Registration closed April 1st.

Each year, the FLTC offers a series of hikes across a different county along the Finger Lakes Trail. Completed year after year, the County Hike Serieis will eventually lead hikers over about 584 miles of trail to complete an End-to-End Hike of the Main Fnger Lakes Trail. This year we are excited to be moving across beautiful and scenic Tompkins County!

The Series kicked off on April 16, with subsequent hikes on May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20 and September 17. The Series concludes during the FLTC’s 60th Anniversary Fall Weekend Festival at the Grayhaven Motel in Ithaca. The longest hike is approximately 11.2 miles and the shortest is approximately 8.3 miles.

There are TWO options for participation. Group Hikes are guided by experienced Hike Leaders and include bus service from the end to the starting point of each hike and a SAG (Supply and Gear) Wagon with snacks and refreshments along the way; or complete the hikes on your own with Independent Hikes.

Whether you hike independently or with a group, your hikes must be completed by the end of the year to earn your Tompkins County Cross-County Hike Series patch. Those who have all their hikes completed during or prior to the Fall Weekend Festival will receive their patches at a special awards ceremony following dinner on Saturday night during Fall Weekend.

Participants in the Group Hikes are split into groups based on how fast or slow they move, and each group is led by an experienced leader. Whether you are a trail runner or like to stop and smell all the flowers, there will be a group to fit your desired pace!

Buses pick up participants at the end point in the morning and drive them to the starting point of each scheduled hike. Near the middle of the hike, a SAG (Supply and Gear) wagon is set up so hikers can refresh themselves with drinks and snacks. Hikers may choose to stop for the day at the SAG Wagon, completing a “half-hike,” and make arrangements with other half-hikers to complete the other half on another day, or to complete it on their own.

The County Hike Series is one of the FLTC’s most popular hiking events, and there truly is an option for everyone! We are thrilled to be able to offer it once again this year, and we’re excited for our travels across Tompkins County to conclude at our 60th Anniversary Fall Weekend Festival! We’ll be honoring some of the founders and early leaders of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference with named hikes throughout the Series, and we look forward to sharing that history with you.