East Ithaca Recreation Way
Total distance: 3.55 miles
Difficulty level(s): easy
The East Ithaca Recreation Way is mostly built on the former railroad bed of the Elmira Cortland & Northern Railroad from 1869. This multi-use trail is a great place to go walking, biking, jogging, and birding. Horseback riding is permitted along the trail section from Maple Avenue to Game Farm Road. Being close to Cornell, it is a heavily used commuter trail and provides easy-access to campus (winter maintenance provided). The northern section of the trail (Game Farm Road to Maple Avenue) runs through the Cornell Botanic Gardens Upper Cascadilla Creek Natural Area which includes a demonstration wetland and the MacDaniels Nut Grove. On the southernmost section of the trail (Pine Tree Road to Park Lane), you can enjoy traveling through the Pine Tree Wildlife Preserve, the East Ithaca Nature Preserve where a small gazebo provides great views to the west, the Town's Tudor Park, and Cornell Botanic Gardens Mitchell Street Hawthorn Thicket.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 42.317397
Longitude: -76.477626
Parking Locations
Multiple parking options may be specific to certain trails within this site.
- Parking Lot : Parking off Game Farm Road next to the entrance to the trail, along Maple Avenue, and in a large Parking Lot off Snyder Hill Road and on adjacent streets
- Street and Parking Lot : Parking off Game Farm Road next to the entrance to the trail, along Maple Avenue, and in a large Parking Lot off Snyder Hill Road and on adjacent streets
Bus Stops
Pine Tree @ Honness
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Humphreys Service Building
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Go 1000 ft SE on Dryden Rd, turn left on Maple Ave, continue 600 ft to trailhead.
Maple @ Veterans - Maplewood Apts
Directions to Trailhead from Outbound Bus Stop
Bus stop is on trail
Trail Attributes
- Good for Biking
- Good for Hiking
- Good for Running
- Good for Cross-Country Skiiing
- Good for Snowshoeing
- Scenic Vistas
- Unique Wildlife Viewing
- Picnicking allowed
More Info
Part of interconnected trail system: Yes
Trail Surface: Pavement
Trail Markers: no
Use of firearms for deer hunting is not allowed. Bow hunting may be allowed. BE SAFE: See the specific trail owner/steward’s website for the most up to date details
This trail is open year round.