Newstead-Akron Bike Path, Newstead, NY

Variously called Newstead-Akron Bike Path, Akron-Newstead Bike Path, Town of Newstead Bike Path, Clarence Akron Pathway, and West Shore Line, this is a 5.2 mile fully paved rail trail. Do not confuse this with the West Shore Trail. This trail, Peanut Line Trail, Waterford Trail, and Spaulding Green Trail comprise the Clarence Pathways. In addition to Clarence, these trails go through Akron, Clarence Center, Lancaster, and East Amherst.

From Town of Newstead bike path information page:

The Akron-Newstead bike path provides a safe, scenic setting for bicycles, rollerblading, walking and running. The path begins in the Village of Akron at the intersection of Cedar St (Rt. 93) and Eckerson Avenue. It runs approximately 4.6 miles southwest along the old Westshore railroad line and passes through Jackson St, Hake Rd, Clarence Center Rd, Barnum Rd, and Davison Rd, continuing on into Clarence to Salt Rd.

The trail in the map below includes a half mile section in the town of Clarence Hollow to reach the larger parking lot on Salt Rd. You can also find a map on the Newstead Town website.

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 completely paved from start to finish. There are several intersections with streets but no curbs. The parking lot is a bit higher than the trail but there are no steps.

Restrooms

There is a portable toilet at the intersection (43.00482, -78.53495) with the Amherst Peanut Trail.

Points of Interest

This map and photo may be of interest to snowmobilers. I think the orange marker on the map signifies “you are here” (42.99206, -78.56216). The photo is the snowmobile trail leaving the intersection with the Newstead-Akron Bike Path. It looks better in the winter than after spring rains!

History

The trail follows a route of the West Shore Railroad. From Classic Trains:

In 1880 the New York, West Shore & Buffalo Railroad was formed to build a line from Jersey City to Albany and Buffalo, parallel to the New York Central. William Vanderbilt suspected (correctly) that the Pennsylvania Railroad was behind the project. The new road opened to Buffalo in 1884. A rate war ensued, bankrupting the West Shore.

It took J. P. Morgan to work a compromise between the NYC and the Pennsylvania: The Central would lease the West Shore, and the Pennsy would get the South Pennsylvania and its partially excavated tunnels. In 1885 the West Shore was reorganized as the West Shore Railroad, wholly owned by the NYC. …Most of the West Shore west of Albany has been abandoned.

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. Warning: this trail is in a less populated area. You may have to wait 15 minutes or more for a ride or you may not get a ride at all. I got stranded at a trailhead once and could not get back to my car at the other trailhead. Thankfully, it was close enough home that my wife picked me up. But I have done this successfully in more populated areas.

Trail Summary

Distance	5.2 miles point to point	10.4 miles out and back
Elevation gain	68 feet
Trail surface	Asphalt
Difficulty	Easy
Point of Interest	42.992058, -78.562163	Intersection with snowmobile trail
Salt Road parking and trailhead	42.98165, -78.58688	24 spaces + 2 handicap

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?