Overview

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, making it ideal for beginning to intermediate backpackers seeking a less strenuous long-distance experience. Much of the route coincides with the North Country National Scenic Trail and features gentle grades, numerous stream crossings on footbridges, and access to charming upstate villages. The trail's highlight sections include the dramatic 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 challenging 100-mile circuit through four counties. The trail is blazed with yellow markers, with some sections also marked with blue North Country Trail blazes.

Permits & Regulations

No permits are required for backpacking the Link Trail. New York State Forest dispersed camping is allowed throughout the route with the following regulations:

Stays under 3 nights with groups smaller than 10 people require no permit
Groups of 10+ or stays exceeding 3 consecutive nights require a free permit from a NYS Forest Ranger
Campsites must be located at least 150 feet from any trail, road, stream, spring, pond, or water body
No camping is permitted within designated Wildlife Management Areas without DEC permission

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—respect posted boundaries and stay on marked trail corridors.

Best Season

May through October offers the most reliable conditions for backpacking the Link Trail. Late April through May brings spring wildflowers and flowing water sources, though expect muddy conditions and possible lingering snow in shaded areas. Blackflies can be intense in May.

September through mid-October provides the optimal weather window with comfortable temperatures (50-70°F days), brilliant fall foliage, minimal bugs, and stable weather patterns. This is peak season for the Finger Lakes Trail system.

Summer (June-August) is passable but features high humidity, temperatures in the 80s, aggressive mosquitoes in the swamp sections, and 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 avoid winter due to limited daylight, freezing temperatures, and difficult navigation.

Water & Resupply

Water sources are abundant along the Link Trail, though reliability varies seasonally. 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) as agricultural runoff affects water quality in 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 makes an ideal 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, offering easy trail access.

Carry 2-3 days of food between towns. No mail drop facilities are specifically catering to backpackers, but standard USPS General Delivery may be arranged to local post offices with advance planning.

Hazards & Challenges

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. Exercise caution on blind corners and carry a headlamp for visibility if hiking near dawn or dusk.

Stream Crossings: While footbridges span major waterways like Chittenango Creek, minor stream crossings may lack bridges. Spring snowmelt (late March through April) can make fords challenging. Water levels peak after heavy rain—wait out storms rather than attempting sketchy crossings.

Navigation: Yellow blazes are generally consistent, but 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—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. No aggressive wildlife concerns.

Getting There

By Air: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is 25-28 miles from Cazenovia, the trail's midpoint—approximately 35-40 minutes by car. Rental cars available at airport. No public transit connects SYR directly to trailheads.

Trailheads with Parking (north to south):

Mount Pleasant Cemetery (N43°03.872' W75°45.266'): Small parking near Canastota, northern access point
Nelson Road (N43°02.558' W75°45.710'): Roadside parking 3.6 miles from Mount Pleasant
Freber Road (N42°59.860' W75°49.694'): Small parking area east of trail start
Clark Street (N42°56.173' W75°50.764'): Parking with kiosk and trail register in Cazenovia
Chenango Street (N42°55.288' W75°50.948'): Southern Cazenovia access with parking and kiosk

Road conditions to all trailheads are passenger-car accessible year-round. No high-clearance vehicles required. Parking is free at all access points but spaces are limited (2-4 cars typically). No formal shuttle services operate on the Link Trail—arrange private shuttles or car spots for through-hikes.

Tips

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 shakedown resupply.

Lean-to Strategy: While the Link Trail itself has limited established camping infrastructure, connecting trails in the loop system feature numerous Adirondack-style lean-tos. These fill quickly on weekends—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. This 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—excellent brewery options and historic charm provide welcome mid-trail resupply atmosphere. Local businesses are hiker-friendly.

Winter Interest: The relatively flat terrain and lower elevation make this a reasonable winter backpacking option for those equipped with proper cold-weather gear. Snowshoe rental available in Syracuse area shops.

Photography: The Cazenovia Gorge section offers the most dramatic scenery—plan to hike this during morning light for best waterfall and creek photography. Fall colors peak late September through early October.

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