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Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway
One of 14 Scenic Byways of the Adirondack North Country
For more to do and see, visit the official Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway
The 25-mile Mohawk Towpath Byway runs from Waterford to the historic Stockade District of Schenectady. The rich past and present of the Mohawk River, Erie Canal and towns along the way make this a great drive. Diverse wildlife habitats, classic architecture and beautiful vistas are sprinkled along the corridor. Cycling, hiking, and boating are just a few of the activities that center around the River.
The Mohawk River provided a transportation route for the earliest settlers, thus the first settlements, like the Native American villages that preceded them, were along the water route. The Erie Canal enabled settlers to travel west to the Great Lakes and opened up the Mid-West to settlement. The canal also allowed the farmers in the west to ship produce to the industrial northeast; in turn, the cities of the northeast could ship manufactured goods to the west.
- Waterford - The best access to Lock 2 of the Erie Canal is at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, and now, just to the east, Pebbles Island State Park is accessible via the rail bridge. Explore Waterford's past at the
Waterford Historical Museum,
518-238-0809, or visit the library, since 1994 housed in the historic train depot. This village is the oldest continuously incorporated village in the United States.
- Cohoes- The Mohawk River at Cohoes Falls drops approximately 170 feet before emptying into the Hudson. From Overlook Park, see the falls that created the need for the Erie Canal. Visit the Harmony Mills Historic District - renovation in progress through August 2004. Cohoes' storied past is treasured by the Spindle City Historical Society, 518-237-7999.
- Colonie - Follow the old Erie Canal north into the Town of Colonie where, from Freddie's Park, a popular fishing spot, Lock 6 is less than two miles away by paddle, or go upstream and explore around the islands and backwaters.
- Halfmoon - The Byway crosses the Mohawk River into Crescent (Town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County) near the longest aqueduct on the Erie Canal and turns west on the original Erie Canal (now Canal Road).
- Clifton Park - Follow the Riverview Road through Vischer Ferry to Rexford. Visit the Vischer's Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, on the Mohawk River for fishing and nature walks. Open year-round sunrise to sunset. The self guided 15 mile Rexford Ramble features several historical sites of the Byway (map and narrative at Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway). Explore nearby trails and bikeways with the Saratoga County Heritage Trails Committee or Friends of the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail.
- Niskayuna - The focus of the field guide "Along the Bike Hike Trail: A Guide to the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway Schenectady County Section" is on the natural history ... - the flora and fauna that can be observed ... and highlights of human history. Stop any weekday and request a copy ($8.99) at the ECOS offices on Aqueduct Road just west of the Rexford Bridge (Rte. 146). While there, visit the River and Canal from the park at the rear of the building.
- Schenectady - The Aqueduct Road follows the Erie Canal into the Stockade Historic District of the city of Schenectady. One of the oldest and most historic walking tours in upstate New York, the third Saturday of September annual Stockade Walkabout tours the insides of some of the finest examples of 18th and 19th century architecture. Call The Schenectady County Historical Society for tickets, 518.377.9430. The Gateway Landing-Rotary Park is located in the Town of Rotterdam along the Mohawk River, immediately west of the City of Schenectady's Historic Stockade area. This park provides dock space for small boats, car top boat access to the river, fishing opportunities and an important link to the river front along with a connection to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail.
Find additional visitor information on available services, food, accommodations, events, etc. at the following websites;
Capital-Saratoga
Saratoga County Chamber
Schenectady County Chamber
Explore the Erie Canal's story at
New York State Canal Corporation and/or New York Parks & Conservation Association
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Scenic Byway signage in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks
is brown with yellow lettering.
Outside the parks Scenic Byway signage
is blue with white lettering.
Art, Crafts and Foods
Along the Scenic Byways
of the Adirondack North Country
Includes map of region
with highlighted Scenic Byways
Map of Region, by quadrant: NW, NE, SE, SW
Google Map of Region
Map of Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway
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