Herb Engman Loop

Difficulty // Easy

Activities // Hiking, Snowshoeing

Distance // .6 miles

Features // Unique wildlife viewing, Restrooms available, Open Year-Round

Route Type // Loop

Estimated hiking time // 12 mins

Open year-round.

Hunting not allowed.

Surface types // Earth

Trail markers // None

A gentle loop trail from the West Meadow parking area with moderate elevation gain meandering through a meadow with many native plants. It features the Wind Phone and Reflection Pond plus a spur trail to the Leopold Overlook. The Herb Engman Loop is an excellent trail for observing Bobolinks and other birds in the spring and butterflies in the summer. Benches at the Reflection Pond, Wind Phone and along the northern side of the loop. Start at the West Meadow parking area and follow the sign for the Herb Engman Loop heading east.

A spur trail to the north leads to the Leopold Overlook, one of the highest points in Tompkins County. Along this trail one can sit at the Nature’s Way bench for a beautiful view to the north and then continue to the Leopold Bench. From here, on a clear day, one can see 60 miles to the Endless Mountains in Pennsylvania. This is an in/out trail or you can connect to the Herb Engman Loop (if you follow the trail down a short, fairly steep mowed path south or a more gradual path on the eastern side).