Hiking Trails and Outdoor Recreation in the US National Parks, Forests and Monuments

Finger Lakes State Parks New York Hiking Trails




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This site is designed to provide you a concise organized description of some of the hiking trails in New York State's Finger Lakes National Forest.    Also included are links to other sites offering quality information on New York hiking trails.  Trail descriptions are based on the U.S. National Forest Service information.

Trail Description Directions Distance (one way)
Backbone Trail (easy) The Backbone Trail begins at the Backbone Horse Campground, and traverses the forest through shrub lands, pastures, old roads and many old homestead sites. It intersects the Interloken and Burnt Hill Trails to the south and the No-Tan-Takto trail to the north. It is a relatively flat primitive trail with natural tread, gravel in wet places and mowed paths through fenced pastures. Please close gates behind you. From the north the Backbone trail can be accessed at the corner of Ball Diamond Road and Wardner Corner Road or at the Foster Pond parking lot. Follow the signs and blaze mars. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North. At the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest on the right. Continue for ½ mile and turn onto County Route 2, which is the next asphalt road. Travel for 3.5 miles east. Backbone Campground is on the left, opposite the intersection with Burnt Hill Road. Start hiking following the signs and blaze marks. FrFrom the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left, ½ mile past Wickham’s Plaza is County Route 2, turn left and go 3.5 miles east Backbone Campground. It is located on the left, opposite the intersection with BBurnt Hill Road. Start hiking following the signs and blaze 5.5 miles
Burnt Hill Trail (easy) The Burnt Hill Trail is located on the southern end of the Forest, extending south from the Backbone Trail. It crosses shrub-lands and pastures, and offers many beautiful vistas along the way. It is a primitive trail with a natural tread. It has gravel in wet areas and is mowed through the fenced pastures. Please close gates behind you. The trail intersects the Interloken Trail and the Backbone Trail. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest on the right. The next asphalt road ½ mile past this on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right and go 4.1 miles east past County Route 4 to the View Point parking area (just east of the Blueberry Patch Campground). The trail is located on the south side of the road. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2, turn left and go 4.1 miles east past County Route 4 to the View Point parking area (just east of the Blueberry Patch Campground). The trail is located on the south side of the road. 2.5 miles
Finger Lakes Trail (easy) This portion of the trail is part of a much larger regional trail system. The main Finger Lakes Trail is 559 miles long and connects the Catskills with the Allegheny Mountains, passing through remote areas of the Southern Tier of New York State. Some of this trail crosses private land between sections of the Finger Lakes National Forest; please respect private property rights. This portion of the Finger Lakes Trail is also part of the North Country Trail, a National Scenic Trail that originates in North Dakota and meanders east to Lake Champlain. Skiers use caution in the section between Burnt Hill Road and County Route 4, as there are steep downhill runs. The portion of the trail that crosses Finger Lakes National Forest is primitive in nature with a natural tread and boardwalk over wet areas. Portions of the trail are moderately steep and travel through hardwoods and open areas. There is an ‘Adirondack’ style shelter that is available for camping on a first come – first served basis. Enjoy beautiful vineyards and vistas from this trail, including views of Seneca Lake. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North. At the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, and turn right on Mathews Road ½ mile before the Hector Ranger Station. Go 1 ½ miles east to the Satterly Hill Road, turn right and follow it for 3 miles until you reach the Finger Lakes Trail Sign located on the east side of the road. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1 1/2 mile) is Mathews Road, turn left and go 1 1/2 miles east to the Satterly Hill Road, turn right and follow it for 3 miles until you reach the Finger Lakes Trail Sign located on the east side of the road. 4 miles
Gorge Trail (moderate) The Gorge Trail traverses the Forest through a pine tree and hard wood plantation following the gorge from Burnt Hill Road to Mark Smith Road. It is located on the southern portion of the Forest and is accessed from Burnt Hill Road/Gorge Pond parking area or a parking lot on Mark Smith Road about ¾ miles north of State Highway 79. This trail intersects the Backbone Trail and the Interloken Trail. Gorge pond is located just west of the Gorge Trail trailhead. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. Caution: The Gorge trail is not suitable for skiing due to sharp downhill pitches and limited room to maneuver. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, on the right is the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest. The next asphalt road past this (1/2 mile) on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right and go 3.5 miles east to Burnt Hill Road. Turn right and follow Burnt Hill Road south 2.5 miles until you reach the Gorge Pond parking area located on the east side of the road. (This road is a seasonal use road and is not plowed in the winter). From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2, turn left and go 3.5 miles east to Burnt Hill Road. Turn right and follow Burnt Hill Road south 2.5 miles until you reach the Gorge Pond parking area located on the ast side of the road. (This road is a seasonal use road and is not plowed in the winter). 1.25 miles
