Start & finish at the small road shoulder parking area off of Reep Rd in the town of Lindley (about 1 hour from Ithaca). We will hike for about 4-5 miles over old woods roads or logging roads. There are no marked trails. We will experience significant elevation change of around 1,000 feet.

Additional information about this hike:

There are no blazed trails on this land. Instead, we’ll hike on a network of old logging roads that are mostly clear with occasional deadfall. Be prepared to climb over downed trees and branches.  Although the ground is mostly clear of snow and is frozen, microspikes and hiking poles are recommended. This is a lollipop shaped hike.

The trailhead can be accessed from a small road shoulder parking area off of Reep Road in the town of Lindley. Parking is on the shoulder of Reep Road. Please park downhill from the trailhead on the right side as you come uphill on Reep Road.

Just 10 minutes from downtown Corning, Bad Bear Hill comprises 992 acres of forest and a few small fields.  Acquired in June 2024 by the Finger Lakes Land Trust, the land will eventually be transferred to McCarthy Hill State Forest, which will more than double its size.

Bad Bear Hill acquired its name many years ago when the property owner was planting trees for reforestation and placed plastic protectors around them to guard against deer browsing. Unfortunately, curious bears found that the tree tubes were great chew toys, and pieces were found masticated and scattered throughout the forest. The bears were only doing what bears do, but the name stuck. Many of the young trees were destroyed, though natural regeneration came to the rescue.

For more information and a cool video about Bad Bear Hill, go to the Finger Lakes Land Trust website.