Let the lake breezes refresh along 3,400 feet of eastern Cayuga Lake shoreline at this Finger Lakes Land Trust property that includes 1.5 miles of hiking trails wooded hillsides, fields, and several streams with cascading waterfalls. Parking is roadside near the marked trailhead, and you can follow the trail down to the lake’s edge, discovering native plants along the way.

The route of the former Black Diamond Express rail line, this 8.5-mile multiuse trail now connects Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg to Cass Park in Ithaca, with a trailhead located behind the Ithaca Children’s Garden. There are numerous trail access points, its year-round use includes walkers, cyclists and cross-country skiers. It’s also a great place to walk a dog, just make sure your canine friends are leashed.

See the culmination of the Buttermilk Creek’s 600-foot drop through a gorge on the southernmost edge of the City of Ithaca. This lower fall is 165-feet tall, and creates a churn into a pool at the bottom that gave it its name. Located in a state park, there is a parking fee, but there are five trails here ready for exploring a variety of landscapes.

The start of Buttermilk Creek is in the upper area of the state park, which also features hiking trails through woodlands, along the gorge and rim, and a small lake. It’s also the perfect place for a shady picnic. During the winter months, take care to follow all posted signage for safety reasons, and trails may be closed due to snow and ice.

Hidden gem perfectly describes this trail, tucked into a gorge just a few blocks from the Ithaca Commons. This historic set of stone trails and staircases, originally constructed in the late-1920s, connects downtown to Cornell University’s campus from mid-April through November. There are no designated parking areas, but paid spots can be found near both ends of the trail.

Covering 25 acres of botanical gardens and 150 acres of an arboretum, Cornell Botanic Gardens is open year-round. Eleven gardens feature herbs, flowers, vegetables, rhododendrons, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, conifers, container gardens and plants with winter interest. To enhance the experience, an audio tour is available for each garden.

Built on the former railroad bed of the Elmira, Cortland & Northern Railroad, this multiuse trail is a great place to go walking, biking, jogging, and birding. You might even see horseback riders. Parking is available off Game Farm Road near Cornell’s campus, and its close proximity to the university makes it a heavily used commuter trail.

A 150-feet tall and 175-feet wide waterfall, with cliffs rising another 100-feet, this waterfall is guaranteed to provide rushing waters year-round. Visible from the bridge on Lake Street, a closer look at Ithaca Falls is available via a loose stone trail. A popular fishing spot for people, as well as birds of prey, visitors are asked to remain on the path and stay out of the water for their safety.

This nature preserve in West Danby includes 537 acres of forest, meadows, kettle ponds, and wetlands. There are nearly four miles of trails open year-round, available for hiking, cross-country skiing and exceptional bird watching. A wetland overlook offering plenty of additional wildlife viewing can be found across the street on Sylvan Lane next to the West Danby Firehouse.

Best reached from the upper entrance of Robert H. Treman State Park, this 115-feet-tall waterfall highlights stunning geology and beautiful stonework. After viewing the falls, descend the Gorge Trail and cross the stream to ascend the cliffside staircase for a view of the falls from above. Take caution to follow posted signage, and trails may be closed during colder weather due to snow and ice.

This 230-acre area is home to the world-renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Four miles of easy walking trails lead you through forest and wetlands, offering sights of a wide array of birds. The hidden gem here is a sculpture created for the site by nature artist Andy Goldsworthy. While the visitor center is closed for renovations, the trails remain open from dawn to dusk, and there are self-guided audio tours available. Note that dogs and bicycles are not permitted.

Close to Ithaca College, this multiuse trail is mostly built on the abandoned Cayuga and Susquehanna Railroad bed. Running through wooded areas, with many creek crossings and small gorges, the trail is great for walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There is a designated parking area on Juniper Road, and there are numerous benches and picnic tables positioned at scenic points along the trail.

The glacial-carving effects of the last Ice Age can be seen along these Finger Lakes Land Trust trails that descend from the rim into the Lick Brook gorge. Multiple waterfalls are found here, including a 140-foot-tall cascade at the bottom of the gorge. In addition to the 1.5 miles of trails here, hikers can access Buttermilk Falls State Park via a Finger Lakes Trail spur.

Bordering more than 2,000 acres of protected open space, the Tapan Mitra Preserve connects to miles of hiking trails and provides access to the Cayuga Inlet, a popular trout fishing stream. The preserve contains a short segment of the Finger Lakes Trail, allowing hikers access to Robert H. Treman State Park on one side and the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s Lick Brook Gorge preserves on the other.

A spectacular waterfall in a well-maintained state park, Taughannock Falls is one of many sights within the park. One of the most popular falls in the region, the 215-feet-tall natural attraction is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Taughannock roars during spring, drawing thousands of onlookers who hike the wide winding canyon to the viewing area at its base.

Adjacent to the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s Sweedler Preserve, the Thayer Preserve features more gentle topography with steep banks, a few low cliffs, and a bedrock stream bed with small waterfalls. A one-mile trail guides visitors through mature forest with eastern hemlock, white oak, and sugar maple which provide ample shade and habitat for various songbirds and the ubiquitous red eft.

Explore Beebe Lake Natural Area on a one-mile loop trail around the man-made lake in the heart of Cornell University’s campus. The scenic trail passes through mature and old-growth forests, over the historic Sackett Bridge, and past many lake views and stone seating areas. From the Triphammer Footbridge, enjoy picturesque views across the lake, over Beebe Dam and into Fall Creek Gorge.

After taking a stroll to its base, make sure to experience Taughannock Falls from above, too, to get its full effect. To get there, head up the hill from the overlook to the end of Taughannock Park Road and turn left onto Jacksonville Road. Just beyond the bridge there is a small gravel parking lot, which also serves as access to the Black Diamond Trail, and follow a short path through the woods to a former railroad trestle that has been paved for pedestrian traffic.