I am continually amazed by the abundance of breathtaking locations tucked away in our beautiful state. Recently, we stumbled upon an extraordinary hidden gem that presents hikers with a jaw-dropping view of Skaneateles Lake.
Ripley Hill Nature Preserve is part of the Central New York Land Trust. I have a great appreciation for land trusts, as they do an incredible job of preserving natural spaces from overdevelopment, allowing people to explore and enjoy these beautiful places.
Exploring Ripley Hill
Trail Length: 1.25 miles (One Way)
The Ripley Hill Nature Preserve features a single trail that provides hikers with an unexpectedly effortless experience, given the breathtaking views it offers. The trail meanders through serene, mature woods, a tranquil hemlock swamp, and a picturesque meadow, making it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
Please don’t be put off by the word ‘swamp’. This area is truly beautiful, with its twisting old trees and clusters of ferns adorning the sides of the trail. Even though there are spots of dark, peaty soil, wooden boardwalks have been constructed to traverse these areas. Also, we didn’t find the area buggy at all.
Note: Make sure you stay on the boardwalks, the ground might look solid, but it isn’t. We learned the hard way (Nova showed us and boy, did we learn.)
The trail we hiked was incredibly peaceful and filled with natural beauty. The serenity of the surroundings was beyond compare, and just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we arrived at the meadow, where we were greeted by a breathtaking and stunning view of Skaneateles Lake. The lake in the distance, combined with the lush greenery of the meadow, created a picture-perfect scenic view.
If you continue through the meadow, (FYI-the trails can be hard to navigate through the high grass.) this trail leads to Hinchcliff Family Preserve connecting the two preserves.
Scenic View of Skaneateles Lake
If you’ve been to Skaneateles Lake, you may have noticed that the surrounding hills are not as high as those around the other Finger Lakes. Ripley Hill is the tallest point overlooking Skaneateles Lake, reaching an elevation of 1,968 feet. It provides hikers with one of the most stunning views of the lake from above.
There is a bench on the edge of the meadow, which is a great spot to sit and enjoy the view.
Out and About with Nova
This is a dog-friendly destination, and Nova loved walking here. Pets are welcome here as long as they are leashed and you remember to clean up after them. You will really want to strive to keep your (leashed) dog on the trail.
We learned the hard way when Nova decided to step off one of the boardwalks and right into dark, peat soil, which looks solid but is, surprisingly, not. She was as shocked as we were. But unlike us, she was covered in muck all the way up to her furry armpits. (Fortunately, we have a dog hammock in the back of our vehicle, so our seats were safe.) However, it took two washings in the tub at home to get the muck out of her fur.
Getting To Ripley Hill
Address: Ripley Hill Rd, Homer, NY
The parking area for the preserve is across the street from the trailhead.