Note: This article was originally published on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 4:41 in the morning and has been updated.
The Empire State Trail is officially complete, as it spans approximately 750 miles along three main sections throughout the state of New York: the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail; the Champlain Valley Trail; and the Erie Canalway Trail.
Walk From New York to Canada With Empire State Trail
When he was governor of the state of New York in 2017, Andrew Cuomo launched the Empire State Trail to promote outdoor recreation, encourage healthy lifestyles, support community vitality, and bolster economic development related to tourism. The final plan document for the Empire State Trail was officially released in June of 2018; and it contains more details and information pertaining to the Empire State Trail — as well as the official design guide of the Empire State Trail.
Facilities which are located along the Empire State Trail — which vacillates between being on existing roads or along its own paved trails, as indicated by this interactive map — include parking, washrooms with toilets, campgrounds, attractions, and train stations.
Activities which can be done — either on the trail or near the trail — include but are not limited to:
- Walking
- Bicycling
- Winter Activities
- Picnicking
- Camping
- Overnight Lodging
- Cultural Activities
- Breweries and Wineries
- Horse Riding
The Three Main Sections of Trails
The three main sections throughout the state of New York include the:
- Hudson Valley Greenway Trail — This trail extends between New York and Albany via Poughkeepsie, from The Battery in Manhattan to the capital city of the state of New York.
- Champlain Valley Trail — This trail extends between Albany and Rouses Point via Watervliet and Whitehall. Rouses Point is just south of the border which the United States shares with Canada.
- Erie Canalway Trail — This trail extends along the Erie Canal between Buffalo and Watervliet via Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica. Watervliet is located north of Albany.
Final Boarding Call
Keep in mind that the Empire State Trail is technically open between dawn and dusk, as with few exceptions — such as in lower Manhattan — no lighting exists along the trail for night time. Pets are allowed on most trail segments — but they must be kept under control and on a leash at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets while on the trail.
The Empire State Trail is projected to be used by approximately 8.6 million users every year. I became one of those users earlier this year — but only on a very small portion of the trail in lower Manhattan…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
