New York - Gorge Trail

Trail Description:

The Gorge Trail traverses the Forest through a pine tree and hard wood plantation following the gorge from Burnt Hill Road to Mark Smith Road. It is located on the southern portion of the Forest and is accessed from Burnt Hill Road/Gorge Pond parking area or a parking lot on Mark Smith Road about � miles north of State Highway 79. This trail intersects the Backbone Trail and the Interloken Trail. Gorge pond is located just west of the Gorge Trail trailhead. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in.

Hiking the Gorge Trail:

The Gorge trail is not suitable for skiing due to sharp downhill pitches and limited room to maneuver.

No horses, mountain bikes, motorized vehicles or skiing

Specific Hiking and Trail Information for the Gorge Trail
Length of Trail: 2 miles or less
Estimated Difficulty (Forest Service Estimate): Intermediate
Length of time needed to hike the trail: 1 - 1.5 hours
This is only an estimate- and it may vary depending
your abilities as well as local conditions

Travel Information
Trailhead Directions:

From the South, take State Route 17 (I-86 in some areas) to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North, at the Fourth St. intersection go approximately 9 miles north, on the right is the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National Forest. The next asphalt road past this (1/2 mile) on the right is Schuyler County Route 2. Turn right and go 3.5 miles east to Burnt Hill Road. Turn right and follow Burnt Hill Road south 2.5 miles until you reach the Gorge Pond parking area located on the east side of the road. (This road is a seasonal use road and is not plowed in the winter).

From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (414 south to Hector, NY) the second asphalt road on the left past Wickham�s Plaza (1/2 mile) is County Route 2, turn left and go 3.5 miles east to Burnt Hill Road. Turn right and follow Burnt Hill Road south 2.5 miles until you reach the Gorge Pond parking area located on the east side of the road. (This road is a seasonal use road and is not plowed in the winter).