UPDATED: Aug. 30, 2017 at 3:01 a.m.

Hundreds of waterfalls, hiking trails and campgrounds are scattered throughout central New York. Take advantage of the first three-day weekend of the fall semester to hit the trails — before the reality of classes kicks in. Here are options for hiking near Syracuse:

Green Lakes State Park

Nestled within about 17,000 acres of land are two emerald lakes.

“They’re a beautiful blue-green color and have crystal clear waters,” said Laura Tully, manager at Green Lakes State Park. “Our biggest draw is the lakes and therefore the beach.”

The Green Lakes are meromictic lakes, meaning their water layers do not intermix. The lake, located on the northern end of the park has a sandy beach open for swimming, Tully said. An all-terrain wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the summer rowboats and paddleboats can be rented from the boathouse, although privately owned boats and paddleboards are not permitted.

With almost 20 trails stretching out over 17 miles there is a level of difficulty suitable for beginners to the super athletic. About half of the trails can also be used for biking, Tully said.

“It’s the kind of place where if you have one hour to kill you can easily come take a walk around the lake,” Tully said. “And if you’re looking to be here the whole day there’s plenty to do.”

With the largest concentration of grassland habitat in the New York State Park system, Green Lakes is the place for bird lovers. The mature forest and grassland habitat create an environment where 170 species of birds can thrive. The fair provides a bird checklist for those who want to try their hand at finding them all.

“Another big draw is our 18-hole golf course, famously designed by Robert Trent Jones,” Tully said.

Other park features include campsites, tent and trailer sites, pavilions and playgrounds.

Tinker Falls

With a singular quarter-mile trail the hiking component of Tinker Falls is a means to an end — an 80-foot-tall waterfall with a 50-foot overhanging free fall and 30 feet of rocky cascade.

The Gorge Trail, paved in gravel, has a series of dips and drops deemed manageable by a novice to intermediate hiker, said Dave Sinclair, a regional forester.

“You can be up and back in half an hour or so,” Sinclair said.

Experienced hikers and climbers can climb the side of the falls to get on the loose shale ledge behind the 50-foot drop, Sinclair said.

Two sets of stone stairs were added three years ago to ease access to an area at the top and behind the falls.

Chittenango Falls State Park

The Onondaga Limestone at Chittenango Falls cascades like a staircase.

“The falls is what Chittenango is about,” said park representative Betty Deluna.

Wooden signs line the Gorge Trail. Beginner to intermediate hikers are encouraged to explore the half-mile paved trail. The main trail flows through the main entrance to the base of the waterfall. While the trail is marked for beginners, hikers are warned of the humidity, unevenness, slip and plant-filled path. A bridge leads hikers over the creek bed and through the rest of the trail.

Hikers can also explore three other trails in addition to the Gorge Trail, all with a maximum difficulty of intermediate.

Onondaga Trail

The Onondaga Trail accounts for about 40 miles of the more than 900 miles of hiking trail in the Finger Lakes Trail system and is part of a 4,000 mile federal hiking trail, said Neil Woodworth, executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Throughout the past few years the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club has worked to add miles to the trail. The trail cuts through state, county and private land.

“A very important part of the Onondaga Trail does cross private land, and that’s possible because of the graciousness of those landowners,” Woodworth said.

The trail offers a backpacking option through the Link Trail and Finger Lakes Trail. The backpacking loop, named the Onondaga Finger Link Loop, is about 100 miles. The Adirondack Club recommends people do a two or three daylong biking trip before undertaking a longer excursion, Woodworth said.

Baltimore Woods

Located in Marcellus, this trail offers 3 miles of relatively flat hiking, perfect for apprehensive or less physically fit hikers. The trail rests on 180 acres, the bulk of which is a central New York land trust property.

“As a nature center, we maintain the land here and operate our programs on central New York land trust land,” said Stacy Drake, marketer at Baltimore Woods.

Baltimore Woods offers 6 miles of trail systems. The most popular trail is the Boundary Trail, which is also the longest at about 1.4 miles long.

There is no admission or parking fee, and the parks are open from dawn till dusk every day of the year.

Drake said one of her favorite spots is at the mouth of the Valley Trail.

“If you take the upper valley loop, as you come across the ridgeline and you begin to realize the scope and breath of the property,” Drake said. “…. As you descend the valley trail, it’s a vista of forest canopy.”

Ithaca Gorges

There are about a hundred waterfalls and gorges within a 10-mile radius of Ithaca, said Peggy Coleman, Ithaca’s tourism director.

Coleman said the beauty of the community is that people can see the waterfall while driving through. There are also sections of the gorge that people can hike through and take a dip in the swimming hole. For those short on time, there’s Ithaca Falls.

Taughannock Falls State Park in Ithaca measures three stories taller than Niagara Falls. It’s the tallest single drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.

“People can literally drive to the top of the state park and walk over to the overlook,” Coleman said. “It’s absolutely spectacular all year round.

Letchworth State Park

Under three hours away is the “Grand Canyon of the East”: Letchworth State Park. The park boasts three waterfalls that reach up to 600 feet high with the Genesee River running through them.

Trails are available for biking, white water rafting, kayaking, hot air ballooning, hiking and horseback riding in the summer, according to the park’s website. Letchworth also offers winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

For anything overnight, the Glen Iris Inn is the place to be. It recently went under a major renovation, maintaining its historic integrity with all the comfort of a modern hotel. The inn’s kitchen is also open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The post has been updated with appropriate style.

Published on August 29, 2017 at 9:25 pm

Contact Stacy: sfern100@syr.edu | @StacyFernandezB