Cataract Trail
Photo: ethan.gosnell2, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 0.4 mi
- round trip
- 79 ft
- climb
- 525 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Sep
- best months
Cataract Trail is a short, out-and-back hike in New York, about 17 miles from Niagara Falls. The route is 0.78 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 79 feet, and it is rated moderate. The trail starts at about 502 feet and reaches a high point of 525 feet before returning to the start. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.14 miles in, where the grade reaches 7 percent. The whole trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a quick addition to a day spent exploring the Niagara Falls area. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Niagara Falls show July highs around 82°F with lows near 63°F, while winter highs stay in the low 30s. Several other trails lie within a short drive. Louth Side Trail and Lower Falls Side Trail are each about 2 miles away, and Laura Secord Legacy Trail and Laura Secord Trail are both about 6 miles off.
Best time to go · Jun–Sep
Best time to visit Cataract Trail
Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
33° / 19°
18 wet
Feb
35° / 19°
15 wet
Mar
43° / 26°
14 wet
Apr
56° / 36°
13 wet
May
69° / 48°
13 wet
Jun
78° / 58°
11 wet
Jul
82° / 63°
11 wet
Aug
80° / 61°
10 wet
Sep
74° / 54°
10 wet
Oct
61° / 43°
13 wet
Nov
49° / 33°
14 wet
Dec
39° / 25°
16 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Niagara Falls, NY, 21.1 mi away at 588 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
