Hiking Programs Archives - Finger Lakes Trail Conference

Founder Hikes

March 29, 2025/in Hiking Programs /by Finger Lakes

The Founder’s Hikes (Named Hikes) will once again be held separate from the County Hike Series. Howard Beye, Erv Markert, Wally Wood, and Ed Sidote are founding members of the FLTC, and the hikes allow us to show our appreciation for everything they did so we can hike across the state.

For all hikes: All participants should be aware that hiking trails may be slippery and have uneven terrain. Some of the hikes will have creek crossings and possibly mud. Proper sturdy hiking type footwear is advised. Wear weather appropriate clothing, the hikes are rain or shine. Bring drinking water, bug spray, camera/cellphone, and sunscreen. A snack or lunch is also recommended based on your personal needs.

Howard Beye: April 26, 2025

Hike Date: April 26, 2025, Saturday
Start Time: 10 AM
FLT Map: International Loop #1
Meet Location: FLT trailhead on Daisy Hollow Road North Trailhead
(GPS: 42.47078530588466, -76.2310341423272)
Hike Leader: Triple Cities Hiking Club hike leader Karen Harriell
Hike Distance: ~7 miles
Description:

Hilly terrain, Moderate pace, approximately 7 miles in the western part of the James Kennedy State Forest along a combination of the Finger Lakes
Trail and the International Trail’s Spanish Loop. The hike will follow a mix of rolling terrain and a few creek crossings. Lunch stop at picturesque Mercedes Spring. This is one of Karen’s favorite hikes, especially in early spring when wildflowers begin to appear.

Recommendation: Wear sturdy hiking type footwear (there are tree roots, uneven ground, creek crossings, possible mud). Wear weather appropriate clothing, the hike is rain or shine. A hiking stick or pole may be helpful. Bring drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen. A snack or lunch is also recommended. All the hikes have beautiful sights, so bring a camera/cellphone.

Wally Wood: May 4, 2025

Hike Date: May 4, 2025, Sunday
Start Time: 10 AM
FLT Map: L1
Meet Location: Visitor’s Center of Mt. Morris Dam 6103 Visitor Center Rd, Mt. Morris, NY 14510 (GPS: 42.73132052997531, -77.90528823541558)
Hike Leader: Genesse Valley Hiking Club hike leader Ann Bayley
Hike Distance: 4 miles
Description:

Leisurely pace, 4 miles, mostly flat, spectacular views. Comfort station and picnic tables are available for lunch. See the home office of the FLTC. There is 2-mile extension possible.

Erv Markert: June 14, 2025

Hike Date: June 14, 2025, Saturday
Start Time: 9:30 AM
FLT Map: AL
Meet Location: parking area at junction of Bald Hill and Station roads in the Town of Danby (GPS: 42.318167, -76.495778)
Hike Leader: Ithaca Hikers hike leader Jim Rolfe
Hike Distance: varies; up to 8 miles
Description:

There is plenty of parking on Station Road and it gives people who want to do a shorter hike the option to bail out early, or people can do the whole
thing. The lead hike will be a 2-hour loop hike that involves walking up the seasonal part of Bald Hill Rd to the Abbott Loop to the Pinnacles. Hopefully with a good view from the observation spot at the top. The hike continues down the other side of the Pinnacles and meets the seasonal part of Bald Hill Rd. Some hikers who travel a distance to join us on this founder’s hike may want to do the entire 8+ mile Abbott Loop if they’ve never done it.

Ed Sidote: June 28, 2025

Hike Date: June 28, 2025, Saturday
Start Time: 8:30 AM (Longer Hike), 10 AM (Shorter Hike)
FLT Map: M23
Meet Location: Fred Stewart Road 9-mile truck trail (CCC Trail) Pharsalia, NY 13815 (GPS: 42.583567124810315, -75.70061934241754)
Hike Leader: Bullthistle hiking Club hike leaders Steve Ellsworth and Peg Fuller
Hike Distance: 5 miles (Longer Hike) 3 miles (Shorter Hike)
Description:

The hike will be in the Pharsalia Woods along the FLT to the Sidote Bench (and the Passport rubbing station # E05) and ending at the Sandberg
Pharsalia Lean-to where there will be a hotdog cookout. Hikers can bring a dish to pass (desserts, sides, etc.). Two hike distances will be offered (5-miles and 3-miles). It is a mostly level hike with slight elevation (250 ft).

More About Our Founders

Wally Wood

Wally Wood is an important figure in the history of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference because without him, there would be no Finger Lakes Trail.

