Monkey Run to Dryden Rail Trail Figure 8 #11.1

Saturday 12/06/2025 10:00 am

Hike rating:

Length - 5 miles

Pace - Moderate

Terrain - Moderate

Overall - Moderate

Event/Trailhead location:

Parking is on Monkey Run Rd. in the hamlet of Varna. Turn off NYS Route 366 onto Monkey Run Road directly across the highway from the Spring Water Inn (click for map). Pay attention to the NO PARKING signs for the snowplow turnaround in the winter.

Hike Leader:
Kyra Stephanoff

Contact:

Hike leader contact information will be sent in the email acknowledging that you have registered for this hike.

Hike Details:

Start & finish at the parking area on Monkey Run Road. The hike is a 5 mile, figure 8 loop with each loop being about 2.5 miles long. In the first loop, we hike NE along Fall Creek on a red-blazed trail and then turn right onto a orange-blazed trail, the Cayuga Trail, which joins and coincides with the Dryden Rail Trail for about half a mile before turning off and returning to Monkey Run. Anyone who wishes to do a shorter hike may end their hike here.

In the second loop, we continue heading west on the Cayuga Trail toward Varna. Near Fall Creek the Cayuga Trail continues westward but we will turn right and head eastward. We are now back on the red-blazed trail which will take us back to our cars at Monkey Run.

The Cayuga Trail, which runs along the north and south sides of Fall Creek, 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.

Registration is open!

Register

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Cayuga Trails Club Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Registration Confirmation: You will receive an email if your registration was successful. (Check your spam folder if you don’t find it.)

EMAIL THE LEADER IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING! Please be courteous to your volunteer hike leader and fellow hikers by notifying the leader if you will not be able to join this hike.

ALL HIKERS/TRAIL-WORKERS PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN RISK
Those persons enjoying the Finger Lakes Trail and/or activities sponsored by the Cayuga Trails Club, or the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, accept full personal responsibility for their own well-being, and for the well-being of a minor when acting in the capacity of parent or guardian. Further, participants understand that hiking, snowshoeing, and trail work are rigorous activities, often conducted in rugged outdoor conditions subject to variations in weather and terrain, and which may involve the risk of injury or death. Each participant is fully responsible for their own safety and for selecting activities that are consistent with their physical capabilities.

BY CHECKING THE “ACCEPT RISK” BOX BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SAFETY AND AM PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY AT MY OWN RISK

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