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Ithaca is known for its natural beauty which can be found at any number of waterfalls and gorges throughout the city. It's a gem of Western New York and brings nature lovers from all over to witness stunning cascades and experience some of the best hiking trails in the state. Out of all of these trails, there's only one that leads to a whopping eight waterfalls on the same route.

The Cascadilla Gorge Trail is easily found near Cornell University, and it's a favorite of many avid hikers keen on seeing Ithaca's most beautiful waterfalls. For those interested in cross off some of the city's most scenic waterfalls off their list in one hike, this is the one.

What To Know About the Cascadilla Gorge Natural Area

The interesting thing about the Cascadilla Gorge Trail is that it varies in difficulty from 'easy' to 'moderate' and even 'difficult' in some parts. The trail itself is under two miles, but provides an adequate challenge for all skill levels, regardless of experience. The trail itself bridges the distance between downtown Ithaca and the Cornell University campus, which makes it popular for the locals, college students, and tourists alike. The Cascadilla Gorge is arguably one of the most scenic gorges in New York State, which is a major draw of the area and this trail is the best way to see it.

The iconic trail takes hikers up 400 feet in elevation which is what provides the biggest endurance challenge for hikers who are new to its terrain.

The History Of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail

What also draw visitors to this beautiful Ithaca trail is its history in the area. Along the way, hikers will traverse stone stairways that date back to the 1920s when they were first built. While the steps are considered 'moderately' difficult, there' still more of this trail to explore, including the eight amazing waterfalls that exist along it. For the first one-third of the trail, hikers will have a great view of the gorge, as well as its ancient bedrock walls.

The Waterfalls Found On Ithaca's Cascadilla Gorge Trail

Following the footpath down into the gorge, hikers will undoubtedly be enamored with the scenery before them. Lush woods grow on either side as hikers come up to the first few waterfalls along the route. Each of them ranges in height with the tallest towering about 80 feet above, while the shortest is still eight feet tall. They can be seen along Cascadilla Creek, which is the next stop on this trail after heading down into the gorge from Treman Triangle in Downtown Ithaca.

As hikers reach the crossroads at the bottom of the gorge, they'll be met with the option to continue to a flatter area; this part of the creek is less-traveled but equally scenic. By continuing on this route, hikers will only be adding about a half mile onto their trek overall. Hikers will likely hear these waterfalls before they see them, because even though the trail is not far from Downtown Ithaca, it's far enough away that one might believe they're in the middle of a secluded, dense woodland rather than just outside a popular city.

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Reaching The Cascadilla Gorge Trailhead

To reach the lower trailhead into the gorge, hikers can pick up the trail at Treman Triangle Park, just off Linn Street. There is an upper trailhead, as well, which can be found behind Cornell Schwartz Center for Theatre Arts. Both trails show off the gorge and its stunning waterfalls.

  • Parking: There are some free street spots, and paid parking can be found at the Dryden Road garage.
  • Open: The trail is open during the daylight hours, but is closed from late November until the early spring, when icy conditions make the trail impassable and dangerous.
  • Suggested: All hikers should wear good hiking boots with traction, as conditions around the falls and in the gorge can be slippery and hazardous.

Anywhere a trail leads into a gorge means that there is potential for dangerous accidents. People have lost their lives by not respecting the gorge conditions and the warnings posted. It has become such a problem that the Cornell Botanic Gardens has created a Gorge Safety Video, which should be watched by every hiker before heading down on the Cascadilla Gorge Trail.

The Cascadilla Gorge is arguably the most beautiful spot in all of Ithaca, and it's a trail that has been popular with locals and visitors thanks to the eight magnificent waterfalls that can be found along the way. While hikers should exercise extreme caution, it's a bucket-list trail in this beautiful Upstate city.