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.
Cayuga Trail
Get Directions
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.
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.
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.
Go north on Monkey Run Rd 1000 ft to parking area and trailheads for Cayuga Trail east and west.
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.
The trail goes east along University Ave. to the Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area, and west to Beebe Lake.
Cayuga Trail
Get Directions
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.
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.
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.
Go north on Monkey Run Rd 1000 ft to parking area and trailheads for Cayuga Trail east and west.
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.
The trail goes east along University Ave. to the Fall Creek Gorge Natural Area, and west to Beebe Lake.
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