This view of the Genesee River middle falls in Letchworth Park, shows the Genesee Valley Canal clinging to the steep wall of the gorge in the 1860s. Click on the image for more information from Letchworthparkhistory.com.

This week’s hike will follow trail #7 in Letchworth Park.  Trail #7 is the portion of the Genesee Valley Greenway through the park. It is also the section of the Greenway with the most impressive relics of the Genesee Valley Canal.

Trail #7 starts at Oakland Rd about a mile outside of Nunda. Here we will walk next to the original locks that allowed boats to climb the hill to the River. The canal operated in this section between 1862 and 1878 and the right of way was sold to the Genesee valley Canal Railroad Company which built a railroad along much of the canal towpath.  As we walk next to the canal lock, the railroad took another route slightly north. In about a half mile, the canal path rejoins the rail path up to Short Track Road. A short detour on Williams Road will take us into Letchworth Park proper, where we can pick up the rail bed again. After crossing a seasonal section of River Rd, the trail continues for another two miles to the Parade Grounds where, in warmer weather, we will return for a picnic.

All hikers will meet at the Parade Grounds in Letchworth Park, and will carpool to the start of the hike at Oakland Rd. The Tourists will drop off a car at River Rd on the way, to allow them to ferry back to their cars.

The Naturalists will start from Oakland Rd, following the canal to the junction with the railbed. It is just over a mile to Short Tract Road, where the Naturalists will turn around and hike back to the cars, using the railbed route all of the way, for a two mile hike.

The Tourists will follow the same route to Short Tract Rd. There is a slight jog to the right to follow a detour along Williams Rd. When the road turns left, continue straight into the woods on the Genesee Valley Greenway. The next road is River Rd, also known as Trail #8, where the Tourists will turn left and follow the road south to their cars on NY 436..This hike will be about 3 miles total.

The Climbers will follow the Tourist route to River Rd, where it will continue on the Letchworth Branch of the FLT until we come to the Park Road. Turning left on the road will take us up to our cars at the Parade Ground parking area. Total hike: 4 miles.

Following the hike, we will gather at the Sunrise Restaurant in Dansville (188 Main St) for an optional social.

Directions Directions to the Parade Grounds inside Letchworth Park near the Portageville entrance.

From Springwater: Follow NY-15 South for 6.8 miles. Turn right onto I-390N. , take Ossian St (rt 36) west. In 6.2 miles, take the next exit (#4) for Dansville. Turn left onto NY-36 N and take the first left onto Jefferson St. At the end of Jefferson St, turn left on Ossian St.. Stay on Ossian St which becomes Rt 436.  Continue on 436 for 18 miles to the Parade Grounds Entrance to Letchworth.  Follow the Parade Grounds Road (a 90 degree right from Rt 436) into the park about 0.75 mile.  We will meet in the parking area on the left side of the Parade Grounds Road. (N 42° 35.013 W 078° 01.910)

The entrance to Letchworth Park from Rt 436

From Dansville: From Main St, take Ossian St (rt 36) west.  Stay on Ossian St which becomes Rt 436.  Continue on 436 for 18 miles to the Parade Grounds Entrance to Letchworth.  Follow the Parade Grounds Road (a 90 degree right from Rt 436) into the park about 0.75 mile.  We will meet in the parking area on the left side of the Parade Grounds Road. (N 42° 35.013 W 078° 01.910)

From Mt Morris: Take Rt 408 S on Chapel St for 11.1 miles to Nunda.  Turn Right on Rt 436 and proceed for 4.6 miles to the Parade Grounds Entrance to Letchworth.  Follow the Parade Grounds Road (a 90 degree right from Rt 436) into the park about 0.75 mile.  We will meet in the parking area on the left side of the Parade Grounds Road. (N 42° 35.013 W 078° 01.910)

Directions to the Sunrise Restaurant from Nunda: Take NY-436 East from Nunda. In Dansville, continue straight onto NY-36 Ossian St. At the light, turn left onto Main St. The restaurant is on the right side.