Updated June 17, 08



Seneca Trail

7.5-miles, hilly, can be muddy, various conditions, great views

June 2008

The Seneca Trail is our most varied trail. A footpath for most of its length, it has hills to climb with long vistas and low land boardwalks.

From North to South

High St. to Willowbrook Rd.

Parking is available behind Fishers Firehouse #2 on High St., just south of Valentown Hall. The trail begins at the rear of the parking lot and 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.

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

Seneca Trail Overlook

Seneca Trail Overlook

Willowbrook Rd. and the NYS Thruway

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

Seneca Trail Underpass

Seneca Trail Going under the Thruway on Willowbrook Rd.

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 Denonville.

Seneca Trail Overlook

Seneca Trail Overlook

Victor Pittsford Rd (NY 96) to Golf Driving Range

This is the roadside of the Victor Mendon Rd (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 Trolley Trail. There are several connections to the Auburn Trail. In the lowlands this trail passes through what was in the mid 20th century, the Victor Village dump. Debris may be sighted.

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

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 VHT trail markers come to a temporary end at the top of the valley of Great Brook. To continue, follow the purple blazed Purple Park trail south through woods along the Brook. Cross the Brook at a ford out to School Rd.

Typical Seneca Trail

Typical Seneca Trail

School Rd to Boughton Hill Rd.

The trail to Fort Hill and Brace Rd. Park crosses School Rd. This is the roadside of School Rd. and west on Boughton Hill Rd. to a 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. Here is a temporary end to the red-blazed Seneca Trail. It continues as the yellow-blazed extension 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 Seneca trail will continue through woods and thickets. This section is "under construction." (Summer '08).

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!