Ithaca is one of the most beautiful cities in New York State. Its slogan, Ithaca is Gorges, is appropriate, considering there are 150 waterfalls within a 10-mile radius of the city; many of these falls are right in the heart of the city. Cascadilla Gorge is one of these spectacular gorges within the city. This breathtaking gorge trail features eight stunning waterfalls along the 3/4 mile trail as the creek drops 400 feet in elevation from the upper trailhead on the Cornell Campus to the lower trailhead in Treman Triangle Park.
Hiking the Gorge
Our first visit to Cascadilla Glen was on a hot spring day, and we entered from the lower trailhead in Treman Triangle Park. The first 1/2 of the trail is wide open with very little shade, and on a hot day, like the day we visited, the sun really beats down on you. We were sweating bullets by the time we reached the shaded portion of the trail.
The temperature does drop dramatically as you enter the shaded portions, and you encounter mist from the waterfalls. Also, the steps here can get slippery when wet, so make sure to wear proper footwear when hiking the gorge. Speaking of steps, there are a LOT of them here; this trail is not stroller-friendly or handicap accessible.
The Cascadilla Glen Trail is not open year-round. The gates at the trailheads are closed once the weather makes the trail dangerous due to ice and snow.
If you are interested in a self-guided of Cascadilla Glen, directions for using the “Pocketsights Tour Guide” are on the placard near the trailhead in Treman Triangle Park.
Waterfalls
As I mentioned, eight beautiful waterfalls are along the Cascadilla Gorge Trail. The waterfalls get more and more impressive as you make your way up the gorge. This trail runs quite close to the water, with only a metal rope as a barrier; you are quite literally steps away from many of the falls. If you visit with your children, you’ll want to watch them closely.
Although there really is nothing to keep you from entering the water, be aware that it is illegal, and violators will be arrested if caught.
Fall Colors at Cascadilla Gorge Trail
We revisited in the Fall, which was a completely different experience from our previous visit. The glen is full of trees, and they add such amazing beauty and contrast to the erosion of the creek wall of the Glen. No time is that more apparent than in the Fall when the Gorge is bathed in the bright colors of the changing leaves.
Please remember to wear sneakers or boots when hiking here. We visited on a day when it had recently rained, and the trail, which was already somewhat slippery, was made even more so with the wet leaves.
Getting to Cascadilla Gorge Trail
There is a small parking lot near Treman Triangle Park, and it can only accommodate a few cars. However, there is lots of on-street parking.
Address: Linn St, Ithaca, NY
Google Map Link
Have you visited Cascadilla Gorge Trail? What did you think? What is your favorite gorge trail in New York State? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.
Other Places to Visit
Fall Creek Gorge
This fantastic gorge trail will feed your inner waterfall chaser with three gorgeous falls and a cool suspension bridge thrown in. It is not your typical state park gorge trail, where you are right up next to the waterfalls. This trail takes you high above the falls and provides you with aerial views of these falls.
Ithaca Falls
Standing at 150 feet tall and with a width of 175 feet wide, this is one of the most stunning of all the waterfalls in the Ithaca area. Visitors can get extremely close to this waterfall while remaining, for the most part, dry. (There is a mist from the falls that can reach visitors when the wind is right.)
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park is a gorgeous park. While it is smaller than Stony Brook and Watkins Glen, it was definitely just as beautiful and impressive. I actually thought the waterfalls were more abundant, and the way they flowed into one another was, in my opinion, much more dramatic than the other parks.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park is a gorgeous state park located on the west side of Cayuga Lake. This park has the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains at a height of 215 ft.
Sunset Grill
This restaurant not only has a vast menu with fantastic food, but if you decide to enjoy their outside dining area, you can also enjoy one of the best views in Ithaca as well. Whenever we come to visit Ithaca, we always make a point of stopping for a bite to eat at this incredible restaurant.
More Pictures from Cascadilla Gorge
