The Link Trail stretches 40 miles through Madison County in Central New York, connecting the Finger Lakes Trail system with the Old Erie Canal Trail near Canastota. This moderately easy trail follows old Lehigh Valley Railroad beds through mixed cedar and hemlock forests, and its gentle grades make it a good choice for beginning to intermediate backpackers who want a less strenuous long-distance trip. Much of the route coincides with the North Country National Scenic Trail, with numerous stream crossings on footbridges and access to small upstate villages along the way. The best-known sections are the Cazenovia Gorge, where Chittenango Creek cuts through limestone, and the remote Nelson Swamp Unique Area.
Backpackers often combine the Link Trail with the Onondaga Trail and Finger Lakes Trail to complete the Onondaga Finger Link Loop, a demanding 100-mile circuit through four counties. The trail is blazed with yellow markers, and some sections also carry blue North Country Trail blazes.
No permits are required for backpacking the Link Trail. New York State Forest dispersed camping is allowed throughout the route with the following regulations:
Backpackers must share lean-tos and designated camping areas to capacity on a first-come, first-served basis. Leave No Trace principles are strongly encouraged. The trail passes through private lands in some sections, so respect posted boundaries and stay on marked trail corridors.
May through October has the most reliable conditions for backpacking the Link Trail. Late April through May brings spring wildflowers and flowing water sources, though expect mud and possible lingering snow in shaded areas. Blackflies can be intense in May.
September through mid-October is the best weather window, with comfortable temperatures (50-70°F days), fall foliage, minimal bugs, and stable weather. This is peak season for the Finger Lakes Trail system.
Summer (June-August) is passable but comes with high humidity, temperatures in the 80s, aggressive mosquitoes in the swamp sections, and the potential for severe thunderstorms. Stream crossings are typically easiest in late summer when water levels drop.
Winter backpacking (November-March) is possible for experienced cold-weather hikers but requires snowshoes when snowpack exceeds 8 inches per NYS regulations. Most backpackers skip winter because of limited daylight, freezing temperatures, and difficult navigation.
Water sources are abundant along the Link Trail, though reliability varies by season. Chittenango Creek in Nelson Swamp and the Cazenovia Gorge provide year-round water. The trail crosses numerous smaller streams, particularly in the northern sections; most flow reliably spring through fall but may dry up in late summer drought conditions. Always carry water treatment (filter or purification tablets), since agricultural runoff affects water quality in the lowland areas.
Major resupply opportunities:
Cazenovia (trail passes through town): Full services including Tops Friendly Markets (71 Nelson Street) and ALDI grocery stores. Multiple restaurants, breweries, and shops line the village's historic main street. Cazenovia works well as a midpoint resupply stop, with motels available for nero days.
Canastota (northern terminus): Smaller village with basic grocery options and convenience stores. The North Country Trail passes directly through downtown, so trail access is easy.
Carry 2-3 days of food between towns. No mail drop facilities specifically cater to backpackers, but standard USPS General Delivery may be arranged to local post offices with advance planning.
Ticks and Lyme Disease: Central New York reports over 17,500 annual Lyme disease cases. Blacklegged (deer) ticks are prevalent in tall grass and brush from April through November. Walk center-trail, wear light-colored clothing with pants tucked into socks, and perform full-body tick checks nightly. Shower within 2 hours of making camp when possible. Other tick-borne illnesses (anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus) also occur in the region.
Road Walks: Sections of the Link Trail follow county roads and village streets. Take care on blind corners and carry a headlamp for visibility if hiking near dawn or dusk.
Stream Crossings: Footbridges span the major waterways like Chittenango Creek, but minor stream crossings may lack bridges. Spring snowmelt (late March through April) can make fords difficult. Water levels peak after heavy rain, so wait out storms rather than attempting a sketchy crossing.
Navigation: Yellow blazes are generally consistent, but the road walks through Cazenovia and other developed areas require attention to route-finding. Download offline maps or carry paper NCTA Central NY Chapter maps. Cell service is reliable in towns but spotty in forest sections.
Weather: Summer thunderstorms develop rapidly, so carry rain gear and avoid exposed hilltops during electrical activity. There are no significant lightning-risk ridgelines, but open fields and railroad grades offer little protection.
Black bears inhabit the area but encounters are rare. Standard food storage practices (bear hang or bear canister) are recommended but not legally required. There are no aggressive wildlife concerns.
By Air: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is 25-28 miles from Cazenovia, the trail's midpoint, roughly 35-40 minutes by car. Rental cars are available at the airport. No public transit connects SYR directly to trailheads.
Trailheads with Parking (north to south):
Roads to all trailheads are passenger-car accessible year-round; no high-clearance vehicle is needed. Parking is free at all access points but spaces are limited (typically 2-4 cars). No formal shuttle services operate on the Link Trail, so arrange private shuttles or car spots for through-hikes.
Loop Logistics: Consider hiking the full Onondaga Finger Link Loop (100+ miles) for a true multi-day challenge combining three trail systems. The loop can be started from any point and hiked in either direction; clockwise routing hits Cazenovia early for a shakedown resupply.
Lean-to Strategy: The Link Trail itself has limited established camping infrastructure, but the connecting trails in the loop system have numerous Adirondack-style lean-tos. These fill quickly on weekends, so arrive early or carry a tent for flexibility.
Rail-Trail Character: Much of the Link Trail follows former railroad grades with gradual grades and wide treadway. That makes for easy miles but less scenic variety than mountainous trails. Experienced backpackers can comfortably cover 15-20 miles daily.
Town Culture: Take advantage of Cazenovia's walkable village center. The breweries and historic main street make it a pleasant mid-trail resupply stop, and local businesses are hiker-friendly.
Winter Interest: The relatively flat terrain and lower elevation make this a reasonable winter backpacking option for anyone equipped with proper cold-weather gear. Snowshoe rental is available in Syracuse area shops.
Photography: The Cazenovia Gorge section has the most dramatic scenery on the route. Hike it in morning light for the best waterfall and creek photography. Fall colors peak late September through early October.
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