In the fall of 1961, Wally Wood was a long-distance hiker living in Rochester when he dreamed up the idea of a trail system across New York State. He brought the idea to the Genesee Valley Hiking Club, and a committee was established to explore the idea with like-minded hiking clubs across the state. In March of 1962, approximately 100 representatives of these clubs gathered at Keuka College for the first official meeting of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC).

Wally Wood became the founding president of the FLTC and served in that role from 1962-1966. He served on the Board of Managers until 1969 and had many roles with the FLTC, including Bristol Hills Trail Sponsor and Trail Coordinator from 1962-1976, editor of Finger Lakes Trail News in 1969 and from 1972-1973, and executive secretary of the FLTC from 1975-1976. He was \awarded the first Wallace D. Wood Distinguished Service Award in 1984, which has since been awarded to dozens of individuals who have made significant contributions to the Finger Lakes Trail. Wally Wood passed away in 1996.

There is a monument to Wally Wood on map M7 South of Portageville. It was installed by the Hesse family, who are landowners on the FLT, and the Genesee Valley Hiking Club on June 4, 2005.

Erv Markert

Erv Markert was chairman of the Trails Committee for almost twenty years.

Georgeana Vyverberger profiled Erv Markert for her column in the Fall 2009 issue of FLT News. The following is excerpted from her column:

“Erv Markert held the position of Trail Committee Chairman for over 20 years. That kind of dedication most likely had its effect on Howard Beye who was mentored by Mr. Markert. [When] Howard’s meticulous files were brought to the Service Center, there in the back of many of the folders was Erv Markert’s voluminous correspondence. It details beautifully the growth of a trail that was less than 50 miles on the ground when Erv took his place as Trail Manager. In June of 1964, along with some friends he flew more than 350 miles in a small plane piloted by Fred Hiltz scouting out routes in the eastern part of New York State.”

He also served as FLT president from 1971-1973. When Wally Wood retired Erv graciously made a place for the office in his home and though he recruited help for some of the endless tasks associated with record keeping, he and his family were the folks who answered the phone when anyone needed something or had a question.

Like many of the other people [Georgeanne profiled] about in [her] column, Erv heard about the trail from a news article and attended [the] first meetings. Erv and his wife Kathy met Wally Wood on the trail of the Bristol Hills Branch one day. Wally knew a good thing when he saw it because soon afterward, he knocked on the Markerts’ door and proceeded to talk Erv into taking the position of Trails Manager. During those 20 years he worked tirelessly for the FLT and was the perfect public relations liaison with the Appalachian Trail Conference and other groups.

He served on the Board of the National Trail Council, North Country Trail Advisory Board and was instrumental in the establishment of the New York State Trails Council.

In 1985 Erv was awarded the FLTC’s Wally Wood Distinguished Service Award. At the time he was still Finger Lakes Trail News editor. When asked why he became interested in the FLT his reply was simple: “I have always been interested in the outdoors but hunting and fishing didn’t answer all my needs. The Trail offered a chance for my family to do something together.”

Erv’s legacy is truly phenomenal. When he received the Wally Wood Award the main trail was 420 miles and branch trails totaled 196 miles. Most of those miles were nurtured by the intelligence and carefulness of Erv Markert.”

Howard Beye

Howard Beye was a volunteer who literally couldn’t be replaced when he passed away suddenly in 2008 at the age of 75.
For seventeen years, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference lived in the home of Howard and Dorothy Beye. They filled orders for maps and t-shirts out of their home, managed an early iteration of the FLTC’s “database” of donors, members, and volunteers, and responded to inquiries and phone calls from trail users, sometimes at all hours of the night. In addition to managing these office functions, Howard’s official title was Trails Chair for the then 880-mile system. In this volunteer role, which he occupied for 25 years, Howard kept track of map updates, recruited and trained volunteer trail maintainers and sponsors, and tracked their volunteer hours. He also organized every Alley Cat Project each year, and managed relationships with state agencies and partners.

Howard did so much and had so many responsibilities that when he passed away suddenly in 2008, his position had to be split among several volunteers to accomplish the many tasks. It took the organization years to adjust to his absence. In some ways, the impact of Howard’s death is still being felt today.

Long-time volunteer and past FLT News Editor Irene Szabo wrote two pieces in the Winter 2008 issue of FLT News about Howard and his death. In the first, she shared the history of his involvement with the organization and predicted then just how difficult it would be for the FLTC to carry on without him, stating that it was “crushingly difficult to imagine how we will fill his shoes.”

