Hikes in New York

The Gorge Trail follows Glen Creek through a narrow shale-and-sandstone gorge above Watkins Glen village, climbing 1.5 miles from the Main Entrance to the Upper Entrance. Hikers pass 19 named waterfalls and cascades on a route built from stone paths, roughly 832 stone steps, tunnels, and arched bridges. The trail runs through the spray of Cavern Cascade, beneath Rainbow Falls, and up Jacob's Ladder, a 180-step staircase near the upper end. Rock walls rise as much as 200 feet overhead, and the gorge stays cool and damp even in midsummer. Most visitors walk the gorge in both directions for a three-mile round trip; others return via the Indian (North Rim) or South Rim trails, or ride the seasonal shuttle back down. Stone underfoot is often wet and slick.