CLARENCE PATHWAYS:
WEST SHORE TRAILS:
PEANUT LINE TRAIL:
WATERFORD & NORTHWOODS TRAILS:
WEHRLE DRIVE RECREATIONAL TRAIL:
AKRON-AMHERST-CLARENCE-NEWSTEAD, NEW YORK
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Last Updated: December 29, 2024
Length: Peanut Line Trail; 10.4 miles
West Shore Trail; 8.7 miles
Wehrle Drive Recreational Trail; 1.1 to 1.2 miles
Waterford & Northwoods Trails; 2.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Wehrle Drive parking lot in Clarence for the West Shore Trail [Western End]; From I-90 take exit 49 to Route 78 and head left (north). Travel 0.6 miles and turn right on Wehrle Dr. Travel 2.5 miles to the parking lot on your left.
To Start from Meadowlakes Park in East Amherst for the Peanut Line Trail [Western Section]; From I-90 take exit 49 to Route 78 and head left (north). Travel 4.4 miles and turn right on Clarence Center Rd. Travel 1.1 miles to the park on your left.
Clarence Pathways consist of two old rail lines connecting at Akron Junction. The Peanut Line Trail follows the rail bed of the former NY Central RR Batavia Line, dubbed the "Peanut Line" for its short length, from East Amherst East, to Newstead. The West Shore Trail follows the rail bed of the former West Shore & Buffalo RR from Clarence Northeast, through Newstead and out to Akron. The two trails intersect in Newstead at Akron Junction. Unfortunately all the towns involved have separate Maps that only include their sections, along with different names. The Wehrle Drive Recreational Trail travels West, alongside Wehrle Dr, from the Western End of the West Shore Trail to Sunset Park. See; PEANUT LINE TRAIL . Check out; TRAIL LINK for a complete Map.
West Shore Trail:
Starting from the Wehrle Drive parking lot in Clarence for the West Shore Trail [Western End]; Map Board located here.
Note; The old rail bed continues Southwest, across Wehrle Dr, however, it has been swallowed up by the Wehrle Quarry. Instead, you can follow the paved Wehrle Drive Recreational Trail West, alongside Wehrle Drive to Sunset Park. I haven't checked out this trail. I believe it to be about 1.1 to 1.2 miles.
Green Mileage Markers every 0.1 miles. Heading Northeast, along the paved wooded corridor you'll cross Gunnville Rd and come to another Map Board at 0.9 miles. Map Boards at all road crossings. Cross Shisler Rd at 2.3 miles and continue straight on-road (low traffic) between Clarence Town Park before picking up the paved trail again at 2.7 miles. Cross an iron bridge over Ransom Rd before crossing Sawmill Rd and traveling past the Clarence Hollow Farmers Market parking lot out to Main St in Clarence. Head right along a wide sidewalk to a cross-light over Main St. Continue along Salt Rd via a wide sidewalk past an old 1810 stone building to the Salt Road parking lot at 3.5 miles where you'll pick up the paved trail again. Map Board. Trail more open here. Cross Davidson Rd where you'll enter the Newstead Section at 4.1 miles. I haven't checked out this next section. Trail continues Northeast, along a wooded corridor. Cross Barnum Rd at 5.6 miles and you'll come to Akron Junction at 6.6 miles. Map Board.
Note; This is where the Peanut Line Trail enters from the left, West. This trail utilizes Blue Mileage Markers every 0.1 miles. The old rail bed continued East, but has been developed and requires a detour utilizing the West Shore Trail.
Continuing Northeast, along both the West Shore Trail & Peanut Line Trail. Cross Clarence Center Rd 7.5 miles. Hake Rd and Jackson St at 8.3 miles before entering Akron where the trail ends at Cedar St after 8.7 miles.
Peanut Line Trail:
Proposed trail to close the Gap between the Ellicott Creek Trailway West, in Getzville and the Peanut Line Trail East, in East Amherst. See; Map Below.
Starting from Transit Road in East Amherst for the Peanut Line Trail [Western End]; Map Board located here and at all street crossings. Blue Mileage Markers every 0.1 miles. The paved Peanut Line Trail follows a residential corridor East, crossing several residential roads, before coming to an intersection at 1.2 miles next to a gazebo.
Note; Right leads to the Meadowlakes Park parking lot. Playground, sports fields and restrooms.
I haven't checked out this next section. Continuing East, cross over Stanley Rd, passing by the small Clarence Center Road parking lot at 1.7 miles. Cross Heise Rd at 2.3 miles. Small parking area.
Note; The paved Waterford Trail travels South, along a residential corridor. At 0.8 miles the trail continues alongside Dana Marie pkwy to Roll Rd at 1.3 miles. The paved Northwoods Trail continues South, for another mile to Greiner Rd. I haven't checked out either of these 2 trails.
Cross Clarence Center Rd before crossing a bridge over Ransom Creek at 2.6 miles. Goodrich Rd passing by the Railroad Street parking lot at 3.1 miles. Here the trail follows an open corridor past fields and woodlands. Cross Herr Rd then Kraus Rd where the trail travels alongside an access road for sports fields. Parking lots located here. Cross Strickler Rd, Salt Rd and Utley Rd at 6.7 miles as you enter Newstead. Cross Clarence Center Rd, Barnum Rd and you'll come to Akron Junction after 8.3 miles.
Note; This is where the West Shore Trail enters from the right, Southwest. This trail utilizes Green Mileage Markers every 0.1 miles.
The old rail bed continued East, but has been developed and requires a detour utilizing the West Shore Trail. Continuing left, Northeast, along both the West Shore Trail & Peanut Line Trail. Come to an intersection at 9 miles.
Note; The West Shore Trail continues straight, Northeast.
The Peanut Line Trail continues right, South. I haven't checked out this next section. This brings you back to the old rail bed where the trail continues East. Cross Cummings Rd at 9.6 miles where the trail travels between woods and fields before following a power line corridor out to Buell St at 10.4 miles and the end of the trail. I believe the Buell Street parking lot is located here. The old rail bed continues East, across the road in Akron, but is undeveloped. Not sure if there are plans to continue the trail East and connect to Akron Falls Park.
HH
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