Hiking Canadice Lake

Imagine yourself in the woods

maple leaves driedMaple leaves crunch under your feet in the autumn on the trails of Canadice Lake. Photo credit: Gabrielle Wheeler.

Imagine you're walking on a dirt trail. 

It's autumn and leaves fall gently to the ground around you.

Those underfoot crunch as you step on them.

Overhead, maple leaves blaze with reds, yellows, and orange hues. 

These woods smell wild - a slightly sweet twinge of decaying leaves.

You breathe it in and feel alive. 

What you'll find on this page:

I know you'll want to spend some time hiking on the unique and wild terrains of Candadice Lake while you visit the Finger Lakes Region. 

Read on about:

  • What's different about hiking Canadice Lake
  • The best places to hike on Canadice Lake

Chances are really rather excellent you'll find one or more hikes to add to your itinerary!

Feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and alive after hiking this unique lake

Since humans began writing thousands of years ago, the theme of feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and alive while out in the woods reoccurs over and over again. 

Canadice Lake is unique among the Finger Lakes because it's totally uninhabited by humans - and therefore a perfect place to escape to feel rejuvenated again.

Part of the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, and a protected lake to supply water to the city of Rochester, Canadice Lake is a purely wild lake you won't want to miss. Canadice Lake is only 3-miles-long and has a limit of 10-horse power outboard motors on boats, so when you hike this Finger Lake, it's like being in a totally different world.

With 14 miles of trails within the state forest, Rob's Trail that links Canadice and Hemlock Lakes, and the Canadice Lake Trail which runs long the eastern side of the lake, whichever one you hike, you'll leave feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and alive.

Where can I hike on Canadice Lake?

I'm glad you asked, because Canadice Lake has numerous hiking treasures you'll want to explore and experience fully.

hiker's feet on trailEnjoy getting away from it all when you hike Canadice Lake.

Canadice Lake Trail

This trail runs about 4 miles along the east shore of Canadice Lake.

If you are looking to see water fowl and bald eagles on your hike, this is the trail for you.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Viewing Wildlife
Common ternThe Finger Lakes Region is an Important Birding Area (IBA).

Getting there

North access point:

  • 📍Purcell Hill Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
  • 🗺 Find on Google Maps

South access point:

  • 📍6814-6894 Canadice Lake Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
  • 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

  • State forest lands
  • Trail: 4 miles
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Hemlock-Canadice State Forest 

You can access 14 miles of maintained trails within the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest for hiking, birding, and getting away from it all.

Check out the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (NYS DEC) website for the best access directions, including the Purcell Hill Road Parking Lot, the boat launch, and the canoe launch site.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Fishing
  • Viewing wildlife
  • Hunting
  • Trapping
  • Boating
  • Snowmobiling

Getting there

Features

  • State forest: 6,849 acres
  • 14 miles of trails
  • Hike from Canadice to Hemlock Lake
  • Kayak and canoe launch sites
  • No swimming or wading
  • Strict boating rules
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Johnson Hill Trail/County Line Falls

On this trail, which is part of the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest, you'll find some slightly challenging hills, maybe some mud, but also waterfalls. This out-and-back trail is about 1.5 miles long, and can be accessed on Johnson Hill Rd. 

County Line Falls is actually two waterfalls, with upper and lower falls. The hike to the upper falls is of medium difficulty, while the hike to the lower falls is classified as challenging. 

There’s a loop trail that’s 1.5 miles, or you can hike directly to the waterfall and back. You’ll encounter the upper falls first, with a 50-foot cascade. Then, if you decide to hike on, you’ll descend a steep bank to the lower. 25-foot cascade. 

To access County Line Falls, enter at the green and white “Hemlock-Canadice Watershed” hiker sign on Johnson Hill Rd.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

Features

  • Trail: 1.5 miles
  • Waterfalls
  • Out-and-back trail
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry
Canadice LakeHike Canadice Lake Trail to explore the lake's shore.

Marble Bench and Kiosk Site

This site off Canadice Lake Rd, on the eastern shore of the lake, will lead you down a short, dirt path to the lake. There is a kiosk that marks this access point, and you can walk the path to get some photos or put in a canoe. Or you can just sit on the marble bench and enjoy the view. 

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Fishing
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

Features

  • Trail: less than 1 mile
  • Kiosk of information about Canadice Lake
  • Kayak, canoe, and SUP car top launch
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Rob's Trail Preserve

Address: 6038-6152 Bald Hill Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
Phone: (212) 997-1880

Rob's Trail Preserve is a trail that was added by the Nature Conservancy in 2016. This trail will let you hike from one lake to the other as it connects Hemlock and Canadice Lakes.

You can also access Canadice Lake along its western shore with this trail.

Highlights

  • Hiking
  • Viewing wildlife

Getting there

  • 📍6038-6152 Bald Hill Rd, Springwater, NY 14560
  • 📞 (212) 997-1880
  • 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

  • Trail: 7.5 miles
  • Shoreline and forest hiking
  • Dogs allowed
  • Free entry

Create your own Finger Lakes adventure

Canadice Lake has too many amazing hikes to miss!

Which hiking option will you add to your next Finger Lakes adventure itinerary? 

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