TWO RIVERS GREENWAY:
CHENANGO RIVER TRAIL:
OTSININGO PARK TRAILS:
ROUTE 434 GREENWAY:
VESTAL RAIL TRAIL:
CHUGNUT TRAIL:
BINGHAMTON-ENDICOTT-VESTAL, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: Sept 21, 2021
Length: Chenango River Trail; 1.8 miles
Otsiningo Park Trails; Riverside Trail; 2.5 miles
Otsiningo Park Trails; Inside Trail; 2.5 miles
Otsiningo Park Trails; Old Front Street Spur Trail; 0.3 miles
Route 434 Greenway; 0.3 miles currently
Vestal Rail Trail; 3.5 miles
Chugnut Trail; 0.7 miles currently
Difficulty: Chenango River Trail; Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Otsiningo Park Trails; Easy. Flat paved trails.
Route 434 Greenway; Easy. Flat paved trail.
Vestal Rail Trail; Easy. Flat paved rail trail.
Chugnut Trail; Easy. Flat, paved trail.
Directions:
To start from Conklin & Pennsylvania Aves [Southern End-Chenango River Trail & Route 434 Greenway]; From I-81/86 & Route 17 take exit 4S to Route 363 south. Exit to Route 434 south over the Susquehanna River. Take your first exit to Conklin Ave and turn left. Parking spots are located on the right, just before Pennsylvania Ave and the pedestrian bridge over the Susquehanna River (start of trail).
To start from Cheri Lindsey Park [Northern End-Chenango River Trail]; From I-81/86 & Route 17 take exit 4N to Route 363 north and immediately take your first exit to Bevier St (Route 145). Head left to Chenango St and turn left. Just after you pass below the interstate turn right on Truesdell St to the park. The trail runs along the river.
To start from Otsiningo Park [Southern End-Otsiningo Park Trails]; From I-81 take exit 5 to Front St (Route 11) and travel south (left). Turn left on Bevier St and the park entrance is on your left. The trail starts off Bevier St but parking is in the park
To start from Howell Drive parking lot [Northern End-Otsiningo Park Trails]; From I-81 take exit 5 to Front St (Route 11) and travel north (right). After passing under the interstate take your first right on Howell Dr and follow to the parking lot. Trail starts at end of road.
To start from the African Rd parking lot [Eastern End-Vestal Rail Trail]; From I-86 take exit 67S to Route 26 south to Route 434 (Vestal Pkwy). Turn right (east) along Route 434 and take your first left on African Rd. The parking lot is next to the Home Goods plaza on your left.
To start from the Stage Rd parking lot [Western End-Vestal Rail Trail]; From I-86 take exit 67S to Route 26 south to Route 434 (Vestal Pkwy). Turn left (west) along Route 434 and take your first right on N Main St, then a right on Stage Rd. Parking lot is on your right.
To start from the Riverview Drive parking lot [Eastern End-Chugnut Trail]; From the junction of Routes 17 & 26 in Vestal follow Route 26 north over the Susquehanna River. Take your first exit down to Route 17C (E Main St) and head right. Take an immediate right on Roosevelt Ave and follow to Riverview Dr. Turn right and the parking lot will be on your left.
The Chenango River Trail, also known as the Binghamton River Trail starts at Southside Park in Binghamton, crosses a pedestrian bridge over the Susquehanna River and travels north alongside the Chenango River (east bank) to Cheri Lindsey Park. A short on-road section takes you across the Chenango River to the Otsiningo Park Trails where you continue north alongside the Chenango River (west bank). In Otsiningo Park, bike and pedestrian paths are combined with picnic areas and athletic fields on a unique area of wooded riverbank. If you check out the Park Map you'll see that the trails are color coded and represent different sections in the park. For my route I divided the park into two sections; The Riverside Trail which follows alongside the river from Bevier St out to Howell Drive and the Inside Trail that travels along the inner park from Howell Drive back to Bevier St creating a nice long Loop. For more information visit; OTSININGO PARK . The Route 434 Greenway connects the southern end of the Chenango River Trail west parallel to Route 434 to Binghamton University. Currently under construction in 2021. Future plans call for continuing this trail west to connect to the Vestal Rail Trail in Vestal. The Vestal Rail Trail runs along the former rail bed of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Built in the 1880's this line ran from Binghamton to Buffalo. North, across the Susquehanna River you can connect to the Chugnut Trail, which utilizes part of the Susquehanna River Levee system in the town of Endicott. Currently under construction in 2021. For more information visit; BMTS; TWO RIVERS GREENWAY .
