SENECA LAKE WATERFRONT TRAIL:
GENEVA, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: November 20, 2024
Length: Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail; 2.6 miles.
Route 20 Trail; Western Side; 0.5 miles.
Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side; 0.9 miles.
Loop Trail; 5.5 mile Loop.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved trails. Shared road through Eastern Side of park.
Directions:
Starting from the Western End; From the junction of Routes 14 & 20 in Geneva head east on Route 20 to Elizabeth Blackwell St. You can either turn right into the Long Pier parking lot or turn left on Elizabeth Blackwell St, then left on Solar Dr to the NY State Dept of Labor parking lot. Just past this parking lot, a cement trail leads to the Route 20 tunnel and trailhead.
You can also park at Seneca Lake SP, however, there is a fee.
The Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail travels alongside Seneca Lake State Park and Lakefront Park. The Route 20 Trail; Eastern & Western Sides travels alongside Route 20. I've combined these trails, along with some low traffic, park roads to create a Loop. You can also connect to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail , which starts from the Eastern End of Seneca Lake State Park . For more information visit; SENECA LAKE STATE PARK .
Starting from the Route 20 Tunnel [Western End];
Note; The paved Route 20 Trail; Western Side also begins here. This trail travels North, along the Western Side of Route 20, for 0.5 miles to Lake St. You can then cross over Route 20 and connect to the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side.
Travel through the Route 20 Tunnel to an intersection of two trails. The 1st paved trail on your left is the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side. I Looped back via this trail. The 2nd cement trail is the Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail.
Note; To your right is a hard packed dirt trail that travels South, before ending at, I believe Jennings Beach after 0.1 miles. I have not checked out this trail.
Heading North, along the wide, cement Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail, you travel alongside Seneca Lake. Travel past a playground, the Long Pier parking lot and Long Pier, docks and a Lakefront hotel.
Note; A trail on your left leads out to the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side.
Cross Castle Creek, pass by a cement pier and the Finger lakes Welcome Center parking lot, before coming to the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. Another playground, band stand and Map Board at 0.6 miles. Here the trail is paved as it turns East, alongside the Lake. Open grass & tree expanses. At 1 mile the trail shares Lake Rd (low traffic) as you travel through Lakefront Park. Picnic tables. At 2.1 miles the road turns left. Continue straight along the paved trail, past a picnic shelter and playground. Bear right at any intersection, keeping along the Lake. Travel past a beach, Splayground and refreshment stand. The trail turns South, passing another picnic pavilion, restrooms and a *Traffic Circle, before arriving at the Cayuga-Seneca Canal at 2.6 miles. The State Park Marina is to your left. Across the Canal is the Seneca Yacht Club. Retrace your route back to the *Traffic Circle on your right. Just past this *Traffic Circle is a paved trail leading up to Park Rd.
Note; You may return the way you came or Loop back via Park Rd (low traffic) and the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side.
Follow the paved trail right up to Park Rd, then head left, North, along Park Rd and out past a dock along an inlet.
Note; You'll pass by a Service Rd on your right, opposite the Park office on your left. This is where the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail begins.
Continuing along Park Rd you travel away from the lake and West, alongside Route 20, with some tall reeds blocking your view of the highway. Park Rd then turns back towards the Lake, bringing you back to the junction with Lake Rd at 4 miles. Retrace your route West, along Lake Rd, back to the paved trail. You quickly come to an intersection at about 4.5 miles, where you head right, inland along a paved trail out to Route 20. Here, you'll follow the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side, Southwest, alongside Route 20. Pass by the Finger Lakes Welcome Center and come to lake Rd.
From here you have 2 Options:
1. Continue along the Route 20 Trail; Eastern Side, returning to the Route 20 Tunnel after a 5.5 mile Loop.
2. Cross Route 20 and continue left, Southwest, along the Route 20 Trail; Western Side, returning to the Route 20 Tunnel after a 5.5 mile Loop.
HH
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT