Erie Canalway Trail (Lockport to Middleport)
- 12.0 mi
- one way
- 96 ft
- climb
- 588 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
The Erie Canalway Trail from Lockport to Middleport is an easy, point-to-point route of about 12 miles that starts just 0.2 miles from Lockport, New York. The trail runs from Lockport to Middleport, and the climb is gentle, with a total elevation gain of about 96 feet. The highest point on the route is 588 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.46 miles in, with a grade of about 4 percent. Bikes are allowed on this section, but horses are not, according to OpenStreetMap tags. The route is best suited to a day on foot or on a bike, and it pairs easily with other parts of the Erie Canalway Trail network. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Lockport show highs around 69°F in May and 74°F in September, with July peaking near 82°F. The Erie Canalway Trail (Amherst to Lockport) lies about 6 miles away and makes a natural extension for a longer outing.
Best time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Erie Canalway Trail (Lockport to Middleport)
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
33° / 18°
Feb
35° / 19°
Mar
44° / 26°
Apr
56° / 36°
May
69° / 48°
Jun
78° / 57°
Jul
82° / 61°
Aug
80° / 61°
Sep
74° / 54°
Oct
61° / 43°
Nov
49° / 34°
Dec
38° / 24°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lockport 4e, NY, 4.5 mi away at 610 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Erie Canalway Trail (Middleport to Albion)
~20 min drive
18.8-mile point-to-point trail from Middleport to Albion on the Erie Canalway.
Upper Canada Heritage Trail
~34 min drive
An out-and-back trail, 0.7 miles each way (1.3 miles round trip) in Ontario, Canada.
Photo: Mark Wordy, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Paisley Janvary-Pool Pathway
~35 min drive
A moderate 0.84-mile paved lollipop trail in New York that connects to multiple regional pathways for extended hiking opportunities.
HIKE
Bruce Trail - Niagara Section
~38 min drive
A demanding 49-mile point-to-point trail in New York's Niagara region, perfect for experienced hikers seeking a serious backcountry challenge.
North Tonawanda Canalway Trail
~20 min drive
Easy waterfront out-and-back walk along the historic Erie Canal.
Photo: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Erie Canalway Trail (Buffalo Harbor State Park to Hertel Avenue)
~41 min drive
7.98-mile point-to-point trail from Buffalo Harbor State Park to Hertel Avenue
Photo: jdmonin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Conservation Trail (FLT)
~27 min drive
3.44-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 21 ft elevation gain
HIKE
Erie Canalway Trail (Amherst to Lockport)
~10 min drive
7.24-mile point-to-point trail from Amherst to Lockport on the Erie Canalway in New York.
Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Blue Trail
~30 min drive
2.58-mile out-and-back hike in New York with 307 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Erie Canalway Trail (Hertel Avenue to Tonawanda)
~33 min drive
9.44-mile point-to-point trail on the Erie Canalway in New York.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors