Cayuga Trail

Total distance: 10.15 miles

Difficulty level(s): easy, moderate, difficult

Print This Page

View on Map

Considered one of the most beautiful foot trails in the Ithaca area, the Cayuga Trail provides the opportunity to follow Fall Creek Gorge from the Cornell campus to the Town of Dryden. The trail, over 10 miles on a "lollipop" route, begins from its west end at the Stewart Avenue bridge, then passes through Fall Creek Gorge, Cornell Botanic Gardens, the Mundy Wildflower Garden, the F.R. Newman Arboretum, and on through Fall Creek and Monkey Run Natural Areas before looping back. The Cayuga Trails Club started building the Cayuga Trail in 1964, and it has been expanded several times. This hike features a rich diversity of wildflowers, magnificent vistas, interesting geological features, and the beauty of very wild sections of Fall Creek.

Trail Sites

The Cayuga Trail encompasses trails made from multiple sites, please select among any of these sites below to learn more.

• Beebe Lake Natural Area
• Cornell Botanic Gardens
• F.R Newman Arboretum
• Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area
• Fall Creek Valley North Natural Area
• Fall Creek Valley South Natural Area
• Monkey Run Natural Area
• Mundy Wildflower Garden

Parking Locations

Multiple parking options may be specific to certain trails within this site.

• Parking Lot : 1 Plantations Rd.
• Parking Lot : 320 Caldwell Dr.
• Parking Lot : 119 Freese Rd.
• Parking lot : 1036 Dryden Rd.
• Parking Lot : 397 Forest Home Dr.
• Parking Lot : 31 Monkey Run Rd.
• Parking Lot : Arboretum Rd.
• Parking Lot : 316 Fall Creek Dr.

Bus Stops

1062 Dryden Rd - Pineridge Apts

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Enter Apts parking lot, follow sidewalk of left (west) building; descend steps between buildings to the Dryden Rail Trail. To reach the Cayuga Trail,turn left, walk 300 feet - trailhead is on far right of wide cleared area.

Dairy Bar

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
On north side of Tower Rd, a short path leads to trail going downslope NE to the Nevins Welcome Center. Head E or W on Cayuga Trail from there.

Dryden Rd @ Mt Pleasant

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go northwest on Freese Rd 600 ft to bridge. Trailhead for Cayuga Trail going east is just before bridge; trailhead for Cayuga Trail going west is 100 ft further, across the bridge and left onto dirt road.

Dryden Rd @ Turkey Hill

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go north on Monkey Run Rd 1000 ft to parking area and trailheads for Cayuga Trail east and west.

Guthrie Ithaca

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go 1/4 mile south on Hanshaw Rd to trailhead at parking area. Walk 1/8 mi on trail to fork - follow either trail to intersect the Cayuga Trail in another 1/8 mi.

Milstein Hall

Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
The trail goes east along University Ave. to the Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area, and west to Beebe Lake.

More Info

Part of interconnected trail system: No

Trail Surface: Earth, Gravel/Stone Dust, Pavement, earth

Trail Markers: orange blaze, none, red blaze

This trail contains a loop.

Hunting is allowed on this trail - use caution.

This trail is open year round.

View on Map