Explore Ithaca: Finger Lakes Hiking Guide

Every summer, travelers flock to the Finger Lakes region to experience natural beauty, charming small towns, and abundant outdoor adventures. One of the top Finger Lakes hiking destinations can be found in Ithaca, offering four state parks within five miles of downtown! Start your journey at La Tourelle and access the Buttermilk Falls State Park trail system right from the resort. Whether you are looking for family-friendly trails or strenuous hikes to secret waterfalls, there is a route for everyone!

Finger Lakes Hiking Around Ithaca, NY

Cornell Botanical Gardens Hiking Trails

The Cornell campus offers 11 natural areas with fantastic hiking trails for the public to explore! Trails wind through various ecosystems, including gorges, old-growth forests, wetlands, meadows, prairies, and swamp forests. The most popular route is the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, a short hike past six scenic waterfalls!

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Visit Buttermilk Falls State Park and choose from six hiking trails that wind through a gorge, woodlands, natural pools, and meadows. The .65-mile Buttermilk Falls Gorge Trails offers a short hike that winds through a variety of landscapes and several waterfalls. You can combine this route with the Rim Trail to see views of Buttermilk Falls from above. 

Robert H. Treman State Park

Robert H. Treman State Park offers six Finger Lakes hiking trails that take you past a dozen cascading waterfalls, rugged beauty, and historic sites. Explore nine miles of hiking trails, such as the Robert H. Treman Gorge Trail, which takes you to the 115-foot Lucifer Falls. You can also pick up five miles of the Finger Lakes Trail here!

Taughannock Falls State Park

Explore Taughannock Falls State Park this summer and hike to one of the most impressive natural attractions in the Northeast. Witness Taughannock Falls plunge 215 feet into Cayuga Lake on the Taughannock Falls Gorge Trail. You can also explore the North and South Rim trails here for more views of this incredible waterfall!

Watkins Glen State Park

Make the 40-minute drive to Watkins Glen State Park and hike through some of the most impressive gorges in the Finger Lakes! The Watkins Glens Gorge Trail is a gorgeous two-mile trail that takes you past 19 waterfalls over 800 stone steps. 

Stay at Our Finger Lakes Hotel in Ithaca

After exploring scenic Finger Lakes hiking trails, return to La Tourelle for relaxation and rejuvenation. Let your aches and pains melt away at our August Moon Spa, savor unique dishes at The Bistro, and relax in our Ithaca accommodations. Choose from one of our 54 rooms and suites, and plan your Finger Lakes getaway today!