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An Ithaca classic hike highlighted by 400 ft. gorge walls and amazing views of Taughannock Falls.


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Map Key

1.9

Miles

3.0

KM

Out and Back

631' 192 m

High

427' 130 m

Low

322' 98 m

Up

335' 102 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Family Friendly The path is very nice and will take you to an amazing waterfall.

Overview

This is a classic Ithaca area hike to one of New York's best waterfalls. It is a short and beautiful there-and-back route that follows the bottom of the gorge in Taughannock Falls State Park to a viewpoint of Taughannock Falls, a waterfall that is 30 feet higher than Niagara and the tallest single-drop falls east of the Mississippi. The trail is flat, wide, and very well maintained.

Need to Know

The path is wide and well maintained, but can be very icy in the winter.

Description

The hike begins at the Taughannock Falls Gorge Trailhead parking area on NY 89 about 9.5 miles north of Ithaca on the western side of Cayuga Lake. The trail starts right from the parking lot and immediately splits from the South Rim Trail. The trail will take you first to a lookout point for a mini-waterfall.

The trail then continues along a well-maintained wide path. Parts of it allow you to hike along the flat slabs of rocks along the river which can be quite fun. Other parts of it pass a little farther into the woods, but never too far from the creak as the gorge walls prevent you from leaving the water's edge too far.

The gorge walls will continue to climb higher and higher until they reach nearly 400 feet. At this point, the path will cross a bridge right below the falls offering amazing views. A few more steps will take you to the end of the trail - another great viewpoint of Taughannock Falls which drops 215 feet.

Retrace your steps to return to the parking area.

History & Background

Taughannock Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Mississippi River - 30 feet higher than Niagara Falls.

Contacts

Shared By:

Karl W

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 19 votes

#730

Overall
  4.4 from 19 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#10

in New York

#730

Overall
10 Views Last Month
12,392 Since Feb 23, 2017
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Photos

Taughannock Falls
Sep 30, 2024 near Trumans…, NY
Taughannock Falls is sublime in the autumn.
Feb 24, 2017 near Trumans…, NY
The path near the base of the beautiful Taughannock Falls offers a fantastic look at the water and surrounding amphitheater.
Mar 1, 2017 near Trumans…, NY
Taughannock Falls
Sep 30, 2024 near Trumans…, NY
Taughannock Falls plummets over the sheer cliffside.
Feb 24, 2017 near Trumans…, NY
While they're much smaller than Taughannock, the lower falls near the parking area are still beautiful in their own right.
Feb 23, 2017 near Trumans…, NY

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 9 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 30, 2024
Stewart Carnes
Sep 15, 2024
Zachary Bowen
1.9mi
Aug 24, 2024
Tyler Thieding
Aug 14, 2023
Mona Martin
out and back 1.9mi
Aug 29, 2022
Kevin Maher
2h 00m
Aug 9, 2021
Jeff Peters
Mar 31, 2021
Tiff C
0.8mi — 0h 30m
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