Howard’s influence and impact on the trail were significant, but not more significant than his influence and impact on the people of the trail. In a second piece, Irene describes her relationship with Howard, who was the “first human she ever talked to about the FLTC.”

“In those days he was the only person at the other end of a phone for the whole trail, so he became THE trail to each of us,” she writes. After his death “I began to realize how thoroughly the man haunted the interior of my head. A week after he died, I was doing trail work and was amazed at how many times I caught little semi-conscious thoughts popping in unbidden, sort of an ongoing mental conversation with Howard, reporting in, so to speak, about what I was doing, how many hours I’d spent that day, what I still had to do. Even a full month later, I caught myself being faintly ashamed for Howard to see the sloppy blaze I’d just painted.”

Years later, Irene still had the feeling of “reporting in” to Howard. And it honestly sounds like he was the best kind of person to report in to. Remembering Howard Beye is a good time to remember that the trail was built and is maintained by people. It is the people and their relationships with each other that make the FLT strong and stable, and it is the people that attract other people to become involved.

Ed Sidote

In 1990, at the age of 73, Ed “Mr. FLT” Sidote became the third person to hike the entire Finger Lakes Trail. Three years later, Ed was awarded the FLTC’s Wally Wood Distinguished Service Award, and in 2004 he was the first recipient of the FLTC’s prestigious Howard Beye Lifetime Achievement Award. Ed’s contributions to the FLT were considerable and he left a lasting legacy with the FLTC.

In addition to serving as President of the FLTC’s Board of Managers, Ed left an indelible mark as the organization’s first End-to-End (E2E) Coordinator. According to FLTC-lore, if a hiker finished the FLT at 2 a.m., Ed would be there in the middle of the woods to give them their badge. Ed was also a “Trail Angel” for many hikers – giving rides in his famous Suburban – and was the creator of the FLTC’s first Trail Angel list, which was painstakingly and beautifully handwritten for hikers.

Ed was committed to the FLT hiking community, and to supporting the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. To celebrate his 90th birthday (and the FLTC’s 45th), Ed asked family, friends, and supporters of the FLTC to celebrate with a gift of $1,250 to the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. The donations could be paid all at once or over time, and all contributions would be directed to the Sidote Stewardship Fund, which is dedicated to trail protection projects. These gifts and the generous donors who made them established the FLT Forever Society, which now has 82 members and has generated more than $100,000 in donations.

A portion of trail in Chenango County is named and dedicated to Ed, and a stone bench on the trail in Pharsalia is engraved in his honor: “Ed Sidote: Mr. FLT.”

Yoga Hikes Registration Form

March 1, 2025/in Hiking Programs /by Finger Lakes

Looking for information about Yoga Hikes? Check out our Yoga Hikes Information page.

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FLT50/100 Sponsor

February 8, 2025/in FLT 50/100 /by Finger Lakes

See our rules page for more information on the FLT 50/100 Challenge.

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FLT50/100 Participant Registration

February 8, 2025/in FLT 50/100 /by Finger Lakes

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Hiking 101 Registration Form

April 7, 2024/in Hiking Programs /by Finger Lakes

Looking for information about Hiking 101? Check out our Hiking 101 Information page.

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Cross-County Hike Series

February 25, 2024/in County Hike /by Finger Lakes

2025 County Hike Series – Allegany County

PHOTO CREDIT: Goat Factory Media

Each year, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference offers a series of hikes across a different county along the trail. This year we are excited to be moving across the beautiful and scenic Allegany County!

In 2025 the hikes will cover approximately 60 miles of rolling hills, farmland, deep valleys, and ravines in Allegany County. In 60 miles you will hike through four State Forests and a Wildlife Management Area, and several charming hamlets.

We are offering TWO options for participation;

Group Hikes, guided by experienced Hike Leaders, include bus shuttle service from the end to the starting point of each hike and a SAG (Supply and Gear) Wagon with snacks and refreshments. (This bus shuttle is a great way to chip away at your end-to-end goal!)
Independent Hikes allow you to complete the hikes on your own.

The County Hike Series is one of the FLTC’s most popular hiking events, and there truly is an option for everyone. Whether you are a trail runner or like to stop and smell the flowers, there will be a group to fit your desired pace!

PHOTO CREDIT: Goat Factory Media

Registration Options and Rates

All registrations include a 2025 Allegany County Hike Series t-shirt (adult uni-sex sizing)! Additionally, you can become a member, or renew your membership, when you register.

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Registration is open for Group and Individual hikers. Founders Hikes will be separate events this year.

