Finger Lakes Trail

Hikers can walk more than 560 miles on the Finger Lakes Trail, a footpath that stretches from the Pennsylvania border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Its route through Cortland County takes hikers through some of the most beautiful and remote country in the Finger Lakes region.

In Cortland County the trail essentially bisects the county, running from Cuyler in the northeast to Harford in the southwest. Along the way it passes through Cuyler Hill State Forest, Taylor Valley State Forest, Hoxie Gorge and Tuller Hill, then crosses Virgil Mountain, the highest point in the county.

What to Know

• Hikers can do a short family day hike on one section, or turn a stretch into a weekend campout.
• Virgil Mountain, the highest point in Cortland County, is on the route.
• The Finger Lakes Trail Conference offers an interactive trail map showing starting points and parking.
• The full trail runs from Allegany State Park near the Pennsylvania border to the Catskill Forest Preserve.
• Experience Cortland, the county’s tourism office, features the trail.