Trail Overview
This 8-mile Empire State Trail section starts at Buffalo Harbor State Park on the shore of Lake Erie, where there is ample free parking, visitor services, and a formal “Gateway” marking the beginning/end of the Empire State Trail. Street parking and visitor services are available in Buffalo at many locations a short distance off the trail. Please Note: The Shoreline Trail in this segment has been detoured due to a multi-year project in LaSalle Park. The route follows city streets north through downtown Buffalo, passing through the harbor area, and Canalside. North of Canalside, the trail is designated on the shoulders of public roadways including Niagara Street. North of the detour, the Shoreline Trail runs under the Peace Bridge (which provides a bicycle/pedestrian connection to Canada), and continues north for 2.5 miles alongside Niagara Street on a state-of-the-art protected cycle track. North of Hertel Avenue, the EST route follows the off-road Shoreline Trail, on the bank of the Niagara River.