Erie Canal Towpath Eastern Section: Dewitt to Chittenango

Runners can enjoy many scenic miles of the Erie Canal Towpath in the Syracuse area. The lengthy multi-use path runs along the historic Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany. It’s popular with runners for its flat surface, water views, and historic sites. This interactive map is the best way to plot out your favorite section. The path in the area of downtown Syracuse isn’t all that pleasant or seamless, and there are a few miles of on-road section. Instead, we’ve mapped two sections in the Syracuse area: a 10.5-mile eastern route, from Dewitt (7 miles east of downtown Syracuse) to Chittenango Landing; and a 12-mile western route, from Camillus (7 miles west of downtown) to Jordan. Choose any section you like! On the interactive map, red is paved, purple is stone dust, and gray is on-road.

Start at Old Erie Canal State Historic Park at Cedar Bay in East Syracuse, and head east on the trail. The path is on the north side of the canal. The first 3 miles are paved, and then it’s stone dust. At 4.7 miles, reach Green Lakes State Park, where there is lovely trail running in woods and around two glacial lakes. At 6 miles is Kirkville, 8 miles is Poolsbrook State Park, and at 10.6 miles, Chittenango Landing, where there’s a Boat Museum. Our mapped route ends there, but you can continue further east along the canal path for many miles.