Cayuga County Waterfalls
Go Chasing Waterfalls!
Cayuga County offers several waterfalls that will not disappoint. If you are looking for a tranquil hike where you can have the trail all to yourself, then check out Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia. Or are you up for more of a challenge? If the answer is yes, then Bahar Nature Preserve offers a dramatic gorge that feeds into Skaneateles Lake. There are also plenty “off the beaten path” experiences here in the Finger Lakes. So, pack up your camera and hiking boots and hit the trail in search of some spectacular scenery courtesy of mother nature.
Bahar Nature Preserve/
Carpenter Falls
Carpenter Falls is a massive ninety foot waterfall that has carved a notch out of the shelf-like cap rock. The Bahar Nature Preserve is a 25-acre preserve, only yards from Skaneateles Lake, in the village of Niles, treats hikers to a dramatic view of the 100-foot deep Bear Swamp Creek Ravine. The trail also includes a 65-foot crescent of lakeshore, a good spot to beach a canoe or kayak before hiking up the ridge trail.
Named for its massive size, Great Gully encompasses over 25 square miles. You are unable to hike the length of the gully because it is mostly privately owned, but you are able to visit the section from the parking area up to the second falls. The Lower Falls is very wide, cascading down a short 8 ft drop into a large and popular swimming hole. The Upper Falls has a very large, thick limestone cap rock over which the creek plunges 18 ft over a sizable cave. There is also a swimming hole at the base of this fall.
Fillmore Glen State Park is an oasis of cool, dense woods crowding into a long, narrow gorge. Its hiking trails offer spectacular views, unique geological formations, including five waterfalls, and a botanically rich glen. In the winter, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are permitted on unplowed roads
4 Things to Think About Before Every Hike
- Make a plan – be sure to tell someone where you are going.
- Hike Smart – read about the trail beforehand, know what to expect
- Be Prepared – bring sunscreen, water, snack, whistle, wear comfortable shoes, first aid kit
- Know Your Capabilities
For more hiking tips visit: American Hiking Society Website