Interloken Trail (easy) The Interloken Trail traverses the Forest north to south and is a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail system. It passes through various terrain and vegetation; southern portions are somewhat steeper and more forested; northern portions are flatter and more open through some pastures. Please close gates behind you. This trail can be wet in the spring and fall. Plan a stop at Foster and Teeter Pond areas, or make a shorter loop hike with one of the several intersecting trails. There are outstanding vistas to the west, including views of Seneca Lake. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. Horses are allowed on the trail from the southern end of the trail to the Burnt Hill trail. Mountain bikes and horses are allowed on the north end of the trail between Seneca and Parmenter Rds. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, on the right is the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest. The next asphalt road past this (1/2 mile) on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Follow CR 2 for 4.0 miles until you reach the Blueberry Patch Campground and parking area. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2. Follow CR 2 for 4.0 miles until you reach the Blueberry Patch Campground and parking area. 12
No-Tan-Takto Trail (easy) This trail is nearly all open pastureland traversing the Forest in a North/South direction between the Backbone Horse Campground and Parmenter Road. No-Tan-Takto Trail is accessed from the Blueberry Patch via the Backbone Trail. From the Backbone Horse campground, the trail goes north in to Seneca County and crosses the Interloken Trail at Seneca Road. The trail follows Townsend Road for about ½ mile east, then runs north to the parking area on Parmenter Road. There are outstanding vistas to the east and west, including views of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The trail is relatively flat, with a primitive tread trail with gravel in wet portions and mowed grass through fenced pastures. Please close gates behind you. No camping is allowed within livestock pastures from May 15th to October 31st. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest on the right. The next asphalt road on the right after a ½ mile is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right and follow CR 2 until you reach the Blueberry Patch Campground and parking area. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY). The second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2. Turn left and follow CR 2 until you reach the Blueberry Patch Campground and parking area. 4.5
Ravine Trail (moderate) The Ravine Trail passes through a wonderful hemlock and spruce plantation. As loops around, it crosses a stream in 3 places with a native rock step crossing. It is a primitive trail with a native tread that is steep in places. The Ravine Trail connects with the Interloken Trail on the Burnt Hill Road. Camping along the Ravine Trail must be at least 200 feet away because of the steep slopes. Please practice Leave No Trace thics, such as carry out what you carry in. e Caution: This trail is not suitable for skiing due to sharp downhill pitches and limited room to maneuver. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North. At the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest on the right. The next asphalt road on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right and go 3 miles east to the Ravine Trail parking area located on the south side of the road. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY). The second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2. Turn left and go 3 miles east to the Ravine Trail parking area located on the south side of the road. 1
Southslope Trail (easy) The Southslope trail is located at the south end of the forest, and passes through hardwood and conifer stands. The trail follows a stream up a moderate slope. It is a primitive trail with plank boardwalk over wet areas. This trail intersects the Interloken Trail, which is a portion of the Finger Lakes and North Country Trail Systems. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in. From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, past the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest on the right. The next asphalt road on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right, go 3 miles east and turn right onto County Route 4. Go south 3 miles to Wyckoff Road, turn left and follow Wyckoff Rd. to the Burnt Hill Road. Turn left onto Burnt Hill Road and follow it to the parking area on the left side of the road. Start hiking following the signs and blaze marks. From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2. Turn left, go 3 miles east and turn right onto County Route 4. Go south 3 miles to Wyckoff Road, turn left and follow Wyckoff Rd. to the Burnt Hill Road. Turn left onto Burnt Hill Road and follow it to the parking area on the left side of the road. 3/4 miles