Hike Information

Participants will receive hike information, including the Allegany County Hike Series Guidebook by April 1, 2025.

The Guidebook contains detailed information about the hikes; where to meet, what to expect on hike days, etc. Everyone who registers for the Allegany County Hike Series will also be added to an email group [email protected]. This is a great place to ask questions, find carpool buddies for the hikes, etc.

Participants in the Group Hikes are split into groups based on hiking pace. Buses pick up participants at the end point in the morning and drive them to the starting point of each scheduled hike. Near the middle of the hike, a SAG Wagon is set up so hikers can refresh themselves with drinks and snacks. Hikers may choose to stop for the day at the SAG Wagon, completing a “half-hike,” and make arrangements with other half-hikers to complete the other half on another day, or to complete the hike on their own.

Hikes are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month beginning in April. The longest hike is approximately 11.9 miles and the shortest is approximately 8.5 miles. The Series concludes during the FLTC’s Fall Weekend Festival.

Hike Schedule
Date
April 19
May 17
June 21
July 19
August 16
September 20

Hiker Registration

Fall Weekend Hikes

July 19, 2023/in Fall Weekend /by Finger Lakes

Friday Hikes

Hike List

F1 - Birdseye Hollow Loop
F2 - Robinson Rd. to Sinclair Rd. Out and Back
F3 - Hickory Hill Lean-to
F4 - Kanakadea Park
F5 - Huckleberry Bog Nature Trail Loop

F1 - Birdseye Hollow Loop

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	1:15 PM
Hike Starts	Birdseye Hollow Park
Map	M13 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	~3 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Dutch Yowell
Description	Start at the main lot of Birdseye Hollow Park which has a pit toilet, playground, and beautiful lake. Follow park road for a short while and cross CR 96 to continue on the white-blazed main FLT. Hike through the woods to elevation of 1280 ft and descend to CR 16. Reenter woods and admire the recently cleared, impressive blowdowns from winter storms. After 0.9 miles, cross CR 16 once more and follow the park trail back to the parking lot. This trail tends to be wet.

F2 - Robinson Rd. to Sinclair Rd. Out and Back

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	1:00 PM
Hike Starts	Robinson Rd.
Map	M11 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	2.2 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Ann Bayley
Description	On this out and back hike, enjoy farm views and beautiful woods. Hike from Robinson Rd. following farmland for a short while then enter the newly created trail in the hedgerow. Enter peaceful woods then downhill along farmland. Reach Sinclair Rd, turn around back to Robinson Rd.

F3 - Hickory Hill Lean-to

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	1:45 PM
Hike Starts	FLT trailhead by campsites B90 and B91
Map	M12 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	Hiker preference, miniumum 2 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Steve Ellsworth
Description	Head up the hill from the Hickory Hill Campground, follow the pipeline to the Hickory Hill Lean-to with possible views. Option to hike more on top of the hill to scout out more views. Then return to the lean-to and back down to the campground.

F4 - Kanakadea Park

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	12:45 PM
Hike Starts	Kanakadea Park
Map	M9 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	~4 miles
Difficulty	Moderate
Hike Leader	Peter Wybron
Description	Start at the large parking lot within the county park. Follow the white-blazed main trail west through the park with views of Almond Lake. Carefully cross Webb Crossings Rd. to access 8 and follow the path to a neat tunnel that goes under I-86. (Flashlights/Headlamps recommended). Ascend through the woods to the Old Kanakadea Lean-to for a snack break. Then descend and return to the tunnel on the park’s red-blazed trail. Return through the park.

F5 - Huckleberry Bog Nature Trail Loop

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	1:30 PM
Hike Starts	Bean Station Rd.
Map	B3 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	3 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Chris DeGolyer
Description	The Bristol Hills Branch Trail goes uphill through private land to Urbana State Forest, where there is a 3 mile loop trail, both orange and blue-blazed, part of which is now a nature trail intended for use with the booklets in boxes at each end of the loop. The fairly level trail (1770-1870’ elevation), entirely within Urbana State Forest, begins its north end in a patch of young maples that was open field when this trail was laid out by a Girl Scout troop in the 1960s, then turns left just beyond the junction with the blue return loop onto an old road that had four or five farms and homes along it during the 1800’s.

