10 Best Mountain Bike Trails in New York

Last Updated on October 25, 2026 by Jaxon Mike

The best mountain bike trails in New York offer diverse terrain for every rider, from challenging climbs to scenic descents, with top recommendations including the Shawangunks Trail Companion for its extensive network, 25 Bicycle Tours Lake Champlain for its varied routes, and Cycling the Erie Canal for epic long-distance adventures.

Exploring these trails provides a fantastic way to experience the state’s natural beauty and enjoy thrilling outdoor recreation. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a beginner looking for accessible paths, New York’s trail system has something to offer.

This guide narrows the vast array of New York’s mountain biking opportunities down to our top 10 picks, thoroughly researched and evaluated for trail quality, accessibility, and overall riding experience. We considered factors like trail maintenance, scenic views, and suitability for different skill levels to help you find your next adventure. Dive into our detailed comparison below to discover the perfect trail for your next biking excursion.

3 Standout Picks: Shawangunk hikers/bikers, Lake Champlain region, and Long-distance cyclists

Start with these 3 standouts. Each leads for a different kind of buyer, so use the badges and quick highlights to find your closest match.

10 Models Side by Side: Features, Best Use Cases, and Tradeoffs

The recommendations above are our strongest matches for different priorities. Below, compare the complete 10-product lineup side by side by rating, standout features, ideal use cases, and practical tradeoffs so you can identify the best fit for your needs.

1
Shawangunks Trail Companion
Shawangunks

Shawangunks Trail Companion

Main Highlights
  • Vast trail network
  • Multiple outdoor activities
Show MoreShow Less
  • Spectacular natural scenery
  • 200+ miles of trails
  • Hiking, biking, skiing
2
25 Bicycle Tours Lake Champlain
25

25 Bicycle Tours Lake Champlain

Main Highlights
  • Stunning scenery
  • Covers three regions
Show MoreShow Less
  • Suitable for all levels
  • Scenic tours
  • VT, NY, QC
3
Cycling the Erie Canal
Cycling

Cycling the Erie Canal

Main Highlights
  • Comprehensive Erie Canalway Trail guide
  • Detailed amenities and attractions
Show MoreShow Less
  • Updated route information
  • 360 miles of trail
  • Empire State Trail part
4
Best Bike Rides Long Island
Best

Best Bike Rides Long Island

Main Highlights
  • Comprehensive Long Island coverage
  • Includes single-track MTB
Show MoreShow Less
  • GPS coordinates provided
  • 40 Long Island rides
  • Includes single-track
5
Take Your Bike Rochester
Take

Take Your Bike Rochester

Main Highlights
  • Excellent for family rides
  • Covers diverse terrain
Show MoreShow Less
  • Includes local history
  • 42 Rochester trails
  • Easy to rugged
6
Rails-Trails New Jersey & New York
Rails-Trails

Rails-Trails New Jersey & New York

Main Highlights
  • Extensive coverage of rail-trails
  • Detailed maps and directions
Show MoreShow Less
  • Clear activity indicators
  • 58 rail-trails
  • Detailed maps
7
Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York
Rail-Trails

Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York

Main Highlights
  • Covers 100 rail-trails
  • Detailed trail summaries
Show MoreShow Less
  • Tri-state area coverage
  • 100 rail-trails
  • Detailed maps
8
Cycling Hudson Champlain Valleys
Cycling

Cycling Hudson Champlain Valleys

Main Highlights
  • Covers key trail sections
  • Up-to-date information
Show MoreShow Less
  • Detailed color maps
  • 400 miles of trail
  • Hudson Valley Greenway
9
Best Bike Rides New York City
Best

Best Bike Rides New York City

Main Highlights
  • Covers diverse NYC ride types
  • Ideal for short, urban rides
Show MoreShow Less
  • Includes single-track options
  • 40+ recreational rides
  • Road, rail, single-track
10
Best Bike Rides Mid-Atlantic
Best

Best Bike Rides Mid-Atlantic

Main Highlights
  • Wide regional coverage
  • Includes scenic routes
Show MoreShow Less
  • Variety of ride lengths
  • Multi-state coverage
  • Scenic routes

10 Models Reviewed in Depth

#1. Shawangunks Trail Companion

Shawangunk hikers/bikers

Shawangunks Trail Companion
90
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Mileage
9.5
Activity Variety
9.0
Scenery
8.8
Accessibility
8.5
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll find this guide to the Shawangunk Mountains incredibly comprehensive, detailing over 200 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. Its proximity to New York City makes it a prime destination for weekend adventures, offering spectacular scenery and diverse recreational possibilities.

