Bald Hill Natural Area

Difficulty // Moderate

Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing

Distance // 0.7 miles

Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)

Route Type // Out and Back

Estimated hiking time // 14 mins

Not open year-round.

Hunting allowed, use caution.

Surface types // Earth

Trail markers // none

Wooded trails at Cornell Botanic Gardens Bald Hill Natural Area ascend portions of a very large, contiguous forested area in the southeastern part of Tompkins County. Bald Hill is the only area in the Cayuga Lake Basin where mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is found abundantly at the northern limit of its distribution. The trails here follow an old, abandoned road and provide great opportunities for cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.