TOP (5) FAMILY-MOTIVATED HIKING TRAILS IN ONTARIO COUNTY
(The Finger Lakes Region)
With COVID-19 still on everyone’s mind, the weather finally cooperating and restrictions being eased slowly; we can’t think of a better time to say “TAKE A HIKE”!
The County of Ontario is located 8 miles from Rochester, NY in the heart of upstate New York and is comprised of 2 cities, 16 towns, and 8 villages. Here are (5 ) of what we consider the best hiking trails in Ontario County.
1. Onanda Park
Located on the west side of Canandaigua Lake, Onanda Park consists of 80 acres. Within park boundaries there is one waterfall approximately 35 ft high, cascading gently as it turns 45 degrees over the top segment. It then widens, tumbling over smooth shale into a shallow pool below. About one hour in length more if you plan on hiking upstream.
2. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill
There’s no better place to slip away to than one of the highest points in Ontario County, Gannett Hill Park, in the scenic Bristol Hills area. At an elevation of 2,246 feet above sea level, you’ll have expansive views to the East; while viewing portions of Ontario County and the hills behind Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
3. Manchester Gateway Trail
It’s a 1.5 mile walking/bike pathway from NY Rte 96 to Clifton St. in the Village, then continuing south to Water St. with southern trailhead located near Bliss Shurfine parking lot.
4. Finger Lakes Trail
The Finger Lakes Trail System includes the main Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) from the Pennsylvania-New York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve. The main FLT is 580 miles long. There are (6) branch trails and 29 loop and spur trails that extend from the main FLT. These branch, loop and spur trails currently total 412 miles. Including the main trail and all branch, loop, and side trails, the Finger Lakes Trail System offers 1,000 miles of hiking and is intended for foot travel.
5. Ontario Pathways (Stanley Trailhead)
Ontario Pathways is a twenty five mile system comprised of a 23.3 mile multi-use, non-motorized rails to trails pathway, with (3) additional loops for another 1.7 miles of a hiking only trail. The main trail is composed of (2) “legs” of abandoned railroad corridors, the Canandaigua leg from Canandaigua to Stanley and the Phelps leg from Stanley through Flint, Seneca Castle, Orleans and ending in Phelps.
*As New York State continues to open in phases safely we look forward to seeing you soon on one of our tours at Finger Lakes Food Tours.