This book is the definitive resource for the Shawangunks, providing detailed trail descriptions and access information. However, its publication date is quite old, so current trail conditions or closures might not be reflected. It’s essential for anyone planning to explore this specific, popular ridge.

Pros

  • Vast trail network
  • Multiple outdoor activities
  • Spectacular natural scenery

Cons

  • Outdated publication date
  • Limited to one region
  • May lack current conditions

Specifications

Pages
368 pages
Publication Date
June 1, 2003
Dimensions
6.1 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Weight
1.3 pounds
ISBN-10
0881505633
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#2. 25 Bicycle Tours Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain region

25 Bicycle Tours Lake Champlain
89
OVERALL SCORE
Region Coverage
9.0
Scenery
9.5
Skill Adaptability
8.5
Route Variety
8.0
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You’ll discover outstanding scenery and lightly traveled roads with this guide to 25 bicycle tours around the Lake Champlain region, spanning Vermont, New York, and Quebec. It caters to all cyclists, from hardcore roadies to families looking for scenic, flat rides.

This guide is excellent for exploring the beautiful Lake Champlain area with its charming towns and historic sites. However, like many guidebooks of its nature, the publication date is quite old, so current trail conditions or specific route details might need verification. It’s a great starting point for planning a trip to this picturesque region.

Pros

  • Stunning scenery
  • Covers three regions
  • Suitable for all levels

Cons

  • Outdated publication date
  • Focus on road cycling
  • May need route verification

Specifications

Pages
208 pages
Publication Date
June 1, 2004
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
Weight
11.2 ounces
ISBN-10
0881505757
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#3. Cycling the Erie Canal

Long-distance cyclists

Cycling the Erie Canal
88
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Length
9.5
Amenities Info
8.8
History Focus
8.5
Usability
8.0
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll find this guide indispensable for exploring the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail, a significant portion of the Empire State Trail. It offers updated maps, routing, and surface conditions, along with comprehensive listings of attractions, lodging, and bike shops, making it perfect for both dedicated cyclists and casual riders.

While it caters well to cyclists, walkers and boaters will also find useful information. Its focus is primarily on the canal trail itself, so if you’re seeking diverse mountain biking terrain beyond this specific route, you might need additional resources.

Pros

  • Comprehensive Erie Canalway Trail guide
  • Detailed amenities and attractions
  • Updated route information

Cons

  • Primarily focused on canal trail
  • Less for technical MTB
  • Older publication date

Specifications

Pages
142 pages
Publication Date
March 1, 2021
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Weight
8.8 ounces
ISBN-13
978-0974827742
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#4. Best Bike Rides Long Island

Long Island rides

Best Bike Rides Long Island
87
OVERALL SCORE
Ride Selection
9.0
Long Island Focus
9.5
Detail Level
8.5
Modern Features
8.0
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You’ll find 40 excellent recreational rides on Long Island with this guide, covering road, rail, bike paths, and single-track mountain bike trails. Rides range from 5 to 35 miles, suitable for afternoon outings and challenging adventures, with GPS coordinates for start/finish points.

This guide is a great resource for exploring Long Island’s cycling routes, including specific mentions of single-track for mountain bikers. While it provides good detail and includes modern features like GPS coordinates, it doesn’t cover the entire state, naturally focusing only on the Long Island area.

Pros

  • Comprehensive Long Island coverage
  • Includes single-track MTB
  • GPS coordinates provided

Cons

  • Limited to Long Island
  • Not state-wide
  • Some challenging rides

Specifications

Pages
288 pages
Publication Date
April 15, 2017
Dimensions
5.96 x 0.75 x 8.97 inches
Weight
1.18 pounds
ISBN-10
149300736X
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#5. Take Your Bike Rochester

Family rides

Take Your Bike Rochester
86
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Variety
9.0
Family Focus
9.5
Local Detail
8.0
Map Clarity
7.5
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll discover over 300 miles of family-friendly cycling adventures in the Rochester, NY area with this guide, featuring 42 trails ranging from easy paved paths to more rugged mountain biking trails. It provides essential details like parking, ride length, terrain difficulty, and amenities, plus local history.

