Hike & Bike Guide

FINGER LAKES

Hike&Bike

Countrysides

GUIDE

R

ecreation, relaxation, tasting and touring – it’s all here! Discover some of the hidden gems while exploring Finger Lakes Countrysides. Go for a hike, walk our historic downtowns, or grab your bike and explore the quaint country roads. Lakes, vineyards, farmland, and endless scenic beauty offer a gorgeous backdrop for a delightful experience. Here you will find the 10 best hike, walk, and bike trails that Yates County has to offer.

A reminder to hike smart!

Be prepared with proper gear and attire, dress in layers and wear comfortable footwear. Keep in mind that throughout the Finger Lakes there are many locations that do not have cell phone service.

Plan ahead with a map and compass.

Use these QR codes throughout to find more information.

To use open your camera and point to the square.

Front Cover: Yates County Chamber of Commerce Location: Seneca Mill Falls, Keuka Outlet Trail

Hi

KEY

Contents

ike&Bike

Skill: Easy

Moderate

Difficult

Keuka Outlet Trail

4

Keuka Lake State Park

6

High Tor Wildlife Management Area 8 Italy Hill State Forest

10

Yates Community Center

12

Spring Street Park

14

Finger Lakes Land Trust

18

Finger Lakes Museum

20

Be Aware

22

Biking

24

Bluff Point Tour

26

Finger Lakes Countrysides

28

Looking to expand your journey

30

Hiking

Biking

Fishing

Pet Friendly

Photo: Instagram @AlanTroidlPhotography

Keuka Outlet Trail Keuka Lake Outlet Trail

54 Bentley Rd.

14A

Penn Yan North Ave.

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Cherry St. Ea st Ma in St .

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364

Miles between access points

4

1. Ball fields

3. Birkett Mills

4. Cherry Street

6. Milo Mills

—

0.9

1.2

2.4

Rd .

Outlet Rd.

Length: 6.6 miles one way

T

he Keuka Outlet Trail lies between the villages of Penn Yan and Dresden. A multi-purpose trail connecting Keuka and Seneca Lakes along the outlet creek.

as you are looking at the field. (Trailhead in Dresden) Follow Route 54 east to Dresden. After crossing Route 14, bear right onto Seneca Street. The trailhead and parking lot are on the right. (Other access points: Fox Mills, the Lions Parking Lot east of Seneca Millsite, Ridge Road/ May Mills on Outlet Road, and Hopeton Road, off Rt. 54 west of Dresden.)

Directions: (Trailhead in Penn Yan) From Main Street, turn west onto Elm Street (Route 54A) and follow to the community ball field on the left. The trail access is behind the vendor booth, to your left,

keukaoutlettrail.org 14

Dresden

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Access Points

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Rd

7

Hopeton Rd.

1 . Ball Field 2. Keuka St. 3. Birkett Mills 4. Cherry St. 5. Fox’s Mill 6. Milo Mills 7. Seneca Mills 8. Cascade Mills & Falls 9. Hopeton Mills 10. Dresden Trailhead

9

8

KEY

Cascade Mills Falls

Falls or rapids

Seneca Mills Falls

Trail toilets

N 0

miles

1

Picnic area

7. Seneca Mills and Falls

8. Cascade Mills and Falls

9. Hopeton Rd.

10. Dresden Trailhead

3.6

4.9

6.1

7.0

5

Keuka Lake State Park

T

his New York State Park features 621 acres and is located on the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake. There are 8 hiking trails throughout the park. Begin or end your hike with a picnic view of Keuka Lake.

Many playground areas are found throughout the park.

Directions: Route 14A, 6 miles west of Penn Yan. On the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake.

6

Photo: tlyn_17

parks.ny.gov/parks/keukalake

Campground

Playground

Trail color varies

OT - Orange Trail - Orange - 1.1 Miles

Historic Cemetery

Pump Station

Unmarked Trail

PT - Purple Trail - Purple - 0.4 Miles

Comfort Station

Reservable Picnic Shelter

Unpaved Road

First Aid Station

Swimming Area

Buildings

Garbage/Recycle

Ticket Booth

Parking

Maintenance Area

Volleyball Court

State Park

Park Office

Water Tower

Water

:

3560 Pepper Road, Bluff Point, NY 14478RT - Red Trail - Red - 0.4 Miles VT - Vineyard Trail - 1.3 Miles (315) 536-3666 WT - White Trail - White - 0.5 Miles

YT - Yellow Trail - Yellow - 0.4 Miles

MIL ES 0

No Cost in off season.

Cost during peak season.

¼

Map produced by NYSOPRHP GIS Bureau, November 22, 2019.

