New York · Hiking

Gorge Trail

Gorge TrailPhoto: Ron Shawley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.1 mi
one way
319 ft
climb
993 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Aug–Sep
best months

Gorge Trail is a 1.1-mile moderate hike in Watkins Glen State Park in New York, managed by State Park and Recreation. The route rises from about 824 feet to a high point of 993 feet, with a total elevation gain of 319 feet. The climb is front-loaded, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 37 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 79°F with lows near 56°F, while the station sits about 500 feet higher than the trail's start, so temperatures on the trail run a little warmer. The trail is short enough to fit into a half day. Indian Trail lies just 0.2 miles away, and the Catharine Valley Trail and Montour Falls Historic Loop Trail are within about 3 miles. For an overnight stay, the Finger Lakes Trail Shelter is about 5.8 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Gorge Trail

    Best months: August–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.

    1. Jan

      30° / 14°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      32° / 15°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 21°

      15 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 32°

      14 wet

    5. May

      66° / 43°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 52°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 56°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 55°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 48°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 39°

      15 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 30°

      14 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 21°

      17 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mecklenburg 4sw, NY, 7.8 mi away at 1,510 ft. The station sits about 500 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Indian TrailPhoto: Ron Shawley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Indian Trail

Next door

0.97-mile point-to-point trail in New York with 322 ft gain and 416 ft loss.

Montour Falls Historic Loop TrailPhoto: Russ Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Montour Falls Historic Loop Trail

~5 min drive

A 4.52-mile point-to-point historic trail through Montour Falls, New York.

Interloken TrailPhoto: Seabamirum from Ithaca, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Interloken Trail

~10 min drive

A 10.91-mile point-to-point New York trail through scenic terrain.

Catherine Valley TrailPhoto: Russ Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Catherine Valley Trail

~6 min drive

8.8-mile out-and-back hike in New York with 2,029 ft elevation gain

FINGER LAKESPhoto: andyarthur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

FINGER LAKES

~10 min drive

1.1-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 291 ft elevation gain

Backbone TrailPhoto: javajoe6, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Backbone Trail

~17 min drive

11.22-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 1,127 ft elevation gain

Finger Lakes / North Country TrailPhoto: Seabamirum from Ithaca, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Finger Lakes / North Country Trail

~10 min drive

4.6-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 1,151 ft elevation gain

South SlopePhoto: javajoe6, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Slope

~10 min drive

1.59-mile out-and-back trail in New York with 212 ft elevation gain

Burnt HillPhoto: javajoe6, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Burnt Hill

~13 min drive

Burnt Hill is a 4.05-mile loop in New York with 163 ft gain.

Mohawk TrailPhoto: andyarthur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mohawk Trail

~11 min drive

2.4-mile out-and-back hike in New York with 897 ft elevation gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors