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Black Diamond Trail

Difficulty // Easy
Activities // Hiking, Bicycling, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing, Running
Distance // 8.4 miles
Features // Lakes visible, Waterfalls & Gorges, Unique wildlife viewing, Dog-friendly (on leash), Accessible
Route Type // Out and Back
Estimated hiking time // 2 hrs 48 mins
Open year-round.
Hunting not allowed.
Surface types // Gravel / Stone Dust
Trail markers // wayfinding signs

Current Trail Alerts

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.

This Rail Trail is part of the old line that was once the flagship passenger line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Known as the Black Diamond Express, this luxury passenger service ran from New York to Buffalo from 1896 until 1959. Recreationists will experience a range of natural landscapes from a towering canopy of mature maple, hemlock, oak, and hickory, to views of pastoral agricultural lands, and dozens of ravines with the sounds of cascading waters all heading for the picturesque Cayuga Lake. This 8.5-mile stone-dust path along the upland slopes of Cayuga Lake makes for an enjoyable family-oriented walk, bike, or even cross-country skiing opportunity from the city limits of Ithaca to the 215 foot waterfall, Taughannock Falls.

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

    Cayuga Waterfront Trail and Black Diamond Trail at Cass Park
    Get Directions

    Bus Stops

    • Cass Park (Summer only) - Get Directions

      Go south across Taughannock Blvd, and continue on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail for 0.5 to intersection with Black Diamond.

    • Buffalo @ Taughannock - Get Directions

      At bus stop, head west for 0.3 miles on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, crossing over the Inlet bridge. At the Y intersection, just before the Rt 89 bridge, follow the trail to the left (west). Continue 0.2 on the path to the trailhead for the Black Diamo

    • Cayuga Medical Center - Get Directions

      From bus stop, walk to bench by SE corner of building; take stairs down, immediately turn right on small path to reach the Hospital Trail. Follow that trail 0.5 mile to the Black Diamond Trail.

    • State/MLK at Inlet Island - Get Directions

      Go 400 ft NW on State/MLK (NY-79), then left onto Floral Ave (Rt 13A), continue 100 ft to short connector to Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Walk 0.5 mi north on the Waterfront Trail to intersection with the Black Diamond Trail.

    Cayuga Waterfront Trail and Black Diamond Trail at Cass Park
    Get Directions

    • Cass Park (Summer only) - Get Directions

      Go south across Taughannock Blvd, and continue on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail for 0.5 to intersection with Black Diamond.

    • Buffalo @ Taughannock - Get Directions

      At bus stop, head west for 0.3 miles on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, crossing over the Inlet bridge. At the Y intersection, just before the Rt 89 bridge, follow the trail to the left (west). Continue 0.2 on the path to the trailhead for the Black Diamo

    • Cayuga Medical Center - Get Directions

      From bus stop, walk to bench by SE corner of building; take stairs down, immediately turn right on small path to reach the Hospital Trail. Follow that trail 0.5 mile to the Black Diamond Trail.

    • State/MLK at Inlet Island - Get Directions

      Go 400 ft NW on State/MLK (NY-79), then left onto Floral Ave (Rt 13A), continue 100 ft to short connector to Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Walk 0.5 mi north on the Waterfront Trail to intersection with the Black Diamond Trail.

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    Current Trail Alerts

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