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Keuka Lake State Park

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Park Office: (315) 536-3666 Finger Lakes Regional Office: (607) 387-7041 Park Police: (607) 387-7081 In Case of Emergency: 911 OT

3560 Pepper Road, Bluff Point, NY 14478 Legend

Trails

BT- Blue Trail - Blue - 0.4 Miles

Bathhouse

Parking Lot

Roads

Boat Launch

Picnic Area

State Highway

GT - Green

Campground

Playground

Trail color varies

OT - Orange Trail - Orange - 1.1 Miles

Historic Cemetery

Pump Station

Unmarked Trail

PT - Purple Trail - Purple - 0.4 Miles

Comfort Station

Reservable Picnic Shelter

Unpaved Road

RT - Red Trail - Red - 0.4 Miles

First Aid Station

Swimming Area

Buildings

VT - Vineyard Trail - 1.3 Miles

Garbage/Recycle

Ticket Booth

Parking

WT - White Trail - White - 0.5 Miles

Maintenance Area

Volleyball Court

State Park

YT - Yellow Trail - Yellow - 0.4 Miles

Park Office

Water Tower

Water

00 Trail 12

- Green - 1.2 Miles

ote

X in

g

Please be considerate of other park users.

Please report any accident or incident immediately to park police.

All boundaries and trails are shown as approximate.

Be aware of changing trail conditions.

: MIL ES 0

¼

Map produced by NYSOPRHP GIS Bureau, November 22, 2019.

Z̄ 54A

7

HighTor

Photo: Kevin Koek

Wildlife Management Area

A

New York State recreation land, High Tor Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is approximately 6,800 acres with many steep wooded hills, gullies, eroded cliffs, and wetlands.

There are many trails throughout the WMA, a local favorite is Conklin Gully Falls trail. This heavily trafficked out and back trail features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers.

8

Directions: Conklin Gully is in the WMA at the south end of Canandaigua Lake, just north of the town of Naples.

The easiest way to access the Gully is via a parking lot on RT 245 (Rushville Rd), just before Parish Hill Rd. dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24439.html

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Woodville Boat Launch

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Canandaigua Lake

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Symbols on the map in blue Fri bo facilities. indicate accessible lin

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Wildlife Management Area

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HIGH TOR

Walton Poin t Dr

Length: 3.4 miles

1

controlled access Dike Trail Wildlife Management Area Other Fields on WMAs No Hunting 700

1 600 0.5 0 2100 0 0 19 Miles 80 01

1

2000

9

Italy Hill State Forest

Directions: To gain access to this forest

from the Prattsburg area, proceed northerly along County Route 122 (Prattsburgh-Italy Hill Road) to the hamlet of Italy Hill. Continue straight ahead, following Pulver Road, to access the southern end of the forest. fingerlakestrail.org

10

Photo: Instagram @LiveHappyTravelOften

I

taly Hill State Forest is located on the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail and is located ten miles north of the hamlet of Prattsburgh.

Explore rustic experiences due to its limited amount of development.

Length: 11.2 miles

Italy Hill State Forest

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Yates Community Center

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xplore the trail around the property of the Yates Community Center. In the fall, this trail system is used for school cross-country competitions due to its 3.1 mile course of scenic woodlands.

Directions: Located on North Main Street adjacent to

Wellspring Fellowship. yatescc.org

12

Length: 3.1 miles for the entire course

Sculpture by local artist Sam Castner (red course) N o r th

Start

.

Finish

Walk course in the following order: White, Blue, Red White, Blue, Green

. .

13

Length: 0.7 Miles per lap

Millard Park A small park located in the Village of Dundee with many benches, views of Big Stream (an important Seneca Lake tributary), covered seating area, tables and grill. Nearby you will find many wineries along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

A perfect place to have a lawn picnic.

14

Directions: Off of Route 14A in Dundee, turn west onto Spring Street and follow 2 blocks to the parking lot. Trail head is adjacent to the pavilion. Major portions of the trail run alongside Big Stream with a segment that encompasses the baseball diamonds, loops through the blackberry patch and returns back to the main trail.

“In addition to an abundance of boating, fishing and water sports, the Finger Lakes offer challenging hikes through stunning state parks that boast dramatic rocky gorges and cascading waterfalls.

But the region also provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation, with scenic drives through wine and farm country.”

- U.S. News

15

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Credits: Garces Design photos ; Instagram photos by: @flxhiker; @KeukaByDrone

17

Photo: Andy Zepp

Finger Lakes Land Trust

E

xplore over 35 nature preserves created by the Finger Lakes Land Trust and discover the best outdoor adventures. You will find the Botsford Nature Preserve in Yates County.