Saturday Hikes

Hike List

Sa1 - Triad Trail
Sa2 - Hornell/Kanakadea Park, County Series Hike #1
Sa3 - Hickory Hill Lean-to and north to highest point on map M12
Sa4 - June Bug Trail/Main FLT/Triad Trail
Sa5 - Pulver Rd. to Outback Inn Lean-to, Out and Back

Sa1 - Triad Trail

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	9:30 AM
Hike Starts	Winding Stair Rd., carpool to trailhead
Map	M12 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	2 miles
Difficulty	Easy
Hike Leader	John Schmitt
Description	This is an easy 2 mile hike beginning on Winding Stair Rd and then follows an abandoned road down into a gully and up the other side. Enter the woods and continue downhill along multiple switchbacks to NY54 and Champlin Beach. This trail was built as an Eagle Scout Project in 2012 and much of the trail was built by a Girl Scout working on her Gold Badge.

Sa2 - Hornell/Kanakadea Park, County Series Hike #1

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	9:15 AM
Hike Starts	1901 Dewey Rd, Hornell
Map	M9 & M10 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	7.9 miles
Difficulty	Moderate
Hike Leader	Nathan Hayes
Description	Start at Dewey Rd., walk the farm lane west and enjoy nice views. Pass an old barn and continue downhill near a wooded gully. Reach CR 70A, cross bridge over Big Creek, turn left off road and go steeply uphill, then along the ridgeline. Then descend steeply and enjoy the view. Continue on the roads through Hornell and onto Webbs Crossing Rd. Follow old rail bed of the Pittsburg Shawmut & Northern RR. This is part of the 1.8 mile Shawmut Hiking & Biking Trail built and maintained by the City of Hornell. Enjoy this beautiful section of trail then ascend through a combination of fields, woods, and old logging roads. Then descend to Webbs Crossing Rd., follow back to Kanakadea park. Enter the park through lovely nature trails. Bring lunch.

Sa3 - Hickory Hill Lean-to and north to highest point on map M12

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	8:30 AM
Hike Starts	FLT trailhead by sites B90 and B91
Map	M12 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	6.5 miles
Difficulty	Moderate
Hike Leader	Steve Ellsworth
Description	his hike will head up the hill from the Hickory Hill Campground, follow the pipeline to the Hickory Hill Lean-to with possible views. Hike north on the FLT, reach register on Kershener Hill. Continue then follow Robbins Rd. for 0.3 miles before entering woods and edge of field owned by the PeaceWeavers. Ascend hill to reach the highest point on Map 12. Then return to the lean-to and back down to the campground

Sa4 - June Bug Trail/Main FLT/Triad Trail

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	9:00 AM
Hike Starts	Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
Map	M12 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	3.7 miles
Difficulty	Moderate to Hard
Hike Leader	Kenneth Osika
Description	The blue-blazed June Bug Trail has an elevation gain of about 669.1 ft and is rated as hard. It was developed as an Eagle project to link the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum to the Finger Lakes Trail. There are good views of Keuka Lake and Pleasant Valley. The June Bug Trail is named for an early airplane designed and built by Glenn Curtiss in 1908, with which he won the first aeronautical prize ever awarded in the USA. This trail goes uphill on town property beyond the highway garage and will eventually join the FLT at a point where there is a trail register. From this point we will turn towards Winding Stairs Rd and follow the main branch in an easterly direction. At Winding Stairs Rd we will turn downhill to the Triad Trail. The hike will end at Champlain Park, either car spot or hike along Rt. 54 to starting location.

Sa5 - Pulver Rd. to Outback Inn Lean-to, Out and Back

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	8:45 AM
Hike Starts	Pulver Rd.
Map	B2 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	3.2 miles
Difficulty	Moderate
Hike Leader	Jim & Gail Davis
Description	This hike will start at the parking area on Pulver Rd. and go through the Italy Hill State Forest. Meander through the woods, cross over small streams. Reach a gorgeous section with a small waterfall before continuing uphill, over puncheons to the Outback Inn. Then return back to the parking lot on Pulver Rd.

Sunday Hikes

Su1 - Mitchellsville Creek Gorge

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	8:30 AM
Hike Starts	CR13 trailhead
Map	M12 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	2.5 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Debbie Connell
Description	This is an easy 2.5 mile downhill hike above and along the beautiful Mitchellsville Creek gorge. The hike will begin at the top of the hill on CR13 across a farm field and past a vernal pond. You will pass a register box; (please sign in) and then a Wegmans Passport rubbing station (bring a piece of paper and a pencil to make a rubbing). Next you pass through a lovely hemlock forest along Mitchellsville Creek gorge. Once you reach the flat stream floodplain you will walk briefly on abandoned B&H railroad track, and cross Cold Brook, the inlet for Keuka Lake, on a bridge built by an Alley Cat Crew in 2001. Follow the trail along the edge of a vineyard to CR88, Pleasant Valley Road, and to the trailhead at Town of Urbana Town Hall.

