Trails
Explore Over 70 Miles of Trails
The Town of Victor features an extensive trail network to help people get out and explore Victor’s natural spaces. Whether you’re on the trails for recreation or alternative transportation, we hope you enjoy your experience!
Trails can be found in nearly every corner of the Town, from those in Victor’s parks, to former railway corridors, to discrete connections in between homes and businesses. The trails vary from hardened-surface pathways, such as the Auburn and Lehigh Valley Trails, to natural surface trails with a more primitive feel. Users are encouraged to navigate the multi-modal system by foot, wheel, or by any other human-powered means. Many of the shared-use trails are excellent for hiking, walking, running, and viewing nature. Some of the trails, such as those at Dryer Road Park, have been developed primarily for mountain biking and make Victor a prominent regional destination for off-road cycling.
The Town of Victor is proud of its trail system and we welcome your feedback. With our community partners, we are consistently working to expand and improve Victor’s trail system to help make Victor a great place to visit and live!
The Road to Inclusion: WXXI Interview (link to WXXI)
Update Summer 2022
In addition to our regular trail maintenance and a number of smaller construction projects, we are proud to announce the opening of the adaptive-friendly mountain bike trail at Dryer Road Park! The new, machine-built trail helps make local mountain biking more inclusive, and it’s enjoyable for anyone from beginners to experienced riders. The Town of Victor has a high-end, adaptive mountain bike available for public use – please contact Dylan Reed to arrange a ride. Also, the signage along the greenway trails has undergone yet another phase of updates and replacement, with an emphasis on the Rules of the Trails signage. We hope everyone has enjoyed getting out on the trails often!
Trail Planning
Periodically, the Town of Victor and our community partners engage in trail planning with the general public. Stay tuned for opportunities to provide feedback and get involved!
Rules of the Trails
The rules for Town trails are defined by the same code as for Town parks. Thank you for using the trails responsibly and helping to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all users!
The following activities are prohibited on Town of Victor trails:
- Unauthorized Motorized Vehicles
- E-bikes Above Class 1
- Off-Leash Pets
- Littering/Pet Waste
- Trespassing on Adjacent Land
- Horses
- Hunting
- Smoking (including e-cigarettes)
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Trail Safety & Etiquette
With plenty of visitors accessing the trails each year, here are a few tips for how to share the trails courteously and safely for all mobility types:
Walkers
- Walk on the right side of the trail (slower traffic keeps right, passing on left).
- Groups should allow space on one side of the trail for others to pass.
- When faster traffic comes up from behind switch from walking abreast to in-line to give plenty of clearance for passing safely.
- Look and listen for oncoming, overtaking, and crossing traffic.
Joggers
- Keep to the right side of the trail (except when passing slower traffic on the left).
- When passing, give an audible warning by calling out “Passing on your left!”. This gives them time to clear your path.
- Keep at least one ear open. For safety and communicating with others, wear only one earbud when listening to devices.
Bicyclists & Other Non-Motorized Wheeled Device Users
- Bikes and other non-motorized devices (i.e., scooters and rollerblades) are the fastest traffic on the trail. Park trail users must travel at 15 mph or under.
- Pass others on the left. Give an audible warning with a bell or call out “Passing on your left!” The speeds of a bike make it possible to startle other trail users, so don’t wait to give your warning until you are right next to the walker or runner.
- Nearly all portions of the trails are accessible.
Trail Users with Pets
- Pets should be leashed at all times.
- Please remove pet waste from the trail and grass and dispose of it in one of the pet waste disposal bins around the park.
- Carry a collapsible water bowl for your pets while walking in the park to ensure they stay hydrated.
- Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Keep your dog close to you and stay alert to others.
Parents with Small Children
- Keep an eye on children on the path. Be mindful that kids (on foot, scooter, or bike) sometimes veer into the path of oncoming traffic.
- If your child is cycling, be sure they are skilled enough to control the bike, and maneuver as needed to share the trail and safely pass.
- Teach children that they must share the trail.
Share the trail, respect others, communicate clearly, be safe, and HAVE FUN!
Victor Hiking Trails
Victor Hiking Trails has developed a web-based mapping resource for trails in Town parks and beyond.
Whether you’re looking for shorter or longer opportunities, visit VHT Maps.
