11. Royal Coach Trails
12. Groveland Secondary
13. Baltimore Woods
14. Town of Lockport Nature Trails
15. Alasa Farms
16. Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm

Hike smart!

Check weather and trail conditions, regulations, and advisories before you travel. Have an alternative plan ready to ensure you can make the most of your time in the Adirondacks.

Know before you go: Before heading out on a hike, ask yourself this important question first: Am I prepared for any situation?

Run through a checklist of all gear, food, and clothing needed before leaving to be sure you have everything.

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 with you in case your hike takes longer than expected.

Cell phone batteries are unreliable and will more than likely die on your hike down when using it as a flashlight. They also tend to die more quickly in colder temperatures.

Carrying a paper map of your route along with notes of where junctions are, trail marker colors, and trail conditions will ensure you are always staying on the correct trail.  Cell phones are not reliable in the Adirondacks due to poor service.

Leave your trip plans including start time and expected time of return with someone in case your cell phone dies and you do not return on time.

This person should also know the emergency dispatch number and should know to call immediately if you do not return within your expected time frame.

Where are your favorite hiking trails around Rochester?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!