There is something magic about our gully, glen and gorge trails. They call out to us from their deep, dark, cool, and quiet caverns. They lead us along their timeline, exposing history as their waterfalls walk backwards. Characterized by their crumbling Devonian-shale walls, crater-like Tully Limestone creek beds, and unique wild flowers, plants, and trees, gorges feel other-worldly at times. To re-purpose John Muir’s feelings about mountains, “The gorge is calling, and I must go.”
Start checking websites in mid-May for gorge trails to open for the season. New York State Parks department tries to open by Memorial Day ones that have been closed for the winter. The ability to open them to the public sooner depends on the weather, water-flow, the amount of repairs needed to ensure public safety, and debris that needs to be cleared.
If you haven’t already, check these five spectacular gorge trails off your list!
1. Letchworth
Gorge Trail #1 is 7 miles start to finish.
You do not need to start in one specific spot as it passes through some of the most popular areas and overlooks. You could also park a second vehicle at the end to transport you back to where you started. Stairs and steep cliff edges make this a challenging hike, albeit spectacular!
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2. Taughannock Falls
Gorge Trail is .75 miles one-way.
Taughannock is one of the only gorge trails open in winter. It is also one of the flattest walks, unlike many of the other gorge trails that use stairs to navigate the stark changes in elevation.
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3. Watkins Glen
Gorge Trail is 1.5 miles one-way.
The trail can be wet with spray (wear good walking shoes/boots and bring a pair to change into), and the majority of the walk is up/down rock stairs (800 steps!) The elevation rise from the Main Entrance to the North Entrance is 520′. That said, it’s also one of the most transcending, awe-inspiring, and wondrous displays of nature’s beauty on Earth! Many people walk the gorge one way and take the shuttle (when available) back to their car.
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4. Stony Brook
Gorge Trail is 1.4 miles in-and-out.
The walkway is a combination of shale, gravel, and stairs. Stony Brook has a similar feeling to the other Finger Lakes gorge parks while being a bit more manageable. Plan to walk in-and-out on the same trail.
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5. Cascadilla
Gorge Trail is .5 miles, or 1 mile in-and-out.
You can start your hike through Cascadilla Gorge at the top next to Cornell University’s Schwartz Center, or at the bottom at Treman Triangle Park. Starting from the bottom of the gorge allows you to face the waterfalls as you walk. The smallest falls and cascades are toward the bottom. As you are walking up, you are continually facing the next amazing view, and they keep getting better with every step!
