Mohawk Towpath Byway

An accordion-playing patriot welcomes visitors to a beautifully restored Dutch home in the Schenectady Stockade District.

Boats rest along the harbor wall near the Lock 2 Park in Waterford.

A woman paddles a canoe up the Mohawk River amidst a colorful array of fall foliage.

From Peebles Island, the Mohawk River creates a beautiful contrast to the red and orange trees lining the riverbank.

On Peebles Island, a beautiful mix of gold and green serves as a shimmering reminder of the majesty of autumn.

A group of avid birdwatchers enjoys a peaceful afternoon on a trail laden with fall foliage.

Shaded trees and forested riverbanks frame the water of the Mohawk River and Erie Canal as they run through the region near Rexford.

This group demonstrates the strength of the Squire Whipple architecture bridge that spans the entrance to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve.

The white columns of the Waterford museum have stood since 1830. The museum contains several artifacts from canal history.

The waters of the Mohawk River churn into white over the ridge at Cohoes Falls.

A man and his dog walk beneath bare branches on a clear snowy day. A century ago there would have been no trees or brush on the right side of this towpath. The bank of the Erie Canal was clear for boat tow lines.

This photo shows the early years of the Erie Canal as its stone aqueduct passes through Rexford.

Horses once used these well-worn towpaths to haul barges along the canal, but today they form a network of trails throughout the region.

Automobiles from many decades line up outside Grooms Tavern, an important historic site in Clifton Park.

The white of the Mohawk River shines on this bright autumn day in Peebles Island State Park.