Van Lone Hill Loop #27

Saturday 03/14/2026 10:00 am

Hike rating:

Length – about 6 miles; Pace – Moderate; Terrain – Strenuous

Event/Trailhead location:

Van Lone Hill Loop FLT trailhead on Gulf Road, just off of Schuyler County Road #6 near the Cayuta Lake outlet, south of Cayuta Lake. Use the small parking lot and shoulder parking about 300 yards along Gulf Road (click for map).

Hike Leader:
David Priester

Contact:

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

Hike Details:

We will begin and end at the Gulf Road trail-head. We will hike on the Van Lone Loop, which is comprised of partly main white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail and the orange-blazed trail in the Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area.

The primary natural features of this hike include the beautiful, narrow Cayuta Outlet. Water flow depends on rainfall, so if we have rain, the creek could be running with fast water. The hike also features a nice view of an unnamed creek and a small stand of old growth trees of various species, some up to 150 years old. The route begins on the orange blazed Van Lone Loop trail hiking up Connecticut Hill on woods trail and old roads to Todd Road to meet the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail, then returning back downhill via the Finger Lakes Trail.

The Connecticut Hill Wildlife Managment Area is owned by the people of New York and managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. At 11,645 acres, it is the largest wildlife managment area of its kind in New York State.

Bring at least a liter of water, lunch or snacks, and sturdy, broken-in water resistant hiking boots. Hiking poles are highly recommended. The hike leader will attempt to post a weather report, current conditions and trail conditions the night before the hike.

The Gulf Road trail-head is about a 40 minute drive from Ithaca. For those unsure of their navigation skills, call or email the hike leader for directions.