It’s impossible to visit every waterfall Ithaca has in a day, but be sure to include Cascadilla Gorge on your top priority list. With incredible sights to see at Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and numerous other waterfall parks, you could spend every weekend exploring Ithaca’s stunning gorges.
Depending on whether you prefer walking up the steps or down, you can begin your hike through Cascadilla Gorge at the top next to Cornell University’s Schwartz Center or at the bottom at Treman Triangle Park.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
During our visit, we took a shuttle from our hotel (we spent the night as part of a larger trip across New York State) to the top and walked down. However, I can understand why many people start at the bottom, where the smallest falls and cascades are. As you walk up, you are constantly facing the next amazing view, and it keeps getting better with every step!
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As you walk down, the falls are behind you, so you need to stop and turn around to fully appreciate them. With every step, they appear less impressive, but they are amazing no matter how you look at them—it’s purely psychological.
Cascadilla Creek descends 400 feet through Cascadilla Gorge, producing eight waterfalls. Some are beautiful cascades, while others are over 80 feet in height.
The trail is paved with large stone steps, paths, and bridges like many of our New York State parks.
Crumbling ancient shale walls
The Cornell Botanic Gardens takes safety in the gorge very seriously and has created a video and brochure to inform visitors about the dangers within the gorge. Swimming in Cascadilla Creek is strictly prohibited for safety reasons, and their video, “Gorge Safety,” explains why.
View the Gorge Safety Brochure for trail maps and safety information.
The Nathaniel Rand ’12 Memorial Gorge Safety Education Program, Cornell University’s gorge safety educational effort, is named in memory of a student who died in a gorge drowning accident in 2011. The program’s goal is to prevent future tragedies by informing visitors about safe and responsible use of the gorges.
Hike the gorge trail on Google Maps!
More information about Cascadilla Gorge
Cost: Free
Located in Ithaca, 120 minutes / 90 miles from Rochester (get directions)
More information: cornellbotanicgardens.org
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Have you been to Cascadilla Gorge?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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