Seneca Trail - VHT

The Seneca Trail is our most varied trail. A footpath for most of its length, it has hills to climb with long vistas, low-land boardwalks, bridges, and fords. (And, in wet conditions, some muddy spots!) It is named for the Seneca Indians who had a main trail from Bare Hill by Canandaigua Lake through Ganondagan to Irondequoit Bay at least paralleling our trail.

From North to South

High St. Valentown to High St. Firehouse

This is the newest extension to the Seneca Trail. As of May '11, it has been cleared (mostly), but not yet finished. Still missing is a bridge, you must ford a small stream, and a switchback on a hillside. This section should be made fully usable in Summer '11. We are in discussions for the trail to continue across the Valentown property and connect with the High Point trail system and eventually with Perinton's Crescent Trail system.

The trail begins at the traffic signal light on High St. by Valentown. It continues down the driveway to the pump station and goes through the woods and along the small stream toward NY96. It then crosses the stream (May '11 as a ford, soon to be a bridge) and up the hillside. For a short way it parallels NY96 on the wide grass shoulder, then turns into the woods as it passes behind the small strip mall. At the south end of the mall, it turns to the east and follows the utility corridor meadow almost to Fishers Firehouse #2.

High St. Firehouse to Willowbrook Rd.

Parking is available behind Fishers Firehouse #2 on High St., just south of Valentown Hall. The trail then continues south with some up and down. It is grass surface and mostly 4-foot wide. After a long climb it opens into meadow with views to of the Irondequoit Valley and on to the city of Rochester skyline in the north and rolling hills to the south. After entering a wood and topping the hill, the trail winds down to Willowbrook Rd.

Willowbrook Rd. and the NYS Thruway

The trail passes under the Thruway with the single lane Willowbrook Rd. Walk to the left, facing traffic.

Willowbrook Rd. to Victor Pittsford Rd (96)

The trail is mostly grass surface and 2- to 6-feet wide. There are two step-over fords in this section. The trail parallels the Thruway and climbs to another open meadow. Again there are some long vistas. Then in a wooded section, it passes through a valley believed to have been the site where Senecas ambushed the invading French Army under the Marquis de Denonville in July 1687.

Victor Pittsford Rd (NY 96) to Golf Driving Range

This is the roadside of the Victor Mendon Rd (NY 251).

The Lehigh Trail goes west into Lehigh Crossing Park, just across NY 251.

Golf Driving Range to Auburn Trail

This section is lowland meadow, woods, and swamp. The trail surface is grass, dirt, boardwalk, and (after wet weather) can be muddy in places. It crosses streams on bridges several places. A part of it is shared with the

Typical Seneca Trail

In May '11 about 500-feet of boardwalk were constructed through the wettest areas in this section by VHT volunteers with help from the Victor High School Track Team.

Along Auburn trail to School St.

Crosses Rawson Rd.

This is full multi-use trail.

School St north to Dryer Rd

Here the trail is again foot-path on dirt and grass surfaced. Mostly meadow in this section. There is one short steep section with a sharp, narrow turn at the bottom where it crosses Great Brook. This can be slippery in wet conditions. The bridge over Great Brook has been known to wash out in spring flood. The Seneca Trail crosses Dryer Rd and continues south.

Dryer Rd to Victor-Bloomfield Rd (NY444) and Ganondagan

This dirt and grass surfaced trail is 2- to 3-feet wide through woods. It is over hills.

Ganondagan State Historical Park

The trail is on rolling hills in meadow and woods. It has a grass surface with some boardwalk. Due to springs, it can be muddy in places. It is generally 4-foot wide. There are several connections with State Park Trails. The Seneca Trail follows the purple blazed Purple Park trail south through woods along the Brook. It cross the Brook at a ford or plank and on out to School Rd. (Aug. '10: VHT has received a grant from L.L. Bean for half of the funds for a bridge here. It will be built in conjunction with the Park, and the Friends of Ganondagan.)

School Rd to Boughton Hill Rd.

The Seneca Trail crosses School Rd. Here the blue blazed trail to Fort Hill and Dryer Rd. Park goes straight west. The Seneca Trail turns along the roadside of School Rd. and then west on Boughton Hill Rd. to the first driveway to the south.

Boughton Hill Rd. to Great Brook Bridge

There is parking off of Boughton Hill Rd. The trail begins along the “farm driveway.” It then enters meadow and woodland. The surface is grass and dirt. This section parallels the Brook for a way and is one of the prettiest trail sections.

Great Brook Bridge to Victor-Bloomfield Rd (444) and The Apple Farm

The bridge was constructed in the summer of '07. The Apple Farm Trail continues as the yellow-blazed to The Apple Farm, its Store, and parking lot on the Victor-Bloomfield Rd (NY444). This is wide farm driveway through meadows and orchards, with a surface mostly of grass. See the description for the Apple Farm Trail.

The Apple Farm to Bloomfield Rd and Boughton Park

Caution: This section may be shared with equestrians. Horses have the right of way. If you approach from the rear, be sure to make “human” noises soon enough not to scare the horse or rider.

Caution: This is also private hunting grounds. The trail is CLOSED in the fall and spring hunting seasons for your safety and at the landowner's request. See http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/65231.html for current hunting season information.

Caution: There are also several private trails intersecting. Please stay on the marked Seneca Trail and respect the landowners rights. It is the landowners continuing cooperation that makes it possible to have a publicly accessible trail.

There is no public access to, or parking for, the trail from Cherry St.

The Seneca trail continues through active farms, woods, and meadows.

There is a temporary narrow plank bridge at Great Brook. A permanent bridge is in the planning phase.

The trail connects with the trail system in Boughton Park. Just into the park, the Seneca Trail turns south at a junction of park Trails. The red blazes mark the way. Also at this junction is the blue blazed spur trail that goes to the Sternie Rd. parking lot on the west side of the park. The only other place of potential confusion is at the top of the dam where the Seneca Trail makes a U-turn while a park trail continues straight ahead.

The Seneca Trail continues down the east side of East Pond to the Boughton Rd. parking lot.

Boughton Park parking in both lots is restricted to residents and tax payers of the towns of Victor, East Bloomfield, and West Bloomfield. Parking permits are REQUIRED and available at the three town halls. Tickets are issued and/or cars are towed.

Plans

Permanent bridges are needed in Ganondagan and just north of Boughton Parks. We are planning to extend the Seneca Trail north to High Point trail system. And from there to some day connect with Perinton's Crescent Trail system. Way out dream: That VHT's Seneca trail be part of a network of trails from Irondequoit Bay all they way to the Finger Lakes Trail system. The FLT currently has a branch that comes up to the Bristol Hills.

Elevations and Distances

Caution: Elevations are from USGS. They are very precise, but not necessarily accurate. They may be from any place up to 100-feet from the trail!