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The Best Hiking in Ithaca

Looking for the best hiking in Ithaca? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ithaca. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near Ithaca

  • Ithaca, New York

    Cascadilla Falls (9 falls)

    1.09 mi / 299 ft gain
    Cascadilla Falls (9 falls) is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike the Cascadilla Gorge Trail

    5.0
    1.1 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Cascadilla Creek Gorge is the perfect retreat from Cornell campus or downtown Ithaca into serene natural surroundings. This short trail will take you down 400 feet past multiple waterfalls, through lush, green forest and 400 million year old bedrock. It will be tough to believe you didn't hav...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Wells Falls

    0.27 mi / 66 ft gain
    Wells Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    South Hill Recreation Way

    4.59 mi / 151 ft gain
    South Hill Recreation Way is an out-and-back trail that is good for all skill levels located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Potter's Falls

    3.45 mi / 440 ft gain
    Potter's Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Cayuga Lake Inlet Trail

    2.25 mi / 131 ft gain
    Cayuga Lake Inlet Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Buttermilk Falls: Gorge and Rim Trail Loop

    1.54 mi / 449 ft gain
    Buttermilk Falls: Gorge and Rim Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike the Gorge Trail at Buttermilk Falls

    5.0
    1.7 mi / 500 ft gain
    The Gorge Trail starts to the right at the base of the last cascading waterfall you see as you enter the park. From here you begin hiking into the heart of the gorge following Buttermilk Creek to a bridge where you can turn around or continue exploring.The trail features several large cascading f...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Lake Treman Loop via Gorge, Bear, and Rim Trail

    4.57 mi / 630 ft gain
    Lake Treman Loop via Gorge, Bear, and Rim Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike Coy Glen

    5.0
    2 mi / 689 ft gain
    Before starting this hike, please make sure you have permission to access Cornell Botanic Gardens.  Starting at the parking space on Elm St. Extension, follow the trail downhill until you reach the bed of the creek. The creek becomes the trail at this point, and you will need to navigate it appr...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike the Eldridge Wilderness Loop

    2.3 mi / 0 ft gain
    Park in the designated lot directly off Troy Rd and begin the loop at the only trail entering the parking area (the lot only holds about 4-5 vehicles). Because this is a loop trial, when it splits after 200 yards take either route and still end at the parking area. The loop is 2.3 miles long and ...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike the Six Mile Creek Natural Area

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 250 ft gain
    The East Ithaca Recreational Walkway, which traverses the Six Mile Creek Natural Area, can be accessed at the parking areas on Burns Rd. or Coddington Rd. The walkway, which used to be a railroad, runs flat and straight from East to West. From the walkway, other smaller trails can be accessed t...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike the Thayer Preserve Loop at Lick Brook

    0.8 mi / 100 ft gain
    On Townline road, park at the pulloff where you'll see arrows pointing to the "Thayer Loop Trail" and a kiosk describing the trail. This trail is a short trail that travels along the side of Lick Brook overlooking several small cascades and waterfalls. For a section it also passes by a small farm...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Sapsucker Woods and Wilson Trail

    1.42 mi / 108 ft gain
    Sapsucker Woods and Wilson Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Ithaca, New York.
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Run the Sapsucker Woods Trails

    4 mi
    There are two main sets of trails available for walking/running on. The trails connect across a small road and can be made into about a 4 mile loop if you run some of the interior loops as well. The trails are made of either wood-chips or boardwalks, and hold up to some snow and rain very well. T...
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  • Ithaca, New York

    Hike Sweedler Preserve at Lick Brook

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 500 ft gain
    Trailheads and parking are on both Sandbank and Townline Roads, with elevations ranging from 280-330m. Follow the white blazes of the Finger Lakes trail downhill with views of the gorge, and wind through massive oak and maple trees. At the bottom of the hill (about 100m of elevation), you can en...
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