SENECA LAKE WATERFRONT TRAIL:
GENEVA, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: August 2, 2015
Length: Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail; 2.6 miles
Long Loop; 5.5 miles.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved trail. Shared road through Seneca Lake SP. Long Loop not recommended for kids on bikes.
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 past the NY State Dept of Labor. Continue past their parking lot to a gravel parking lot. To your left is a tunnel underneath Route 20 where the trail begins. I'm not sure if the tunnel is open, I know there was construction at this site.
You can also park at Seneca Lake SP, however, there is a fee.
The Seneca Lake Waterfront Trail forms a Loop around Seneca Lake State Park and Lakefront Park at the northern tip of Seneca Lake. You can also connect to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail to the east. For more information visit; SENECA LAKE STATE PARK .
Starting from the Route 20 Tunnel [Western End]; I'm not sure if the tunnel is open, I know there was construction. If not then start from the Long Pier parking lot. Travel through the tunnel underneath Route 20 to an intersection of two paved trails. Start your Loop by heading right alongside Seneca Lake. Travel past a playground, the Long Pier parking lot and Long Pier. Travel past the Ramada Geneva Lakefront hotel and across Castle Creek where the trail turns to concrete. Travel past the Visitor Center, a band stand and a boat launch before coming to a map board at 0.6 miles. A wide paved trail continues east alongside the Lake. At 1 mile the trail shares Lake Rd (Park road) as you travel through Lakefront Park. Come to Park Rd on your left at 1.4 miles. This is the entrance road for Seneca Lake SP. Boats anchor just off the park, but a seawall separates you from the Lake. Picnic tables. At about 2.1 miles you continue straight along a 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. Pass another picnic pavilion and restrooms before arriving at the Cayuga-Seneca Canal at 2.6 miles. The State Park Marina is too your left. Across the canal is the Seneca Yacht Club. Retrace your route back to a traffic circle on your right. Just past this circle is a paved trail leading up to Park Rd.
Note; You may return the way you came or Loop back via park roads [Long Loop].
Long Loop:
Follow the paved trail right up to Park Rd, then head left 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 connection to Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail begins. I haven't checked out this new connection. See; Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail .
Continuing along Park Rd you travel away from the lake and alongside Route 20 with some tall reeds blocking your view of the highway. The road then turns back towards the Lake. Just before the Park Entrance Gate turn left rejoining Lake Rd at 4 miles. Head right retracing your route back to the paved trail. You quickly come to an intersection at about 4.5 miles where you head right along a paved trail witch travels alongside Route 20. Continue alongside Route 20 at all intersections. Travel past the Visitor center and across Lake St (Lakefront Park entrance). Cross E Castle St, pass the hotel and across the entrance to Long Pier. Return through the tunnel to complete a Loop of 5.5 miles.
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