Ithaca’s gorges. Some are less traveled than others.

Did you know that Tompkins County has over 150 waterfalls and gorges?! While some of our spectacular natural areas such as Taughannock Falls, Upper Treman Glen or the Ithaca Falls (not to mention Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake) are certainly worth the hype, why not try explore of the more lesser traveled spots?

Tip:

The IthacaTrails app is an invaluable resource for locating the specific type of path, trail or walk you’re after

Some of my favorite local spots include Edwards Cliff’s Preserve in Lansing - a hidden gem – owned by the Cornell University Plantation system, it features dramatic cliff-top lake views and a spectacular waterfall. Turn right at the kiosk, and take your first right for stunning waterfall. Lick Brick Falls is another solid option for a relatively easy forest walk that leads to a stunning waterfall.

scoping out the falls at Edwards Cliffs preserve

There are some waterfalls you can view without leaving your car:: drive by the Ithaca Falls on Falls St., or Buttermilk State Falls, and you can also drive to the Taughannock Falls Overlook to the interpretive center parking lot and walk a few steps to see the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi - yes, taller than Niagara Falls!

One of my favorite hikes in Ithaca is Monkey Run. There are several places to park and access the trail, so use your GPS to choose one. I park at the trailhead on Monkey Run Road and follow the 3 mile loop that meanders along the creek bed and gently climbs uphill to a dramatic vista before winding back around to a Cornell research field.

one of many dramatic vistas along the Monkey Run trail

Cascadilla Falls are right in town and include a trail that takes you from downtown to Cornell’s Collegetown area. And the Six Mile Creek Wildflower Preserve is also an easy walk from the Ithaca Commons and includes a stream where you can swim and a dramatic waterfall across the street. Or, view it from above: there is an extensive paved trail system called South Hill Recreation Trail with access points at may areas around the south side of town that includes a woodsy hike right in the city of Ithaca around the city’s water reservoir.

view of the reservoir as part of the South Hill Rec trail system in the city of Ithaca

The Finger Lakes Land Trust offers a seemingly endless array of natural areas throughout the Finger Lakes - take a woodsy stroll through the Stevenson Family Forest Preserve walk in Enfield, or the Ellis Hollow nature preserve. For a more rigorous hike, check out Ithaca’s Fischer old growth forest - the oldest hemlock forest in the area.

My go-to spot for a daily walk in the woods is the Fall Creek Trail System and Cornell Plantations which offering lots of terrain to explore, and is right in town. Another easy but satisfying trail system is to be found at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, featuring flat, woodsy trails and wetlands with lots of birdwatching. See if you can find the Andy Goldworthy sculpture. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail is great option - and don’t miss walking through Stewart Park’s bird sanctuary trails as part of the experience - the trail starts near the former site of the Chamber of Commerce on East Shore Drive and winds along the south end of the lake to Cass Park on the West Side. Walk, bike, rollerskate, rollerblade, push a wheelchair or stroller, etc.

one of many picturesque spots you’ll encounter at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology

For a more rigorous hike, visit Hammond Hill State Forest or Connecticut Hill, but don’t go without downloading a map, it’s easy to get lost in both of these places within the extensive overlapping trail systems.