This book is a fantastic resource for families looking for safe and fun bike rides in Rochester. However, its publication date is quite old, so some trail information might be outdated. It’s best for general planning and discovering routes, but always verify current conditions.

Pros

  • Excellent for family rides
  • Covers diverse terrain
  • Includes local history

Cons

  • Very outdated publication
  • Limited to Rochester area
  • Trail conditions may vary

Specifications

Pages
285 pages
Publication Date
November 4, 2002
Dimensions
5.75 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
Weight
13.6 ounces
ISBN-10
1930480024
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#6. Rails-Trails New Jersey & New York

Trail explorers

Rails-Trails New Jersey & New York
85
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Coverage
9.0
Map Detail
8.5
Activity Info
8.0
Usability
8.0
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll discover 58 of the best rail-trails across New Jersey and New York, offering a comprehensive guide for outdoor enthusiasts. The detailed maps and driving directions to trailheads make planning your next adventure straightforward, while icons clearly indicate the activities each trail can accommodate.

While this guide is excellent for rail-trail exploration, it’s less focused on technical mountain biking. It’s perfect for families and casual riders looking for scenic, multi-use paths, but serious off-roaders might need supplementary resources for more challenging terrain.

Pros

  • Extensive coverage of rail-trails
  • Detailed maps and directions
  • Clear activity indicators

Cons

  • Limited technical trail info
  • Focus on multi-use paths
  • Older publication date

Specifications

Pages
218 pages
Publication Date
May 21, 2019
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Weight
13.6 ounces
ISBN-10
0899979653
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#7. Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York

Multi-state rail-trails

Rail-Trails Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York
84
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Count
9.0
Map Quality
8.5
State Coverage
8.0
Information Density
7.8
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll appreciate this guide for its coverage of 100 rail-trails across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, offering a vast resource for exploring these multi-use paths. Each trail includes succinct descriptions, summary information on permitted uses, surface type, length, and directions, complemented by detailed maps showing amenities.

This book is excellent for discovering rail-trails in the tri-state area. However, its publication date is quite dated, meaning trail conditions or new trails may not be included. It’s best for planning general routes rather than seeking the latest updates on specific trail conditions.

Pros

  • Covers 100 rail-trails
  • Detailed trail summaries
  • Tri-state area coverage

Cons

  • Outdated publication date
  • Focus solely on rail-trails
  • Lacks current trail updates

Specifications

Pages
367 pages
Publication Date
January 25, 2011
Dimensions
5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
Weight
1.2 pounds
ISBN-10
0899976492
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#8. Cycling Hudson Champlain Valleys

Empire State Trail

Cycling Hudson Champlain Valleys
83
OVERALL SCORE
Trail Length
8.5
Map Quality
8.0
Amenities Info
7.5
Content Relevance
7.0
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll find this guide an essential resource for the north-south leg of the Empire State Trail, covering 400 miles through the Hudson and Champlain Valleys. It provides up-to-date trail routing, surface conditions, and comprehensive listings of attractions, lodging, and services, all highlighted with full-color maps.

This guide is particularly useful for cyclists planning a trip along this specific section of the Empire State Trail. While it offers modern information and detailed maps, its focus is strictly on this north-south corridor, so it won’t cover other types of mountain biking trails in New York.

Pros

  • Covers key trail sections
  • Up-to-date information
  • Detailed color maps

Cons

  • Specific to one trail
  • Limited to north-south route
  • Not for general MTB

Specifications

Pages
154 pages
Publication Date
November 15, 2022
Dimensions
6 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
Weight
8.8 ounces
ISBN-10
0974827754
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#9. Best Bike Rides New York City

Urban cycling

Best Bike Rides New York City
82
OVERALL SCORE
Ride Variety
9.0
Urban Focus
8.5
Ride Lengths
7.5
Accessibility
7.0
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll find over 40 great recreational rides within New York City, covering road, rail trails, bike paths, and even some single-track mountain bike routes. Most rides are between 5 and 30 miles, making them perfect for afternoon outings and family adventures.

This guide is excellent for exploring NYC’s diverse cycling options. However, if you’re specifically looking for extensive, backcountry mountain biking experiences, this book’s urban focus might be too limited. It’s best suited for those wanting to discover city-based trails.

