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Hiking Skaneateles Lake
Hiking Skaneateles Lake offers plenty of photo ops and vistas to enjoy. Photo credit: Catherine Nonenmacher.Experience the habitat that produces the cleanest Finger Lake
Hiking around Skaneateles Lake, the cleanest Finger Lake, gives options for experiencing just how that lake remains clean.
You can hike Bear Swamp, the filtration system for Carpenter Falls, which empties into the lake. Or you can go with vistas at the highest point around Skaneateles Lake - and in all of Onondaga County for that matter.
There’s also a system of three nature preserves along the southeastern rim of the lake that protect over 2 miles of forested area around the lake. Trails wind you through these preserves, leading to vistas and through old growth forest.
What’s an old growth forest? Read on to find out.
What you'll find on this page:
I know you'll want to spend some time hiking on the unique and wild terrains of Skaneateles Lake while you visit the Finger Lakes Region.
Read on about:
- What's different about an old growth forest
- Skaneateles Lake hikes with waterfalls
- Skaneateles Lakes hikes with amazing vistas
- The highest elevation point in Onondaga County
- And more...
Chances are really rather excellent you'll find one or more hikes to add to your itinerary!
What's an old growth forest?
Would you believe that most of the forests in New York are growing on land that was once cleared and has now reforested? Sadly, most of the state was at one time cleared of its forest for agriculture and wood needed for local development. The good thing is that our forested lands are returning.
But these reforesting lands are different from old growth forests.
Old growth forests are just what they sound like: forests that are old, older than European settlers, for the most part. Old growth forests were not logged nor cleared for agriculture and logging during colonization. They are areas that have survived longer than that.
The composition of an old growth forest is very different from that of a newer forest. Different tree species prefer different kinds of conditions for growth. Some species, such as willow, grow quickly and have a shorter life-span. Others, such as red oak and some maples grow more slowly, gain a huge girth, and stand for a century or more.
Old growth forests are often thick with moss on the ground and still have rocks and boulders strewn where the glaciers dropped them 10,000 years ago. Sometimes, rare and sensitive flowers grow here, having escaped losing their seed stores within the soil from farming.
Old growth forests are connections to the history of an area that goes back beyond recently written history. Exploring them is like stepping into another time in another world.
You can experience old growth forest at Bahar Nature Preserve, down the trail from Carpenter Falls.So, were's a good place to go hiking on Skaneateles Lake?
I'm glad you asked, because Skaneateles Lake has numerous hiking treasures you'll want to explore and experience fully.
Bear Swamp State Forest
Bear Swamp State Forest is a 3,539-acre multi-use area where you can hike, run, snowshoe, cross-country ski, snowmobile, horseback ride, and much more. The DEC maintains a 14.3-mile trail system in this large state forest, with additional trails for snowmobiling, biking, and horseback riding.
The swamp in Bear Swamp State Forest provides water to Carpenter Falls, a few miles upstream, which eventually empties into Skaneateles Lake. Swamps are a lake’s first filtration system, and since Skaneateles is considered one of the cleanest lakes in North America, Bear Swamp does its job pretty well!
Highlights
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Viewing wildlife
- Camping
- Running
- Biking
- Snowmobiling
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Paddling
- Fishing
Getting there
Parking area behind Colonial Lodge on Route 41a:
- 📍2630 NY-41A, Moravia, NY 13118
- 📞 (607) 753-3095
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Features
- State forest: 3,539 acres
- 14.3 miles of multi-use trails
- Trails marked by color
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
Carpenter Falls
Carpenter Falls is a gorgeous 80-foot cascade that plunges through Bear Swamp Creek and out into Skaneateles Lake. You won’t want to miss seeing this on your trip to Skaneateles Lake!
The trail leading to Carpenter Falls has come about through combined work of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT).
The Carpenter Falls Unique Area, maintained by the DEC, sits adjacent to the Bahar Nature Preserve (FLLT). The upper and lower falls are located within the Unique Area, and has recently been updated with viewing platforms and well-maintained trails.
However, there’s more to this area than just the waterfalls. After viewing the waterfalls, you can keep hiking through old-growth hardwood forest and make it all the way to the shore, where the FLLT preserves 65 feet of Skaneateles Lake shore.
