Niagara Falls - Erie Canal 2025 #1

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

SC
Senior Cycling
  • Email address verified
14 reviews
Jul 20 - 25, 2025
Group size: 6 - 13
Niagara Falls - Erie Canal 2025 #1
Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Senior Cycling
  • Email address verified
14 reviews

Jul 20 - 25, 2025
Group size: 6 - 13

About this trip

Niagara Falls (consisting of Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls) is one of North America's Seven Natural Wonders and must be experienced  up close to be appreciated. The scenic Erie Canal, completed in 1825 to connect the Great Lakes to New York City via the Hudson River, is steeped in history.


Cycling the Erie Canalway Trail is on many peoples’ bucket list, for good reason! Over 4 more days of riding (after spending Day 1 taking in the splendor of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara State Park from our saddles), we'll explore the unique offerings of several canal villages and towns starting with Lockport and its famous Flight of Five historic locks, cycle through picturesque countryside, local farms and big open skies and get an up-close look at the structures used to operate the canal, including locks, lift bridges, and guard gates.


After two nights in our riverfront hotel in Niagara Falls, we'll spend 1 night in the village of Medina and two nights in Rochester, with Day 4 consisting of an out-and-back to Lake Ontario Beach State Park along the Genesee Riverway Trail.


On Friday we'll continue riding east as far as Palmyra before returning to Niagara Falls by van.

Since arrival in Niagara Falls will be around 5 pm, we're offering an OPTIONAL night's stay at the hotel we started from, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls


About 182 miles in 5 days of riding


Tour Leaders: TBDTour Leaders: Varies depending on dates

What about E-bikes?

Senior Cycling does NOT have E-bikes available for rent.  Of course, you are welcome to bring your own Class 1 (Pedal-assist only) E-bike on this tour.  


Difficulty rating of this tour:

Intermediate Plus. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most difficult, this tour is rated a 4. This tour’s routes include three days of riding the crushed stone and paved trail on the Erie Canal Trail, and paved paths in Niagara Falls and along the Niagara River on Day 1, and along the Genesee River Greenway on Day 4.  Days 1 and 3, with mileage of about 30 miles, include some moderate hills.  Day 2's mileage is about 45 miles, and Day 4's is nearly 50, although the support van is always available for those wishing to ride less. The routes are suitable for all bicycles. The Erie Canal Trail is a bit more level and generally easy riding, however, it is not paved.


Suggested tire size for this tour: 32mm and larger 

Cancellation Policy

Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.  


And, Please purchase trip insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen.  At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.

What’s included

  • 5 days of riding
  • Accommodations
    5 nights lodging
  • Tour leaders
    Experienced and cycling expert tour guides
  • Meals
    5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Full support
    Van/sag support including provisioned snack breaks (+ mechanical assistance and van ride, if needed)
  • Luggage Transportation
    1 carry-on sized suitcase + 1 daypack/other satchel
  • Post-ride
    Daily post-ride informal gathering with light snacks (fruit, cheese, crackers, chips, nuts etc.) and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Detailed Itinerary
    Turn-by-turn directions via free use of RideWithGPS app

What’s not included

  • Transportation
    You must make your own travel plans to/from Niagra Falls, NY
  • Alcohol with meals
  • Personal items/services
  • Gratuities for guides
  • Travel protection plan
    We highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance (not included with tour price) to protect against unexpected emergencies. Please see Travelinsurance.com
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel
    (if desired)
  • Bike rental
    (if needed)

Available Packages

Individual Rider
Deposit:$1,325
Available until May 20, 2025

Based on double occupancy

$2,650
Deposit:$1,325

Available options

Single Supplement
$575
8 left

 Cost to have your own room each night 

Bike Rental
$150

Our bikes are well-maintained hybrid style, upright posture, most are Trek FX2 or Verve 2-3 models. Helmet, pannier and cable lock included. 

Extra night before the tour
$175
Available until May 20, 2025

An extra night before the tour starts at our group rate, including tax. (Standard room)

Extra night after the Tour
$175
Available until May 20, 2025

An extra night at the at the conclusion of the tour at our group rate, including tax. (Standard room)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival in Niagra Falls, NY - Welcome Meetup & Cocktail Social

We'll meet at 5:00 pm at our hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls to introduce ourselves and discuss what the week of cycling will look like.  Then we'll walk over to the century old Red Coach Inn, the city's most distinctive historic structure, for our evening meal in the Restaurant.  

Your Organizer


SC
Senior Cycling
14 reviews
Senior Cycling provides active vacation multi-day bicycling tours, averaging 25-35 miles/day, primarily on Rail-Trails, for folks 50+ in scenic, interesting and fun locations around the United States and Canada

Reviews

I could have done longer days. But then I'd probably not have enjoyed it as much. Distance is nice for training but not when you want to gawk. Some of the night arrangements were so full of character. Not your normal boring hotel. The company (other riders and leaders) was enjoyable and added to the enjoyable atmosphere. The leaders adjusted to circumstances. The most notable was lunch at Pilot Grove. The eatery closed early for the season due to the birth of a grandchild. While other groups without a leader ended up doing roller food, Jack got food elsewhere and we had a nice picnic. I intended to do a self-contained ride but my wife was hesitant to that plan. I hope to repeat the KATY next year with Senior Cycle but this time with my wife. She can handle the pace, probably on an e-bike though.
By Wrede B for Best of the Katy Trail on Oct 29, 2024
Thank you Wrede! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much that you'd like to do it again, next time with your wife! No problem accommodating an E-bike for her. And yes Jack is a wonderfully experienced, unflappable and resourceful Tour leader! - Ned
By Senior Cycling on Oct 29, 2024
SC
Trip was a lot of fun, very nice accommodations at every stop. Excellent establishment choices for the provided meals. May have been overly optimistic for a picnic right of Lake Ontario in October. The wind was brutal and chilly. A week of excellent upper NY diners. A great trip and highly recommended. Nick and Michael are excellent guides!
By Gary J for Niagara Falls-Erie Canal #2 on Oct 21, 2024
Upstate New York is beautiful. The Niagara Falls area is full of spectacular vistas. It is truly amazing. Our guides had local knowledge that was interesting and informative, especially where Toronto, Canada was located (inside joke). Everyone was friendly and eager to share. I highly recommend this trip.
By Rebecca M for Niagara Falls-Erie Canal #2 on Oct 14, 2024
Wonderful people, great experience.
By Neil A for Cape Cod 2024 #2 on Oct 08, 2024
Thank you Neil, we look forward to having you back!
By Senior Cycling on Oct 09, 2024
SC
The leaders, Mike & Ned were fabulous. Understanding, accommodating and knowledgeable. The hotels we stayed in were lovely and the restaurants chosen for lunches & dinners were excellent. I was not as prepared as I should have been for the miles in the saddle everyday, but there was no problem taking the van when I was done for the day.
By Pamela D for Cape Cod 2024 #2 on Sep 30, 2024
Thank you Pamela, we're so glad you enjoyed everything!
By Senior Cycling on Oct 09, 2024
SC
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