Pros

  • Covers diverse NYC ride types
  • Ideal for short, urban rides
  • Includes single-track options

Cons

  • Limited to NYC area
  • Not for extensive MTB
  • Older publication date

Specifications

Pages
320 pages
Publication Date
May 20, 2014
Dimensions
6 x 0.59 x 9 inches
Weight
1.15 pounds
ISBN-10
0762784458
Check Price on Amazon→

#10. Best Bike Rides Mid-Atlantic

Regional exploration

Best Bike Rides Mid-Atlantic
78
OVERALL SCORE
Regional Scope
8.5
Ride Variety
7.5
Route Detail
7.0
Age of Content
6.0
Check Price on Amazon→

You’ll get a broad overview of bike rides across several Mid-Atlantic states, including New York, with this guide. It aims to cover scenic routes suitable for various skill levels, offering a starting point for regional exploration.

This book provides a wide regional scope, but its major drawback is its very old publication date. You should expect the information to be significantly outdated regarding trail conditions, amenities, and even available routes. It’s best used as a historical reference rather than a current guide.

Pros

  • Wide regional coverage
  • Includes scenic routes
  • Variety of ride lengths

Cons

  • Extremely outdated content
  • Limited detail per ride
  • Not for current planning

Specifications

Pages
288 pages
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Dimensions
5.25 x 0.75 x 7.5 inches
Weight
10 ounces
ISBN-10
0762700491
Check Price on Amazon→

Conquer New York’s Trails: Your Guide to Epic Mountain Biking Adventures

New York State boasts a surprisingly diverse and exhilarating mountain biking scene, from the rugged peaks of the Adirondacks to the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley and the technical terrain of Western New York. Choosing the right trails to match your skill level and desired experience is key to unlocking the full potential of your two-wheeled adventures. This guide will help you navigate the options and find your perfect ride.

Unearthing Your Ideal New York Mountain Bike Experience

When planning your next mountain biking excursion in New York, consider these crucial elements to ensure a rewarding outing:

  • Trail Difficulty: New York offers everything from gentle, scenic fire roads perfect for beginners to challenging, rocky descents and technical climbs that will test even seasoned riders. Research trail ratings (usually beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert) to find routes that align with your comfort and skill level.
  • Scenery and Environment: Do you dream of vast mountain vistas, lush forests, or rides alongside picturesque rivers? New York’s trail systems offer a stunning array of backdrops. Consider what kind of natural beauty you want to immerse yourself in.
  • Trail Type and Features: Are you looking for smooth, flowy singletrack, or do you crave the adrenaline rush of technical rock gardens and root-strewn paths? Some trails are known for their jumps and berms, while others focus on natural obstacles.
  • Accessibility and Location: Think about how far you’re willing to travel and what regions of New York you’d like to explore. Popular areas like Saratoga, the Catskills, and near Buffalo offer concentrated networks of trails, but many hidden gems exist throughout the state.
  • Trail Conditions and Seasonality: New York weather can significantly impact trail conditions. Muddy trails can lead to erosion and are best avoided. Check recent trail reports or local cycling group pages for current conditions, especially after rain or snow.

Navigating the Path to Trail Bliss

  • Overestimating your abilities: It’s always better to start on easier trails and build confidence. An overly ambitious first ride can lead to frustration or even injury.
  • Ignoring trail etiquette: Be mindful of other users – hikers, equestrians, and other cyclists. Yield to uphill riders and be prepared to stop if necessary.
  • Failing to check local regulations: Some parks or trail systems may have specific rules regarding bike access, hours of operation, or required permits. A quick online check can save you a headache.

Your Next New York Trail Adventure Awaits!

Ready to hit the dirt? For epic climbs and thrilling descents, the Shawangunks Trail Companion is your go-to. If family fun is the priority, Take Your Bike: Family Rides in the Rochester New York Area delivers smiles all around. For a mix of history and scenery, Cycling the Erie Canal offers an unforgettable journey.

No matter your riding style or budget, these guides provide the intel you need to plan your perfect New York mountain biking escape. Don’t delay – check current availability and gear up for adventure!

Final 3 Picks: Shawangunk hikers/bikers, Lake Champlain region, and Long-distance cyclists

Ready to decide? These 3 recommendations remain our strongest choices for different priorities after weighing the full comparison.

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