The 26-acre Botsford Nature Preserve protects 2,500 feet of this impressive gorge including a half mile of frontage on Big Gully Creek. The preserve features streamside woodlands and open meadows that are reclaiming an area used as a gravel mine until 2003. A 0.3-mile hiking trail leads visitors through grassland, upland forest, and to the gorge itself from a parking area off Hemlock Road. A hike to Big Gully yields glimpses of scenic

18

waterfalls, towering shale cliffs, and mature hemlock and hardwood trees. The flat beds of shale are interrupted by glacial “erratics”—boulders deposited by the last glacial advance. It’s a fascinating walk that is possible at the height of summer when the creek level is low.

Directions: From Branchport, take Route 29 north/Guyanoga Road for two miles.

At the intersection with Hemlock Road, make a left turn to find the parking area on your left. fllt.org/preserves/botsfordnature-preserve/

Length: 0.3 Miles per lap

The Finger Lakes Land Trust has formally opened its 26-acre Botsford Nature Preserve in Yates County. The preserve is a gift from Jerusalem residents Art and Kay Wilder who donated the land in 2019.

The property contains a half mile of frontage on Big Gully Creek—a tributary to Keuka Lake that has carved a three mile long gorge.

19

Photo: Finger Lakes Museum

Finger Lakes Museum

N

estled in the quiet hamlet of Branchport, sits the evolving Finger Lakes Museum (FLM), which offers public access to Keuka Lake via Sugar Creek and hiking through the Towsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve.

The 13-acre campus along Sugar Creek, with interpretive signs, timber frame lean-tos, the Creekside Center canoe and kayak livery, and an ADA accessible launch/ dock. Explore hiking the maintained trails, bird watching and finish at the boardwalk.

At the end of the boardwalk is a beautiful 20

octagon pavilion overlooking Keuka Lake, constructed in a joint effort between the FLM Advanced Timber Frame Class and a local high school.

Directions: Museum Parking - From Branchport, take Route 29 northeast and turn right onto School Road. Wetland area parking – From Branchport, take Route 54A South for 0.4 mile and turn right onto Townsend Road. Enter the preserve at the timber frame. fingerlakesmuseum.org

3369 Guyanoga Road Branchport, NY 14418 Boardwalk Length: 1 Mile and Octagon Pavilion

Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve

Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve Welcome to the 16 acre wetlands, complete with 4 walkable trails to explore, Welcome to the 16 acre wetlands, complete a 200ft boardwalk and an octagon pavilion on Keukawith Lake.4 walkable trails to explore, a 200ft boardwalk and an octagon pavilion on Keuka Lake

54A Use the map to plan your route and enjoy!

Trail #1: Gnome#4 Trail - .05 miles Trail #2: PaintedSugar Rock Trail - .03 miles Trail #3: Scavenger Trail - .09 miles Creek Trail #4: Sugar Creek Trail Trail - .34 miles bridge

#3 Scavenger Trail

#1 Gnome Trail

State Rte. 54A

parking #2 Painted Rock Trail

Sugar Creek

bridge

#4 Sugar Creek Trail

Townsend Road

Townsend Road

parking

#3 Scavenger Trail

alk agon n

ldlife Preserve

e with 4 walkable trails to explore, n on Keuka Lake.

Boardwalk and Octagon Pavilion 21

Be Aware NYS Dept of Health

I

n NYS, you may encounter Deer ticks, Lone Star ticks, and Dog ticks.

Each of these ticks can spread diseases that can cause serious chronic illnesses. Not all ticks carry bacteria or parasites that can make you sick, but as the diseases become more common to NYS, it is important to prevent all tick bites. Become aware of mosquitos as well while adventuring. In addition to the annoying itch a mosquito bite causes, there are several serious diseases that can be transmitted by a mosquito bite.

In NYS, West Nile virus is a more common cause of illness from a mosquito bite.

To avoid ticks and mosquitos, wear long sleeves and pants.

You are encouraged to use insect repellent (follow directions carefully) for either skin or clothing.

If you see a wild animal that is acting strangely keep pets and children away as it may have rabies. Let the animal wander away on its own. If the animal continues to threaten, get to a safe area and call an animal control officer who can remove the animal. Signs of a rabid animal: unusually aggressive or friendly, may make unusual sounds, have difficulty swallowing, drooling or frothing at the mouth.

