Clarence Pathways Peanut Line, Clarence, NY

If you’re looking for creature comforts, this is the trail for you. The trail is paved from start to finish, has plenty of park benches for rest, and even several gazebos for rest or picnics.

Built on the New York Central’s Batavia Line, the Clarence Pathways Peanut Line Trail, AKA Town of Clarence Bike Trail, is a 7.2 miles point to point rail trail. The trail starts at Meadowlakes Park and ends at the Newstead-Akron Bike Path.trailhead The Town of Clarence has a useful map of this trail with lots of other handy information.

Local parks along the trail include Meadowlakes Park and Memorial Park Soccer Center.

Leave No Trace, Ten Essentials

While you’re enjoying the outdoors, please leave no trace to minimize your impact and preserve these special places for others to use as well. If you’re walking or hiking, please pack the REI ten essentials for your own safety. When cycling, consider using this REI checklist. For other activities, review the hiking and biking essentials and use your judgment.

Trail Surface

The trail is paved end to end and is in fairly good condition. There are lots of cross streets, all of which are level with the trail, no curbs. The trail is slightly higher than the Meadowlakes Park parking area but there is a ramp, no steps.

Please consider carefully whether this trail surface is suitable for your activity.

Restrooms

Public restrooms are available at Meadowlakes Park, Village Mill (Goodrich Road), and at the intersection with the Newstead-Akron Bike Path (portable toilets).

Points of Interest

There is an odd park bench that is twenty feet off the trail behind a row of trees. No doubt there’s some history behind this but I haven’t discovered it yet.

This stone marker dedicated to Ted Donner “for his dedication and years of service with the Town of Clarence 1995 - 2013,” is one of several memorial markers and park benches.

History

John G. Sheret writes in the Spring-Summer 2007 edition of:

January 1, 1853, proved to be an exciting day for the residents of Honeoye Falls when the first train of the newly built Canandaigua to Batavia Railroad arrived in the village. Large crowds turned out for the event and everyone was offered a free ride to Batavia and back.

By July 1st of that year the railroad was extended to Niagara Falls, and on July 28th, the first passenger train, operated as an excursion train, ran over the completed road. Historical accounts differ on whether the line was acquired by the New York Central Railroad in 1855 or 1857. In any event it became known as the “Peanut Line” after Dean Richmond, a company vice-president, referred to the acquisition as “only a peanut of a line.” The official New York Central designation for the line was the “Batavia Branch.”

Hiking Solo (and Running, etc.)

Solo hikers who find themselves able to do the whole point-to-point trail distance but not the out and back may consider using Uber or Lyft to get a ride from where they parked to the other trailhead. Then you can walk to your car from there. Since this trail is in a populated area, you won’t have long to wait for a ride. I’ve done this several times (on other trails) because I usually hike solo.

Trail Summary

Distance	7.2 miles point to point	14.4 miles out and back
Elevation gain	145 feet
Trail surface	Asphalt
Difficulty	Easy
Point of Interest	43.010794,-78.570617	Hide and seek park bench
Point of Interest	43.01289, -78.59663	Ted Donner Memorial Stone
Meadow Lakes Park parking and trailhead	43.016213, -78.675360	Plenty, not striped
Trailhead at Newstead-Akron Bike Path	43.004894, -78.534540	No parking

Maps

All Trails

Both free and premium All Trails accounts provide the capability to load and navigate this map. Tap/click the trail name on the map to enlarge. Scan the QR code to load the map into All Trails app on your smartphone.

Why have we chosen All Trails for maps for this site?