New York

Everyone knows about boating the Erie Canal, the Western New York waterway that fell into disuse after the railroads came to town. But who knew you could run it? A relay team of 18 runners, known as the Frequent Flyers, earned the distinction of being the first to go the length of the canal—from Waterford to Niagara Falls—during the canal's 175th anniversary in 2000. But to do that, much of the 365-mile route must be made on roadways. So stick to the Erie Canalway Trail, which starts in Palmyra and runs to Orangeport. That 83-mile stretch is well suited for feet, bikes and skates, especially in and around Rochester."Clinton's Folly," as the canal was mockingly called when Gov. DeWitt Clinton conceived the idea, can be great fun. It also can be run in less than 57 hours, as the Flyers proved when they ran around the clock for three days.

Check out the Erie Canal's
mule trail, er, running track.

Trip Facts
When to go: AprilOctober
Difficulty rating: Moderate

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Select a New York Adventure

Classic Adventures Paddle the 1,000 Islands Bike the Finger Lakes Flyfish the Catskills Climb the Shawangunks Play Around Lake Placid

Off the Beaten Path Run the Erie Canal Surf Cast at Montauk Hike the North Country Trail Kayak New York City Raft North Country Whitewater

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New York Getaways - Visit the Empire State. Visit New England - Experience the magic of the Northeast outdoors. Biking the Mid-Atlantic - Explore the historic Mid-Atlantic states on bicycle.

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