Su2 - Birdseye Hollow State Forest

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	9:00 AM
Hike Starts	M13 access 1, Birdseye Hollow Rd.
Map	M12 & M13 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	2.2 miles
Difficulty	Easy to Moderate
Hike Leader	Mike Cunningham
Description	Start at the shoulder parking at map 13 access 1. Head west on white-blazed FLT, over two bridges that were built by an AlleyCat crew. Ascend through the woods, reaching N. Urbana Rd. then return down the hill back to Birdseye Hollow Rd.

Su3 - High Tor WMA

Meeting Point	Hickory Hill Campground, Bath, NY
Meeting Time	8:45 AM
Hike Starts	Access 5D (Blue Trail) parking lot
Map	B1 View Map Buy Map
Mileage	~3 miles
Difficulty	Moderate to Hard
Hike Leader	Steve Ellsworth
Description	From Parish Hill Rd parking lot, take the blue/yellow trail uphill. Then descend on stairs to the stream. Cross over a bridge dedicated to the memory of Tom Noteware. Go uphill to views of the gorge and hills to the west. After a little more uphill, come to junction with yellow trail to the right. Follow this trail along the gorge and down steeply to CR245, enjoy the views along the way. Take road back to car or car spot at this point.

Explore On Your Own

Bath National Cemetery

Location: VA Medical Center, San Juan Avenue
Bath, NY 14810
Grounds open sunrise to sunset
https://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/bath.asp

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Transportation museum with a large aviation collection
Location: 8419 NY-54, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Open 9am-5pm
https://glennhcurtissmuseum.org/

New York State Fish Hatchery

Open to the public for visiting
Location: 7169 Fish Hatchery Rd, Bath, NY 14810

Corning Museum of Glass

Location: 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830
Open 9am-7pm
https://home.cmog.org/

Keuka Lake State Park

Boat launch, Hiking
Location: 3560 Pepper Rd, Keuka Park, NY 14478
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/keukalake/maps.aspx

Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Location: 8231 Pleasant Valley Rd, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Open 10am-5pm
https://www.flbm.org/

Templar Falls

Location: Templar Falls, 2801-2821 Locust Ln, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
About 30 min drive from venue

Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves

Hike in beautiful Natural Areas and Preserves managed by the Finger Lakes Land Trust in Tompkins County and surrounding Counties.
See GoFingerLakes.org for an interactive map of over 50 hiking, biking, paddling, skiing, and outdoor adventure destinations across the region!

Windmill Farm and Craft Market

Location: 3900 NY-14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527
https://www.thewindmill.com/

Stony Brook State Park

Hiking, Swimming, Waterfalls
Location: 10820 Route 36 South, Dansville, NY 14437
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/stonybrook/details.aspx

Watkins Glen State Park

Hiking, Swimming, Waterfalls
Location: 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen/maps.aspx

Village of Watkins Glen, NY
Village of Hammondsport, NY

Breweries, Distilleries, Wineries (Please check opening hours)

Pleasant Valley Wine
Chateau Renaissance Wine Cellars
Tub Town Brewing
Steuben Brewing Co.
Finger Lakes Beer Company
The Brewery of Broken Dreams
Keuka Brewing Co.
Burgers & Beer of Hammondsport
Over the Bridge Wine
Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery
Barrelhouse 6 Distillery
Krooked Tusker Distillery
Canada Wine Co.
Heron Hill Winery
Bully Hill Vineyards
Keuka Lake Vineyards
Living Roots Finger Lakes

Protected: TEST County Hike Series Information

March 18, 2023/in County Hike, Test /by Finger Lakes

FLT50/100

March 4, 2023/in FLT 50/100 /by Christy Post

FLT50 & FLT100 2025 Challenge

New!

New This Year – Help Support the Trail with Every Step!

The FLT50 and FLT100 hiking challenges are back for 2025! This year, we’ve added an optional fundraising component, allowing participants to support the trail with every step.

How the Challenge Works

Participants choose between two challenge goals: hike 50 or 100 miles on the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) and its branch trails between January 1 and December 31st, 2025.
At registration, each participant will receive a unique registration number—this number is required for logging miles.
All mileage must be logged by December 31st, 2025.
Upon completion of their goal, participants will receive a patch, sticker, and certificate, mailed out on a monthly basis.

Participation Options

1. Standard Registration (Non-Fundraiser)

For those who prefer the traditional challenge experience, you may register as a non-fundraiser.
A registration fee covers the cost of patches, stickers, and certificates.

