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Ithaca College Natural Lands

Difficulty // Easy, Moderate
Activities // Hiking, Bicycling, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 6.9 miles
Features // Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
Route Type // Loop
Estimated hiking time // 2 hrs 18 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Earth
Trail markers // crimson paint, orange blaze, purple blaze, green blaze, blue blaze, gold blaze
Just steps from campus, Ithaca College’s Natural Lands offer a peaceful escape into the outdoors. This network of trails, including the South Hill Nature Trail and Boothroyd Woods Trail, winds through woodlands and meadows perfect for hiking, trail running, or quiet exploration. Along the way, discover an outdoor classroom tour featuring native plants and forest ecology, making every visit part adventure, part learning experience.
White hiking boot on a brown circular background, symbolizing hiking or walking trails.
Hiking
White standard bicycle on a light blue circular background, denoting cycling or bike trails.
Biking
White electric bicycle with a lightning bolt above it on a green circular background, representing e-bike use.
e-Biking
White outline of a horseshoe centered on a gold circular background, symbolizing horseback riding.
Horse
White icon of a person running with motion lines on a dark blue circular background, symbolizing physical activity or trail use.
running
White icon of a kayak with a double-bladed paddle on a brown circular background, representing paddling or kayaking.
Paddling
White crossed skis and ski poles on a light blue circular background, indicating winter sports or skiing.
Skiing
White outline of two crisscrossed snowshoes on a green circular background, representing snowshoeing activity.
Snowshoe
Distance // 0 Miles
Difficulty // Easy

    Parking Locations

    Ithaca College West Trail
    Get Directions

    Ithaca College South Hill Natural Area Blue and Gold Trails
    Get Directions

    Ithaca College Boothroyd Woods Trail
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Ithaca College - Terrace Apts - Get Directions

      Go 1000 ft SE, past Terrace Apts #13 to trailhead on Observatory Access Rd.

    • Ithaca College - Alumni Circle - Get Directions

      To get to South Hill West trails, go west 1 block and cross NY-96B. Go left (south) for 1/4 mile on mowed grass (beneath utility lines – stay off highway) alongside NY-96B to trailhead on right.

    Ithaca College West Trail
    Get Directions

    Ithaca College South Hill Natural Area Blue and Gold Trails
    Get Directions

    Ithaca College Boothroyd Woods Trail
    Get Directions

    • Ithaca College - Terrace Apts - Get Directions

      Go 1000 ft SE, past Terrace Apts #13 to trailhead on Observatory Access Rd.

    • Ithaca College - Alumni Circle - Get Directions

      To get to South Hill West trails, go west 1 block and cross NY-96B. Go left (south) for 1/4 mile on mowed grass (beneath utility lines – stay off highway) alongside NY-96B to trailhead on right.

    Individual Trails Included in Ithaca College Natural Lands

    Autumn forest path covered in fallen yellow and orange leaves, with trees arching overhead and vibrant fall foliage creating a colorful canopy.
    1.2
    Miles

    ICNL Blue Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
    Snowy forest with tall bare trees and snow-covered evergreen branches; faint tracks cross the white ground under a cloudy sky.
    1.6
    Miles

    ICNL Orange Trail

    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Features
    Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
    A winding forest path covered in colorful fallen leaves, surrounded by tall trees with bright orange, yellow, and red autumn foliage under a clear sky.
    1.5
    Miles

    ICNL Gold Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
    Sunlit forest path winding between tall trees with orange, yellow, and red autumn leaves; dappled light and shadows cover the dirt trail.
    0.65
    Miles

    ICNL Green Trail

    Difficulty
    Easy
    Features
    Scenic vistas, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
    Small creek flowing over rocks through dense, green forest with sunlight filtering through trees.
    1.8
    Miles

    ICNL Red Trail

    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Features
    Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash)
    Leafless trees in a forest with brown fallen leaves covering the ground; scattered branches and logs, under a cloudy sky.
    0.22
    Miles

    ICNL Purple Trail

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

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    Current Trail Alerts

    Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area

    • The section of trail in Fall Creek Gorge west of the suspension bridge to Chi Psi is unstable and closed until further notice.

    Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

    • A portion of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail between Stewart Avenue and College Avenue will be closed from June 10, 2025 to early September 2025. The trail between Linn Street (Treman Triangle) up to the Stewart Avenue Bridge is now open.

    Beebe Lake Natural Area

    • Hemlock Gorge trail upstream of Sackett Bridge is closed.

    Black Diamond Trail

    • Starting September 2, 2025 park staff will be performing trail maintenance on the Black Diamond Trail between Perry City Road and Garrett Road. Sections of the trail will be intermittently closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Please use alternate routes during that time. The work is expected to last several weeks.