TrailForks
TrailForks is the current go-to for mountain biking in Victor. While it’s not quite comprehensive for the entire Victor trail network, the website and mobile application offer excellent geo-location and detailed information for each of the trail segments at Dryer Road Park and neighboring trails, visit TrailForks.
- Town of Victor Code - Chapter 148 Parks
- Town of Victor Code - Chapter 149 Off-Road Vehicles
- Town of Victor Code - Chapter 169 Smoking
Town of Victor Code - Chapter 148 Parks (link to code)
Below is a selection of Town of Victor Code for reference:
148-1 Applicability.
This article shall apply to those lands owned by and under the control and supervision of the Town of Victor which are dedicated or otherwise devoted to active or passive recreation. The use of the terms "park" and "trail" in this article shall mean and include all parks and trails presently or heretofore operated within the Town of Victor.
148-2 Hours.
Parks and trails shall be open to the public every day of the year from dawn until dusk. The hours of parks that include year-round lodges and restrooms may be adjusted upon express permission of the Town of Victor Department of Parks and Recreation as necessary to accommodate facility reservations and Department of Parks and Recreation sponsored activities.
148-7 Domestic animals.
Domestic animals, including dogs and cats, must be on a leash, and horses are not allowed in parks or on trails at any time. Dogs must be in compliance with the Town of Victor Dog Code at Chapter 90 of the Victor Town Code.
148-9 Littering.
Littering is prohibited, and all refuse shall be deposited in receptacles placed at intervals within parks and trails.
148-10 Hunting or molesting animals.
No person shall hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw objects or projectiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird, nor shall be remove or have in his possession the young of the wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird. Fishing activity in all man-made ponds shall be catch and release. Fishing licenses must be obtained (as required) from New York State.
148-13 Ejection from park.
Those persons within the boundaries of parks or trails, whether using its facilities or not, are subject to the rules and regulations contained herein and may be ejected from parks or trails in the event that they violate any rule or regulation.
148-14 Enforcement.
This article shall be enforced by any park or trail attendant that may heretofore or hereafter be authorized to enforce this article by the Town Board. This article shall be enforced by the Police Departments having jurisdiction in the Town of Victor.
Town of Victor Code - Chapter 149 Snowmobiles and Off-Road Vehicles (link to code)
Below is a selection of Town of Victor Code for reference:
§ 149-3. Definitions; word usage.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OFF-ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE — Any vehicle which is propelled by any power other than muscular power, except electrically driven mobility devices operated by a person with a disability, pedal-assist (Class 1) electric bicycles with maximum speeds of 20 miles per hour (mph), vehicles authorized by the Town to repair or maintain premises and emergency vehicles, that is designed specifically for operation on unpaved surfaces and is operated off of the public highways and on unpaved surfaces.[Amended 10-12-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021]
§ 149-5. Operation on Town lands.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any snowmobile or off-road motor vehicle on lands owned by the Town of Victor without the express consent of the Victor Town Board by permit. Any operation must be in accordance with all applicable laws of the State of New York, including the requirement of registration and insurance, and in accordance with any conditions set forth by the Town Board. It shall further be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle of any nature upon Town trails without the consent of the Town of Victor Parks and Recreation Department.
§ 149-6. Permissible operation.
Other than as provided in this chapter, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles may be operated within the Town of Victor in places and manner as are not inconsistent with provisions of the laws of the State of New York.
§ 149-7. Special events.
The Town of Victor Parks and Recreation Department may from time to time sanction and organize special events for which activity of snowmobiles and other off-road motor vehicles is allowed. The applicant shall apply to the Town of Victor Parks and Recreation Department for a special permit to participate in such events upon rules and regulations so promulgated by the Town of Victor Parks and Recreation Department.
§ 149-8. Penalties for offenses.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a violation, and the violator, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250, or by imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, and each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.
Chapter 169 - Smoking on Certain Town Properties (link to code)
Below is a selection of Town of Victor Code for reference:
§ 169-2. Outdoor smoking prohibited in certain public places.
A. Smoking and/or use of any cannabis or cannabis-related product, tobacco or tobacco-related product or any e-cigarette shall not be permitted, and no person shall smoke and/or use any cannabis or cannabis-related product, tobacco, or tobacco-related product, vape or ignite an e-cigarette in the following outdoor areas: All Town of Victor Parks, including Dryer Road Park, Mary Frances Bluebird Haven, Lehigh Crossing Park, Paparone Park, Fishers Park, Village on the Park, Harlan Fisher Park (Village), Victor Municipal Park (Village), Auburn Trail, and Lehigh Valley Trail. This shall include all sections of the aforementioned parks, including, but not limited to, any pavilion, playground, and/or playing field.