2. Fundraising Registration (Optional)

Participants may fundraise by asking friends, family, or coworkers to sponsor their challenge.
Sponsors commit to donating $0.25, $0.50, $1, or more per mile completed, up to the participant’s goal (either 50 or 100 miles).
Fundraising participants do not pay a registration fee but must raise a minimum of $20 for their patches, stickers, and certificates to be mailed.
Self-sponsorship is allowed.

Fundraising Details & Prizes

Top fundraisers (by total funds raised and total number of unique sponsors) will receive a special FLTC prize.
Sponsors are encouraged to register their pledges with the FLTC office to be notified when their participant completes the challenge.
To register sponsors, participants can:
- Submit a printed sponsor registration form to the FLTC office.
- Direct sponsors to register online (link provided at registration).
Participants must share their participant ID number with sponsors to ensure donations are correctly attributed.
Donations must be received by the FLTC office by December 31st, 2025 to count toward the fundraising prize.

Share your stories and photos. Please tag them @fingerlakestrail and use the hashtags #FLT50, #FLT100, and #fingerlakestrail. We will use some of them in Footnotes, FLT News, and other promotional materials.

We look forward to your participation and can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

Registration Forms

Use this registration form if you wish to be a participant and hike either 50 or 100 miles.

Participant

Use this registration form if you are sponsoring a participant hiker.

Sponsor

Track Your Miles

Looking for a way to track your miles? We have you covered. You can download our handy mileage tracking sheet. We offer both PDF and Excel Spreadsheet versions.

The online mileage submission form will be available soon.

Submit Your Miles

FLT 50 Mileage Submit Form

	Click the menu button in the upper right for commands to Change the map background and Adjust map opacity,
	Click the button in the upper right to view the map in the full window. Then click the geolocate button to show your present GPS location on the map.
The following symbols appear on the map (use the Hide/Show Symbols menu in the upper right to control symbol visibility):
	Information about FLTC Maps, Loop Maps, Guides and GPS files you can purchase from the FLTC Store. Also, connect to Trail Condition Notices directly from the symbols.
	Trailhead with parking. Click the symbol for more information and for driving directions.
	Parking prohibited by law or landowner request.
	Parking Advisory – Limited or poor parking; some have nearby alternatives.
	Camping, including lean-tos, bivouac sites, public and private campgrounds. See Lean-tos, Bivouac Areas, and Campgrounds for more information
	Hunting closures. See Hunting Season Schedules for more information.
	Potable water
	Water source – TREAT BEFORE DRINKING
	FLT Passport hike is nearby. Click the icon to view details, obtain a map, or obtain the guidebook.
	Google street view. Drag the icon onto highlighted streets and click. (For more information)
	½-mile tickmark – hover over a tickmark to display the mileage along the trail segment (Use Hide/Show Symbols menu to show the tickmarks).
	Connections to other long-distance hiking trails.

	Click the menu button in the upper right for commands to Change the map background and Adjust map opacity,
	Click the button in the upper right to view the map in the full window. Then click the geolocate button to show your present GPS location on the map.
The following symbols appear on the map (use the Hide/Show Symbols menu to control symbol visibility):
	Click for information about FLTC Maps, Loop Maps, Guides and GPS files you can purchase from the FLTC Store. Gray rectangles show the coverage area of each map. Also, connect to Trail Condition Notices directly from the symbols.
	Trailhead with parking. Click the symbol for more information. GPS coordinates, and for driving directions.
	Parking prohibited by law or landowner request.
	Parking Advisory – Limited or poor parking; some have nearby alternatives.
	Camping: lean-tos, bivouacs, public and private campgrounds. See Lean-tos, Bivouacs, and Campgrounds for more information
	Hunting closures. See Hunting Season Schedules for more information.
	Potable water Water source – TREAT BEFORE DRINKING
	½-mile tickmark – hover over a tickmark to display the mileage along the trail segment (Use Hide/Show Symbols menu to show the tickmarks).
	Connections to other long-distance hiking trails.