Highlights
- Hiking
- Viewing wildlife
- Running
- Showshoeing
- Paddling
Getting there
- 📍5986-6062 Appletree Point, Moravia, NY 13118
- 📞 (607) 753-3095
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Features
- State Unique Area: 37 acres
- Nature preserve: 53 acres
- Multiple trails and viewing areas
- 2 waterfalls
- Old-growth forest
- Shoreline
- Faciliites
- Handicap accessible viewing area on Appletree Point Rd.
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
Charlie Major Nature Trail
If you like railroad history, give this one-mile, out-and-back trail a go in the village of Skaneateles.
In years bygone, the tract that is now the Charlie Major Nature Trail was part of Skaneateles’ short-line railroad (or a railroad that didn’t connect to another and was pretty local, kinda like a modern-day bus route).
Along either side of that railroad, stood huge buildings, artifacts of Skaneateles’ millworking heritage between the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.
A few of the ruins remain, and now the trail offers a green spot for residents and visitors alike. You can cross the creek on wooden bridges and picnic alongside the water. There’s also a playground at the Mottville trailhead.
Highlights
- Hiking
- Viewing wildlife
- Snowshoeing
Getting there
Crow Hill Rd Trailhead
- 📍Crow Hill Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13125
- 📞 (315) 685-3473
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Mill Rd Trailhead
- 📍Mill Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13125
- Find on Google Maps
Features
- Municipal trail: 1 mile
- Trail follows section of old Skaneateles short-line railroad
- Out-and-back trail
- Carry-in/carry-out
- Playground
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
Hinchcliff Family Nature Preserve
303 acres of forest that tower along the hills that slope into Skaneateles Lake, the Hinchcliff Family Preserve rests at the southeastern end of the lake. This preserve also connects to the High Vista Nature Preserve, securing a large contiguous tract of undeveloped area.
Within the Hinchcliff Family Preserve, you can hike the 3.2 miles of trails that meander along the contours of the gorges and hills. Hiking can be steep, so be sure to bring boots with good tread.
Highlights
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Running
Getting there
- 📍Covey Rd, Homer, NY 13077
- 📞 (607) 275-9487
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Features
- Nature preserve: 303 acres
- 3.2 miles of trails
- Challenging hiking
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
There are plenty of exceptional hikes in the forested areas around Skaneateles Lake.High Vista Nature Preserve
The acquisition of High Vista Nature Preserve’s 139 acres resulted in a strip of 2.25-mile long stretch of undeveloped land along Skaneateles Lake’s southeastern ridge.
High Vista Nature Preserve butts up against the Hinchcliff Family Preserve and has two trails that take you around the wetland resting in the middle of the preserve, and another that journey’s off into Hinchcliff Family Preserve.
Interestingly, High Vista Nature Preserve was once probably completely cleared for agriculture, but since moving into the hands of conservation organizations, has reforeste
Highlights
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Viewing wildlife
Getting there
- 📍7556 Vincent Hill Rd, Homer, NY 13077
- 📞 (607) 275-9487
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Features
- Nature preserve: 193 acres
- 1.2 miles of trails
- 3 hiking trails
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
Ripley Hill Nature Preserve
Want to be able to boast you went to the highest point around Skaneateles Lake? Go to Ripley Hill Nature Preserve.
At 1,968 feet in elevation, this preserve has the highest point in Onondaga County - and offers views for photo ops you won’t want to miss.
Additionally, Ripley Hill Nature Preserve has a ¾-mile-long trail with boardwalks that connects to the Hinchcliff Family Preserve and leads you to that highest point.
Highlights
- Hiking
- Viewing wildlife
Getting there
- 📍Ripley Hill Rd, Homer, NY 13077
- 📞 (315) 575-8839
- 🗺 Find on Google Maps
Features
- Nature preserve: 109 acres
- Trail length: 3/4 mile
- Highest elevation in Onondaga County
- Vistas of lake
- Connects to Hinchcliff Family Preserve
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Free entry
Create your own Finger Lakes adventure
Skaneateles 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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