Are you up for a new challenge?

Whether you are taking your first steps toward fitness or are an experienced athlete, set your sights on adventure and fun along the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail. Reach your one-of-a-kind, personal mileage goal – whether cycling, paddling, running, hiking, rolling, or walking – and discover all you can do along New York's canals!

Ready, Set, Go!

Participating is easy and free. Start on your adventure now!

1. SIGN UP

Choose your mileage goal and sign up. Better still, grab a friend to do it with you.

2. Track Your Miles

Use your favorite fitness app and your online Challenge log to record your miles.

3. Photo Finish

Upload a photo to earn your certificate, mileage magnet, and sticker.


Discover All You Can Do

Get the Scoop from Participants


Choose Your Mileage Goal

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Great for kids and families, as well as those looking for a new wellness challenge! Whether you're walking, cycling, or paddling, you'll quickly get the feel of the trail or waterway and build confidence to tackle more. You can do one big trip or several smaller ones to achieve your 15-mile goal.

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There are so many ways to get to 90 miles! Do a 3-mile run, 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Explore six different locations with 15-mile cycling trips. Or plan a long weekend with three 30-mile bike rides. Complete one 90-mile region at a time to achieve End-to-End status (360 miles).

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Paddlers should plan about two weeks of 12-mile days to complete 180 miles. Cyclists going 30 to 45 miles a day can complete 180 miles in four to six days. If you are walking or running, divide 180 by your weekly mileage to determine how long it will take to reach 180 miles.

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Join this exclusive club! The distinction of being an End-to-Ender is reserved for those who cycle, hike or paddle the entire distance (360 miles) from Buffalo to Albany (or Albany to Buffalo). Plan an extended trip or get there by checking off one 90 mile region at a time.

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People with disabilities and their family and friends are invited to participate. Begin by taking the 1st Mile Challenge.

If you have a mobility challenge, choose from 15 Peloton-style videos filmed on trails in central New York.


Rack up the Regions!

The Erie Canal and Canalway Trail are divided into distinct regions, each roughly 90 miles. Rack up all four regions to become a 360 End-to-Ender! Connecting canals offer more opportunities for adventure. You can count miles on any of these canals toward your Canalway Challenge total.

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NY Canal Map

Buffalo to Rochester

Calm water, flat trail, and rural landscapes connect charming towns in Western NY.

Highlights: Buffalo's Canalside and downtown architecture, Lockport's Flight of Five, lift bridges, canal villages, Holley Canal Falls

NY Canal Map

Rochester to Syracuse

Varied terrain on water and land joins picturesque scenery with vibrant cities.

Highlights: Schoen Place in Pittsford, Fairport, Historic Lock 60 Macedon, canal murals, Camillus Erie Canal Park, Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse

NY Canal Map

Syracuse to Little Falls

Tasty craft brews and ice cream await along the historical canal of the 1800s and today's canal route.

Highlights: Old Erie Canal State Park, Green Lakes State Park, Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Fort Stanwix National Monument, Canal Place in Little Falls

NY Canal Map

Little Falls to Albany

The Erie Canal merges with the Mohawk River in this scenic region rich in culture, arts and architecture.

Highlights: Herkimer Home SHS, Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, Schoharie Crossing SHS, Mohawk Valley Overlook Bridge, Cohoes Falls, Waterford Flight, Albany's Riverfront

NY Canal Map

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

Montezuma to Geneva, Cayuga and Seneca Lakes (92 miles) Famed for its wineries, wildlife, and beautiful lakes.

Highlights: Women's Rights National Historical Park, wine tours, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

NY Canal Map

Oswego Canal

Three Rivers to Oswego (23 miles) Short but sweet! Paddle the scenic Oswego to Lake Ontario.

Highlights: Great Bear Springs Recreation Area, Oswego Paddlefest, H. Lee White Marine Museum

NY Canal Map

Champlain Canal

Waterford to Whitehall (63 miles) Paddle or cycle a region steeped in American history.

Highlights: Saratoga National Historical Park, Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, Glens Falls Feeder Canal

NY Canal Map

Plan Your Trip

Use our Canalway Map to find great places to visit while racking up your Canalway Challenge miles.


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Share Your Journey

Show off special moments and inspire others to take the challenge! Join the Canalway Challenge Facebook Group and share on Instagram using the hashtag #CanalwayChallenge.


ERIE CANALWAY TOURISM SUPPORTERS

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Our work is made possible thanks to the generous and ongoing support of the National Park Service, New York State, foundations, corporations, and people like you. Click here to learn more about becoming a Tourism Sponsor.


PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS

Many organizations help to promote participation in the Canalway Challenge and ensure its success. Thank you!

Arkell Museum & Canajoharie Library
Brockport Welcome Center
Camillus Erie Canal Park & Canal Society
Capital District Triathlon Club
CDPHP
Champlain Canalway Trail Working Group
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
Chittenango Rotary Foundation /
Erie Canal Run
Corn Hill Navigation
Discover Albany
Discover Schenectady
DiscoverUpstateNY.com
Down by the River Kayak Rentals
Environmental Design & Research / Old Erie Canal Community Working Group
Erie Canal Boat Company
Erie Canal Discovery Center
Erie Canal Half
Erie Canal Museum

Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Friends of Great Bear, Oswego
Glens Falls Feeder Canal Alliance
Greater Rochester Track Club /
Genesee Valley Harriers
H. Lee White Marine Museum
Healthy Capital District Initiative
Hudson Crossing Park
Hudson River Greenway / Empire State Trail
Kayaking 4 Meso
Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park
Lockport Locks Heritage District
Lockport Visitor Center
Madison County Planning
Mohawk Towpath Byway
Mohawk Valley Villages /
Diefendorf Hall/Canal Store
Montgomery County Tourism

New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association / Northern NY Paddlers
NPS, Rivers Trails Conservation Assistance Program
NYS Canal Corporation
NYS DEC
NYS OPRHP
NYS Tourism Industry Alliance
Old Erie Canal Community Working Group
Oneida County Tourism
Orleans County Tourism
Oswego County Tourism
Oswego Expeditions
Our Ability, Inc.
Pacers
Parks & Trails New York
Port Byron Old Erie Canal Heritage Park
Rochester Accessible Adventures
Rochester Bicycling Club

Rome Historical Society / Old Erie Canal Community Working Group
Roser Communications Network
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
Seneca Falls Heritage Area Visitor Center
Spencerport Depot & Canal Museum
T. Spencer Knight Park / Visitor Center
Uncle G's Ice Cream
Upstate Kayak Rentals
Village of Phoenix
Visit Rochester
Visit Syracuse
Waterford Harbor Visitor Center
Wayne County Office of Tourism