	Click the menu button in the upper right for commands to Change the map background and Adjust map opacity,
	Click the button in the upper right to view the map in the full window. Then click the geolocate button to show your present GPS location on the map.
The following symbols appear on the map (use the Hide/Show Symbols menu to control symbol visibility):
	Click for information about FLTC Maps, Loop Maps, Guides and GPS files you can purchase from the FLTC Store. Gray rectangles show the coverage area of each map. Also, connect to Trail Condition Notices directly from the symbols.
	Trailhead with parking. Click the symbol for more information. GPS coordinates, and for driving directions.
	Parking prohibited by law or landowner request.
	Camping: lean-tos, bivouacs, public and private campgrounds. See Lean-tos, Bivouacs, and Campgrounds for more information
	Hunting closures. See Hunting Season Schedules for more information.
	Potable water Water source – TREAT BEFORE DRINKING
	½-mile tickmark – hover over a tickmark to display the mileage along the trail segment (use Hide/Show Symbols menu to show the tickmarks)
	Connections to other long-distance hiking trails.


CLASS OF 2024	CLASS OF 2023
Ann Bayley	Donna Flood
Lisette Brennan	Sharon Ray
Christine DeGolyer	Willa Powell
Tim Holahan
Terry Meacham
CLASS OF 2022	CLASS OF 2021	CLASS OF 2020
Peg Fuller	Ann Bayley	Donna Flood
Scott Geiger	Rich Breslin	Laurie Ondrejka
Roger Hopkins	Scott Brooks	Mike Ogden
Tim Sweeney	Terry Meacham	Dave Newlun
Peter Wybron
CLASS OF 2019	CLASS OF 2018	CLASS OF 2017
Roger Hopkins	Scott Brooks	Michael Ogden
Tim Sweeney*	Bob Kremens	Debra Nero
David Tuttle	Terry Meacham	Sieglinde Schwinge
	Laurie Ondrejka	Wendy Stevenson
	Anna Keeton*	Donna Flood*

CLASS OF 2016	FUN CLASS OF 2015	CLASS OF 2014
Cate Concannon	Scott Brooks	Scott Bahantka
David Drum	Donna Coon*	Jon Bowen
Donna Flood	Roger Hopkins	Donna Cole
Roger Hopkins*	Terry Meacham	Melanie Okoniewski
David Tuttle	Laurie Ondrejka	Sigi Schwinge

CLASS OF 2013	CLASS OF 2012	CLASS OF 2011
Cathy Concannon	Patricia Haynes	Jon Bowen
Phil Dankert	Roger Hopkins	Bill Coffin
David Drum	Phil Metzger	Terry Meacham
Donna Flood	John A-X Morris	Ray Recchia
Gail Merian	Ken Reek	Sigi Schwinge

CLASS OF 2010	CLASS OF 2009	CLASS OF 2008
Phil Dankert	Richard Breslin	Dawn Bennett
Cheryl Peluso	Vicky Gaeta	Linda Cruttenden
Georgeanne Vyverberg	John A-X. Morris	Scott Lauffer
George Zacharek	Irene Szabo	Terry Meacham
		Jacqui Wensich

	Enter GPS coordinates (Latitude, Longitude) or an address (street address, town, or zip code) and click Find to recenter the map at that location.
	Click on the center tool to show a small cross-hair in the center of the map. The tool shows the coordinates of the center if you pan or scroll the map.

	Enter GPS coordinates (Latitude, Longitude) or an address (street address, town, or zip code) and click Find to recenter the map at that location.
	Click on the center tool to show a small cross-hair in the center of the map. The tool shows the latitude and longitude coordinates of the center if you pan or scroll the map.
	Select a map background from the list in the upper right. Use the menu icons to find tools to measure distance and control background opacity.

Registration Options

Hiker Information

Emergency Contact Information

Consent

Additional Children (Optional)

Donation

Payment Information

More About Our Founders

Wally Wood

Erv Markert

Howard Beye

Ed Sidote

Registration Options

Hiker Information

Emergency Contact Information

Consent

Additional Children (Optional)

Donation

Payment Information

Section Break

Registration Options

Hiker Information

Emergency Contact Information

Consent

Additional Children (Optional)

Donation

Payment Information

2025 County Hike Series – Allegany County

Registration Options and Rates

Hike Information

Bath National Cemetery

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

New York State Fish Hatchery

Corning Museum of Glass

Keuka Lake State Park

Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Templar Falls

Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserves

Windmill Farm and Craft Market

Stony Brook State Park

Watkins Glen State Park

Village of Watkins Glen, NY Village of Hammondsport, NY

Breweries, Distilleries, Wineries (Please check opening hours)

FLT50 & FLT100 2025 Challenge

How the Challenge Works

Participation Options

1. Standard Registration (Non-Fundraiser)

2. Fundraising Registration (Optional)

Fundraising Details & Prizes

Registration Forms

Track Your Miles

Submit Your Miles

FLT Service Center

Village of Watkins Glen, NY
Village of Hammondsport, NY