This 5.4 mile section of the Link Trail begins at it's northern terminus at the junction of the Erie Canal Trail in the village of Canastota.  The trail starts as a road walk in part of the village.  After crossing under the railroad bridge on Main Street, the trail turns right onto a newly paved path.

This newly paved path takes the Link Trail 0.8 miles to the end of Port Street.  There are great views behind you as you gently ascend.  When you reach the end of Port Street there is a road walk again. 

A note to anyone parking at the end of Port Street - someone at the home at the end of the street decided to take numerous pictures of me, my dog and my car as we walked along the path.  Plus they sent their dog out, who barked at us the whole time we were walking.  I wouldn't recommend parking there.

You'll make your way back to Main Street and when you cross NY 5 at the light near Aldi's the trail veers right off Mount Pleasant Street and parallels the road (2 miles of hiking).  The North Country National Scenic Trail coincides with the Link Trail in this section.  The highlights are north to south.

At Mount Pleasant Cemetery there is parking and the trail veers right into the woods.  Please remember your hiking on private property and stay on the trail.  The trail ascends toward a trail register before descending on wooden stairs into the Canastota Ravine.  There is a bench on the stairs for those who want a break and enjoy the peace of the area. 

The trail follows the ravine to Canastota Creek, which is crossed on a footbridge after 3 miles of hiking.  Another impressive piece of construction is the bridge (with the wooden stairs as the other) on this section of trail.  The trail will soon ascend up to the old Lehigh Valley Railroad and turns right to follow the old rail bed.  The trail on the left is a spur trail that leads to the new Scheid Park (part of the NYS Parks) in 0.2 miles and a small parking area off Oxbow Road.

If you look close you'll see remnants of the old railroad.  On your right you see and hear Canastota Creek below.  This is a very scenic section of the trail.  The trail will veer right along the old bed on its way toward Nelson Road.  At 4.6 miles you reach Nelson Road and a small parking area on the side of the road.  At 5.4 miles the trail crosses Harp Road and the end of this section.

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Guide to Hiking the Link Trail (2nd Edition - 2010) - $3.97

The Guide to Hiking the Link Trail is a 25 page guide book dedicated to all the information you need to hike the Link Trail in Madison County.  However this guide book is "green" as you'll receive this guide book in pdf form in an e-mail not an actual book in regular mail. This means you can print the pages you want from the book.  Print only what you need for your hike, not a whole book.  No worries on the book getting wet, as you'll always have it on your computer when you get back from your hike.

This guide has maps, pictures, descriptions and everything you need to explore the Link Trail.  Use the buy now button below and we'll send you an e-mail with your file within 24 hours after receiving your payment.  Be sure to check out our other guides available here on the website.

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There are some pictures, a map and detailed description of the trail below.  Follow the yellow and blue blazes.

Pictures from along this section of the Link Trail

Spur Trail at Scheid Park	Scheid Park parking area	Paved trail at end of Port Street.	View near Port Street.	View near Port Street.
Old Lehigh Valley Railroad bed.	Bridge over Canastota Creek.	Bridge over Canastota Creek.	Stairway into ravine.	Footbridge.