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Yates County Public Health

Poisonous Plants

It is common to see in the Finger Lakes Region a few poisonous plants such as; wild parsnip, poison ivy, oak, or sumac as well as giant hogweed. If you think you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash all exposed areas thoroughly but gently. If you can do this within ten minutes of contact, many times you can avoid an allergic reaction. Most cases of the rash can be treated with calamine lotion, cold compresses (applied 15-30 minutes several times a day), and antihistamines. Remember, if you do encounter any of these poison plants, be sure to clean your clothing, tools, and any gear you may have had with you as well.

If you believe to have been in contact with wild parsnip or giant hogweed, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and COLD water as soon as possible. Try to keep the exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours. See a physician for any of the reactions if you feel it to be necessary.

Poison Sumac. Often found by water

and typically contains up to thirteen leaflets.

Giant Hogweed. Lives in rich, wet soil

near ditches, streams, and farms. It has umbrella-shaped groups of small white flowers, leaves with deep creases, and stems with white hairs and purple splotches.

Poison Ivy. Look for leaves to be grouped

in threes and pointed.

Wild Parsnip. Found along the roadsides,

field edges, and ditches. Leaves resemble large celery leaves along hollow, grooved, hairless stems, and are a yellow-green.

Poison Oak. Look for leaves to be

grouped in threes and rounded.

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Photo: Instagram @ILoveMissimomo

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Biking Explore the many options for cycling in Yates County while enjoying the calmness and beauty of the Finger Lakes.

Witness a thriving Mennonite community as families gently tend to their farmlands and traverse the roadways by horse and buggy. The best remedy for the stress of modern life is a day spent roaming through the Finger Lakes Countrysides.

Obey all traffic regulations.

Cyclists in New York State have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Never ride against traffic and always use hand signals.

25

Photo: Instagram @toastykdogg

Bluff Point Tour

S

pectacular views, breathtaking scenery, and peaceful riding are what cyclists enjoy while touring Keuka Lake’s Bluff Point. Located between the villages of Penn Yan and Branchport, this impressive peninsula reaches 812 feet at its peak and divides the Y-shaped lake into two branches.

The Bluff’s natural beauty has been the focus of countless photographs and was undoubtedly the inspiration for several historical treasures placed upon its landscape. When finished exploring

26

this fascinating area, riders can take advantage of Keuka Lake State Park’s variety of recreational opportunities to further enjoy this Finger Lakes favorite.

Points of Interest:

Keuka College Keuka Lake State Park Keuka Lake Wine Trail Garrett Memorial Chapel Finger Lakes Museum Boardwalk LetsGoHikeandBike.com

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Corners Rd.

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#32 Bluff Point Tour, Penn Yan Havens Distance: 27.5 miles

otter 14A

364

54

Penn Yan Guyanoga R d.

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.

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54A Pepper Rd.

Italy Hill Rd.

14A

Keuka Lake State Park

54

Welker Rd.

West Bluff Dr.

Shan Corn

East Bluff Dr.

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Keuka Lake

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Keuka College

Branchport

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Finger Lakes Countrysides

E

Points of Interest:

Seneca Lake Wine Trail The Windmill Farm & Craft Market Downtown Dundee restaurants LetsGoHikeandBike.com 28

Photo: Instagram @loadedwolfe

xperience the sights and flavor of classic, rural Americana as you journey into the heart of the Finger Lakes Countryside. Roadside farm markets, charming country stores, and world-class wineries invite visitors to stop and enjoy the fruit of the land.

tion

#38 Finger Lakes Countrysides, Dresden Distance: 38.7 miles

.

Rd

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Pre-E

Corners Rd.

4

Sampson State Forest

Seneca Lake

14A

Dresden

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Penn Yan H im

Keuka Lake

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Milo Center

14

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Plum Point Rd.

Welker Rd.

Old B ath R d.

Shannon Corners Rd.

Dundee

1

Se neca St.

230

DundeeGlenora Rd.

N 0

mi.

2

14A 29

Looking to expand your journey…

Finger Lakes Countrysides

fingerlakescountrysides.com Keuka Lake Wine Trail:

keukawinetrail.com Seneca Lake Wine Trail senecalakewine.com Finger Lakes Trail fingerlakestrail.org

Finger Lakes Farm Country

fingerlakesfarmcountry.com

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

dec.ny.gov

corningfingerlakes.com/craft-your-adventure

alltrails.com

traillink.com/activity/geocaching-trails

Craft Your Adventure (beverage trail) All Trails (guides & maps) Geocaching Trails

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Photo: Burney Baron

Recreation, Relaxation, Tasting and Touring its all here.

@flxcountrysides

fingerlakescountrysides.com Visitors Center at the Yates County Chamber of Commerce 24/7 information lobby 2375 Route 14A Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-536-3111