B. Any licensee or permit holder for an outdoor recreation area, park, pavilion, playground and/or playing field shall be required to inform members of the public of applicable restrictions on smoking or use of the products listed in the preceding subsection.
§ 169-3. Penalties for offenses.
Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this chapter shall be guilty, upon conviction, of an offense punishable by a civil penalty of not more than $25 or an amount of community service not exceeding 20 hours. Each event on any single day or each day on which a violation occurs shall be considered a separate and distinct violation.
Auburn Trail
The Auburn Trail occupies a historic railway corridor of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad and stretches 9 miles through Victor from Pittsford to Farmington. The wide, stone dust trail is ADA-compliant for inclusive recreation and an excellent destination for walking, jogging, cycling, viewing nature, snowshoeing and more. Sights along the trail include the Irondequoit Creek, wildlife, murals, train-themed sculptures, and the historic trestle bridge.
As an initiative of the Parks and Recreation Department, the Town of Victor received Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grants totaling $2.3 million dollars for the design and construction of this multi-use trail. Project activities included stone dust surfacing of the entire trail, restoring a stone arch culvert in Fishers, providing way finding and interpretive signage along the trail, establishing numerous parking areas (at road crossings), and constructing plazas at key intersections.
Lehigh Valley Trail
Similar to the Auburn Trail, the Lehigh Valley Trail has a wide stone dust surface, which is suitable for walking, hiking, running, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Town’s portion of the former Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor is approximately two miles in length and travels from Lehigh Crossing Park to the Victor-Mendon town line. Those adventurous enough can take it west to the Genesee Valley Greenway. There are convenient parking areas located at road crossings. The Town and Victor Hiking Trails completed construction of a pedestrian and bicycle bridge on the former Lehigh Valley Railroad trestle at Phillips Road in November 2007. This feature enables trail users to enter from the rear of Lehigh Crossing Park and enjoy its many recreational opportunities.
Dryer Road Park
One of the highlights of Victor’s trail system is Dryer Road Park. The Town of Victor was home to the first shared-use trail network in the Greater Rochester area that was developed primarily for mountain biking. Cultivated in partnership with local advocates, this model project demonstrates how volunteers can help co-create off-road cycling facilities that promote healthier lifestyles and attract adventurous visitors and new residents alike. Dryer Road Park also features picnic and restroom facilities, a pumptrack, dirt jumps, and the area’s first machine built trails.
Many More to Explore!
In addition to these highlighted trails, please check out Victor’s Parks and our Trail Map Information section (in the tab above) to discover many more favorites.
Support from the Community
Victor Hiking Trails
For over 30 years, Victor Hiking Trails, Inc. (VHT) has been helping to plan, build, and maintain an extensive trail network across the Town of Victor. VHT’s visionary work has helped to preserve many trail corridors from development through trail easements, and VHT has hand built much of Victor’s 70-mile trail system and related infrastructure such as bridges and boardwalks. In addition to public trail work sessions, VHT also hosts a variety of other guided hikes and educational events to help promote trail culture and outdoor appreciation. The Town of Victor is thankful for VHT’s continued presence and partnership! For more information and volunteer opportunities, please visit: Victor Hiking Trails.
Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists
For more than 15 years, Genesee Regional Off-Road Cyclists (GROC) has partnered with the Town of Victor in creating sustainable, shared-use trails. Their work has been focused on helping cultivate mountain bike-primary facilities at Dryer Road Park and has helped establish Victor as one of the premiere destinations for off-road cycling in Western NY. GROC regularly hosts trail work events to help maintain the trails and the Town of Victor is thankful for their support! For more information and volunteer opportunities, please visit: Genesee Regional Off Road Cyclists.
Follow the Town staff and volunteers on Instagram as we plan, build, and maintain your trails.
We also announce community events and opportunities to get involved.
@townofvictortrails @victorhikingtrails @mygroc @victorparksrec
For trail-related feedback, questions, or to notify Parks staff about any hazards you may have encountered on the trails, please fill out our Parks & Trails - Report a Problem/Trail Hazard Form.
For general inquiries please use our Contact Us form.
If you have a suggestion for improvement, please fill out a Comment Card.
We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your support!