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.”
Check these seven spectacular gorge trails off your list!
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.
1. Letchworth
Castile
Gorge Trail #1 is 7 miles one way.
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 end-to-end hike, albeit spectacular!
2. Taughannock Falls
Trumansburg
Gorge Trail is 1.5 miles in-and-out.
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.
3. Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen State Park
Gorge Trail is 1.5 miles up the Gorge Trail, 1.5 miles back along the Rim Trails.
The trail can be wet with spray, and the majority of the walk is up 800 stone steps! The elevation rise from the Main Entrance to the Upper Entrance is 520-feet.
That said, it’s also one of the most transcending, awe-inspiring, and wondrous displays of nature’s beauty on Earth!
4. Stony Brook
Dansville
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.
5. Grimes Glen
Naples
Gorge Trail is two miles in-and-out to the second waterfall. The first fall is about .5 miles from the parking lot.
The glen is public, free, and you are encouraged to walk in the water. Most people look forward to wading the creek to the first and second falls—both 60-foot cascades.
Grimes Glen is a place where common sense and instinct are your compass. Heavy rain and snow-melt will add complexity to this in-and-out hike, but also powerful beauty.
21. Fall Brook Gorge
Geneseo
Fall Brook Gorge in Geneseo represents one of the nation’s finest exposures of Upper and Middle Devonian Age strata with significant fossil remains and a cap-rock waterfall. It’s also a National Natural Landmark.
Though private property, Trail Otter offers exclusive two-hour, one-mile guided hikes in the gorge. From their website, “Hike to a beautiful sixty foot waterfall via its stream, walking through a steep gorge.
“This is rated moderately difficult – requiring balance and appropriate footwear to traverse. There may be water in the gorge, so waterproof footwear is highly recommended. Ankle-twisting rocks, slippery creek banks and large rocks to navigate.”
6. Fall Brook Gorge
Geneseo
Fall Brook Gorge in Geneseo represents one of the nation’s finest exposures of Upper and Middle Devonian Age strata with significant fossil remains and a cap-rock waterfall. It’s also a National Natural Landmark.
Though private property, Trail Otter offers exclusive two-hour, one-mile guided hikes in the gorge. From their website, “Hike to a beautiful sixty foot waterfall via its stream, walking through a steep gorge.
“This is rated moderately difficult – requiring balance and appropriate footwear to traverse. There may be water in the gorge, so waterproof footwear is highly recommended. Ankle-twisting rocks, slippery creek banks and large rocks to navigate.”
7. Cascadilla Gorge
Ithaca
Gorge Trail is .5 miles one way (up or down).
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. Where you start, like Watkins Glen, depends on your preference for walking up steps or down.
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!
Ready to try a few more gorge trails?
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Where are your favorite gorge trails?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!