CORNING RIVERFRONT TRAIL:
CORNING, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: March 15, 2024
Length: Corning Riverfront Trail; 2 mile Loop
Levee Trail; 2.1 miles
Difficulty: Corning Riverfront Trail; Easy. Flat paved, brick lined trail.
Levee Trail; Moderate; Flat grass trail.
Directions:
From I-86/Route 17 take exit 46 to Center Way south. Turn right into the Corning Museum of Glass Welcome Center parking lot.
The Corning Riverfront Trail begins at the Corning Museum of Glass Welcome Center in Corning, travels South and crosses a pedestrian bridge over the Chemung River to Centennial Park. Here the trail travels West alongside the river, before crossing a bridge North back over to the Levee Trail, which you can use to Loop back to the Corning Riverfront Trail.
Starting from the Corning Welcome Center parking lot [Northern End]; The Corning Riverfront Trail follows a double wide sidewalk South alongside Center Way. Follow the red stripe. Cross E Poultney St and bear right along a paved path (If biking I would follow the shuttle path as the other path is narrow and has pedestrians). This takes you past the CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS and across Museum Way. A wide paved trail continues past an old brick building to the Centerway pedestrian bridge over the Chemung River.
Note; The grass Levee Trail that runs atop the Levee, above the Chemung River, crosses here. Left takes you around to E Poultney St at 1.1 miles. More of a walking trail then biking. Right takes you past South Bridge St to Hillvue Park and William Street Park at 1 mile.
The bridge is full of planters, benches and informational signs. This brings you to the Southern Side of the Chemung River and Centennial Park at 0.6 miles. Travel left, East, around the Centennial Park Loop following a brick path past a pavilion and large water fountain. The trail then Loops West, back through a grove of sycamore trees, returning you to the Corning Riverfront Trail next to E Tioga Ave.
Note; Left, South, across the RR tracks brings you to Centerway Square, with its stone clock tower and tons of places to eat. Very vibrant Main St.
Note; You can check out the Corning Campus. Continue straight, West, along the brick lined path (various paths wind around the campus) through the Corning Campus, passing by the grand staircase at the entrance, then continue North around the building to the West Side, where you'll find the a sculpture of a glass blower. To your right is the old Thermometer Tube Draw Tower (informational sign). Continue around the building and you'll come to the paved Corning Riverfront Trail alongside the Chemung River. See Below.
After checking out Main St and Centerway Square head North, past the Corning Glass corporate building and back towards the Centerway pedestrian bridge. Just before the bridge you'll find a brick lined path that takes you left, West, between the river and the Corning Glass corporate building. This will bring you to the paved Corning Riverfront Trail alongside the Chemung River at about 1 mile. Continue West following the paved path along the river and you'll come to South Bridge St at 1.2 miles. Head right, North, over the bridge (separated path). You have two options from here.
You have 2 Options from here:
Option 1: Turn right, East and follow the grass Levee Trail back to the Centerway pedestrian bridge and return North along the Corning Riverfront Trail back to the Corning Welcome Center for an 2.1 mile Loop.
Option 2: Continue straight, North, on-road to Riverside Dr and head right, East, on-road (low traffic). Continue straight on Museum Way returning to the Corning Riverfront Trail off Center Way. Head left, North, past the Corning Museum of Glass returning to the Corning Welcome Center for an 2 mile Loop.
Note; A study is underway in 2024, to create the Chemung River Greenway, which will travel 20 miles from the Corning Riverfront Trail in Corning, East, connecting to the Big Flats Trail in Big Flats. It will then continue East to the Lackawanna Rail Trail in Elmira.
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