Chenango River Trail:
Starting from Conklin & Pennsylvania Aves; The Chenango River Trail starts at Conklin & Pennsylvania Aves, next to Southside Park and travels over the Susquehanna River via an iron pedestrian bridge (former Washington Street Bridge; Berlin Bridge Company 1885).
Note; This is also the start of the Route 434 Greenway. See Below.
A BIKE LANE travels down the center of the bridge. Three separate paths lead from the bridge when you reach the opposite side.
Note; Right takes you across N Shore Dr to a Map Board for on-road biking routes in the area.
Head left down to Confluence Park where you'll find some history on the Chenango Canal (this was the southern end of the 97 mile canal). Follow the paved trail right through the park to a tunnel underneath N Shore Dr. This will bring you to the Chenango River Promenade alongside the Chenango River. The trail travels above & alongside the river. At 0.3 miles the trail splits. You may take either trail.
Note; Left brings you down alongside the river for a bit before heading back up at a 0.5 miles by some granite terraces. If you continue straight underneath Court St the trail simply dead ends at 0.6 miles.
Heading right takes you above the river with access to downtown Binghamton. Nice period street lamps and benches along the trail. Pass by the ramp to the lower trail at 0.5 miles before coming to Court St. You'll need to head right (BIKE LANE) to access a cross-light over Court St and then back to the trail. Travel along a promenade with tree lined benches overlooking the river. When you reach E Clinton St after 0.9 miles the trail detours right to Water St. A cross-light takes you over E Clinton St to a trail alongside River St. You pass underneath two active RR bridges and by some beautiful old brick buildings before you come alongside the river again at 1.2 miles. Pass by some floodplains on your left and commercial/industrial along your right. You come to Cheri Lindsey Park parking lot at 1.8 miles where the paved trail currently ends.
Note; An easy on-road detour will bring you to the Otsiningo Park Trails from here. Continue straight along the hard packed dirt & grass trail underneath I-81/86 & Route 17 past two red gates and continue along a grass trail to Lockwood St. Head right to Chenango St and travel left on-road to Bevier St. Head left utilizing the BIKE LANE and cross over the Chenango River. This will bring you to the Otsiningo Park Trails trailhead and entrance to Otsiningo Park after less then 0.5 miles.
Otsiningo Park Trails:
Starting from Bevier Street; The paved Otsiningo Park Trails starts off of Bevier St next to the entrance and can also be accessed from the southern side of the street via a trail that travels underneath Bevier St.
Note; The 0.3 mile Old Front Street Spur Trail leads west from here across Front St (cross-light) to a pedestrian bridge over I-81 and out to Old Front St.
Enter the park along the Pond Loop Trail and pass by a spur trail on your right that takes you underneath and up to Bevier St. The trail splits ahead so bear right along my Riverside Trail Route. The Chenango River runs along your right as you travel through open mowed grass fields shaded by trees. Picnic tables are located throughout the park. Head past a small pond on your left before coming to an intersection at 0.4 miles for the Center Loop Trail. Keep right past a map board. Parking lots are located to the left. Come to an intersection after 0.7 miles for the River Trail and continue straight. Head straight past another intersection that bears left up to the park offices, restrooms and a pavilion. The trail now heads away from the main park and through some wooded flood plains. More isolated. When the trail splits you can head either way as it rejoins quickly. Here the trail utilizes an old road (New North Trail). Travel underneath I-88 at 1.7 miles. Porto-potty located here. This section of the park is narrow as you have the river along your right and I-81 up to your left. Pass by some soccer fields before coming to the Howell Drive parking lot at 2.5 miles. Restrooms and a Map Board are located here.
