You might think that the winter is a lousy time to go hiking, maybe because of the snow, the cold, or all the winter clothing. However, hiking in the winter can still be enjoyable. Even though many trails are closed in the winter, there are still a number of places to hike in the Ithaca area that are open year-round. Here are some of my favorites:
The Cayuga Trail Network
Including about 8.5 miles of trail, the Cayuga Trail Network begins at the Stewart Avenue bridge, passes along the side of Fall Creek Gorge, then on to the Cornell Botanical Gardens. It ends up in Monkey Run, all without hitting any major roads. This means that the trail offers huge variations in landscape, from cliffs to forests to hills, making for an exciting exploratory experience. The sections that run near the Cornell Arboretum are incredibly beautiful and have little foot traffic, perfect if you want to explore nature alone.
Taughannock Falls State Park
The Taughannock Gorge Trail is one of the busiest trails in Ithaca because of its relatively short length and flat terrain. The trail goes through a gorge, giving you a view of a sloping rock face on one side and a forest on the other. The falls at the end of the hike are what makes it truly worth the walk. The mist from the water falling 215 feet from a stony shelf hits the surrounding gorge and freezes, covering the whole area in a white, craggy sheet of ice. Taughannock has a wide walking surface that rarely gets icy or muddy thanks to lots of trail maintenance, so it is ideal for a relaxing walk or for hanging out with friends. The falls are located about nine miles north of Ithaca on Route 89.
Six Mile Creek Natural Area
Nestled just outside of downtown Ithaca off of Giles Road, this trail runs along a segment of Six Mile Creek. This trail is amazing because even though you’re only a mile or two outside of the city, you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. I visited on a late Sunday afternoon, and was the only person on the trail. On the other side of the creek from the trail, there are small waterfalls which freeze into cascading icicles, and the creek itself usually only partially freezes, creating interesting patterns shaped by the flow of the water. The end of the trail becomes a bit treacherous as it narrows and becomes bordered by a metal pipe, but the view of water flowing over Second Dam is beautiful.
Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve
This trail is located about seven miles outside of Ithaca on Ellis Hollow Creek Road, and is one of the preserves protected by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. The two-mile trail loop network begins near a natural gas compressor station, but quickly enters a mixed-tree forest, depending on the loop trail you take. The large, well-groomed trails slope upwards for half of the hike (but of course comes back down as you loop back), making the terrain interesting for cross-country skiing. A small stream runs through the west side of the preserve, and freezes, allowing you to cross it without getting wet.
Roy H. Park Preserve
This 240-acre nature preserve is located in the Town of Dryden, and has two trails which cut through it. One, the north trail, crosses over a wetland and through an evergreen forest, eventually ending at Hammond Hill State Forest. The other trail, the southern one, is longer and much more varied. Just after leaving the parking area, you enter a meadow that surrounds an evergreen forest. The trail then leads you downwards into a mature forest. A small wooden pavilion marks the end of the trail, but if you venture just beyond it, you can find the headwaters of Six Mile Creek, which snakes through a small riverbed. The preserve is located off of Irish Settlement road near Midline road, and is worth the ten-mile trip from Ithaca.
These are really just a few of the many amazing trails that exist around Ithaca, and a quick google search could help you find hundreds more. If you are interested, visit the Ithaca Trails, the Cornell Natural Areas, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust websites (and http://gofingerlakes.org/) to find trails near you.