Brief Hike Details

This is a lollipop shaped loop hike of 6 miles rated moderate. 

We will hike several linked trails in Cornell’s Newman Arboretum and Fall Creek Natural Area, the primary trail being the Cayuga Trail.

The hike begins and ends at the Caldwell Road parking area of Cornell Botanic Gardens. 

Dress in layers for the weather, wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and a snack or sandwich.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leader at the email address above.

Tonight’s adventure in hiking brings us to Cornell’s Newman Arboretum and the eastern end of the Cayuga Trail. We’ll meet at the Caldwell Road parking area for Cornell Botanic Gardens, intersection of Caldwell and Forest Home Drive.

After a short hike through the arboretum, we head upstream along Fall Creek, across the one lane bridge on Freese Road and further on the orange and red trails. After completing the loop, we will retrace our steps and head back to the cars. This is a lollipop shaped route of 6.3 miles. There are a few ups and downs but nothing dramatic.

The Cayuga Trail was first cut in 1964. Since then, it has been rerouted, enhanced and lengthened many times. Today it is over 10 miles of campus trail that is probably the most heavily trafficked hiking trail in Tompkins County. Trail maintenance and improvement is shepherded by a productive collaboration of our club’s Trails Committee and the trusty staff of Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Dress in layers for the weather, wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and a snack or sandwich.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leader at the email address above.