Starting from the Howell Drive parking lot; Follow my Riverside Trail Route along the closed road past the soccer fields and into the wooded flood plains along New North Trail. This section of the park is narrow as you have the river along your left and I-81 up to your right. Travel underneath I-88 where you leave the interstate behind. When the trail splits you can head either way as it rejoins quickly. Your now following the River Trail. Continue straight past a spur trail on the right that leads up to the park offices, restrooms and a pavilion at 1.6 miles before coming to a Y-intersection. Bear right. Your now following my Inside Trail Route along the Center Loop Trail. Cross the park road and into the center of the park. Parking lots and picnic tables are located along this section. You'll pass by a playground before crossing back over the park road and coming to a T-intersection. Head right along the Pond Loop Trail around the small pond. At your next intersection head right up to Bevier Street at 2.5 miles. A Loop of 5 miles total.
Route 434 Greenway:
Starting from Conklin & Pennsylvania Aves; I have not checked this trail out yet.
Note; This is also the start of the Chenango River Trail. See Above.
The Route 434 Greenway follows a double-wide sidewalk west along the south side of Pennsylvania Ave. Pennsylvania Ave quickly turns south as a bridge over Route 434. Across Route 434 the trail turns left off Pennsylvania Ave and becomes paved as it wraps left traveling underneath Pennsylvania Ave. It then heads through a tunnel under an on-ramp bringing you back alongside Pennsylvania Ave after 0.3 miles. The next 2.5 mile section of trail west to Murray Hill Rd by Binghamton University is currently under construction as of 2021.
Vestal Rail Trail:
Starting from the African Rd parking lot; A restroom and gazebo are located here. The wide, paved Vestal Rail Trail travels behind a commercial corridor on your left and a dike to your right. Willow Run is the stream on your left. Markers are painted every 1/4 mile on the pavement. You pass by a small playground with picnic tables and a pavilion on your right at 0.4 miles. The trail then parallels Route 434 for a bit and so can be a bit loud. At 0.9 miles you'll come to a sign board on your right.
Note; A 0.6 mile nature trail loops out around a marsh and then back to this trail further ahead. Walking trail, however, you can easily ride just 0.1 miles down the trail to a raised platform overlooking the marsh. Scenic.
Travel underneath Route 26 at 1.5 miles. Look for an historical marker describing a 1901 train wreck along this line on your right at 1.7 miles. The trail then travels through and around the old 1915 Rounds Coal House which has been moved to this site. It houses the Vestal Coal House Cafe.
Note; The old DL&W RR Depot, which now houses the VESTAL MUSEUM will be returning to a position close to its historic location by Summer 2022! The museum will be lifted and carried onto the Vestal Rail Trail and placed near the Coal House. Built in 1881, the DL&W RR Depot was abandoned after the 1960s and was then used as a warehouse until the town of Vestal purchased it for $201 to turn it into a museum. On a cold snow day in December 1972, the depot was moved to its current location, next to the library campus, where it underwent four years of restoration.
Come to the Stage Rd parking lot at 2 miles. Continue straight along Stage Rd out to N Main St to a cross-light. Head right underneath Route 17 where you'll pick up the paved trail on your left. The wide open trail travels below Route 17 then up and over a levee past a Fire Training facility. You the cross an iron bridge over Choconut Creek at 2.6 miles. You continue just below Route 17 before the trail ends at Castle Gardens Road parking lot at 3.5 miles.
Chugnut Trail:
Starting from the Riverview Drive parking lot; I have not checked this trail out yet. The paved Chugnut Trail travels west underneath the McKinley Ave Bridge and beside the Susquehanna River and follows the flood wall west for 0.7 miles before rising to the levee at Vestal Ave/Bridge St.
Note; The trail is currently being expanded (started Oct 2020) west through Mercereau Park along the Susquehanna River to Roundtop Park & Grippen Park. It will then turn north inland to the Route 17C Sports Complex. Lastly it will continue north to Glendale Park. Another section will continue west from Grippen Park to En-Joie Park at the confluence of Nanticoke Creek. Not sure of the whole timeline and phases.
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CLICK HERE FOR CHUGNUT TRAIL MAP
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