Cascadilla Gorge Trail

The Cascadilla Gorge Trail at Cornell University is a short but stunning hike that plunges you into a world of waterfalls and dramatic rock formations. The trail climbs alongside Cascadilla Creek as it carves its way through the gorge, offering beautiful views. The trail itself is well-maintained, with stone steps and pathways that make it accessible for most people, though there are some steep sections to be aware of. The sound of the rushing water is constant and invigorating, and the cool mist in the air is especially welcome on a hot day. While the hike is relatively short, it's packed with natural beauty and provides a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It's a must-do for anyone visiting Cornell or the Ithaca area!

It's a nice trail in the middle of Ithica. It's really easy to get to and very scenic. It's not a hard trail at all. Unfortunately part of the trail is blocked off. It looks like it was going to lead to a bridge. Unfortunately it wasn't assessable when I went.

Even though the trail was closed at the bridge, we still thought it was gorgeous. Visit in the fall if you can as it is the most beautiful. In any season though, it is worth a visit.

This is a fantastic trail with so much packed into such a small area. There are multiple waterfalls, several areas to just wet your feet, no swimming allowed. The area is rather well shaded at mid day so it is a good place for short afternoon walk. It's not too difficult, but there are steps, lots of them and many are not even. There is a lot of slate so be careful on the slippery areas.

The lower part of this trail is closed, but you can still enjoy some views of the waterfall

When visit on September 1,2025 the trail was closed after the bridge!!! The stairs are gradual and it’s a beautiful scenic place!!

One of the best shorter hiking places in Ithaca! So many nice little waterfalls! Be prepared for summer of 2025 though because only one third of the trail at the bottom. Some kind of repair work going on.

Short hike, part of the trail was closed and it's been dry so not a lot of flow. I still enjoyed it. Worth going.

This awesome trail is right in downtown Ithaca. Parking is a little tricky, but there are free spots and park to pay spots. Definitely read the signage! I read some reviews about this trail before going and everything was accurate and amazing. It's a simple enough trail that is just over 1 mile out and back. Dogs are allowed and there are several steps. It's very peaceful and beautiful. There is a waterfall around every corner!

The Cascadilla Gorge Trail in Ithaca, NY is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. This picturesque trail spans approximately 1.5 miles, offering a beautiful and immersive hiking experience. The trail winds along the gorge, showcasing stunning waterfalls, lush greenery, and captivating rock formations. With well-maintained pathways and safety features, the Cascadilla Gorge Trail is a perfect destination for a refreshing and scenic hike. Don't forget to wear appropriate footwear and take your time to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Great short trail! If you are short on time this is one of the best hikes. Parking can be tough since there is only street parking.

A very lovely hike especially with the fall colors. Stunning waterfalls in a beautiful gorge. High walls of shale. A nicely maintained path with plenty of steps for a good workout. Not many towns much less campuses have such a great asset. I suggest you begin your hike in town at the bottom so your return trip can be downhill. You can go customize the hike to your desired length. Look for fossils along the way in the rock beds. Convenient hike from right downtown and free. Perfect.

Heading to Ithaca for a visit? Cascadilla Gorge Trail is an absolute MUST do. I would recommend grabbing lunch in the commons and then taking the two block walk over to the gorge entrance at Court Street. You can take the walk all the way over into Cornell and browse around there if you have the time. We went with our puppy dog and didn't make it the whole way, but WOW - what a treat this walk was. Stop and take it all in! This "walk" is actually quite a workout with hundreds of stairs and lots of opportunities to fall into the gorge. The rocks are incredibly slippery and there are many spots that are not safe to enter in. When you find the spots that are, I highly recommend getting into the water! My dog is usually pretty afraid of water and walked right in with me. The views are incredible and we went on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon during Coronatimes, and didn't find it too crowded. Again, if you're planning a visit, this is a must must must. Happy walking and enjoy the rush!

Imagine walking down a residential street, seeing a trail head and within a few hundred feet you are looking at an immensely cool waterfall... and that's just the beginning, as the steps and trail built alongside the rushing waters keep taking you up and up and up and you keep seeing a different waterfall every few hundred feet, each one an impressive display of the artistry that mother nature can accomplish with rushing water and a few thousand years. The side walls along the hike are also impressive showcases of the beauty that time and water can create given sandstone and slate as the elements to work with; there are some truly monumental walls along the way as you go up, and up, and up until you end up on another side street in Cornell University!

GORGES!!! Such an amazing paved trail with spectacular views of waterfalls and bridges right on the Cornell campus. It's an absolute must-do if you're in Ithaca! We went around 4 PM on a weekday in mid-November, and it wasn't crowded at all, so we were able to get some nice photos. Everyone we did see was wearing a mask. :)

Excellent trail. Recommended by a friend from Cornell. Quite short but has over 10 waterfalls. I was in a hurry to get back to the Cornell campus from the Commons area and I started from the west end of the trail. It is definitely the best place to start cause all the waterfalls are coming to you and it was stunning when they appeared. There are some stairs to hike up but not too bad (around 400 feet ascension). The trail is only 1.5 miles in total, I did half the trail and got on to the exit at the college avenue stone arch bridge. It was so refreshing and I almost cannot believe there is such beautiful place underneath the small town when I got up.

Unfortunately the day I went, the trail was closed, but I was able to get a picture of one of the falls. It was so beautiful and peaceful there. I hope the full trail is open and not blocked by gates next time I visit.

This is a beautiful trail that takes you past six waterfalls in Ithaca. The Yelp location will take you to one of the entrances and there is plenty of free street parking. Sometimes they close the trail due to slippery conditions and apparently there's been some deaths with people falling in. If you are lucky or resourceful enough to get on the trail, it's a nice hike with a beautiful gorge, many waterfalls and tranquil nature. You don't get a total nature immersion as you would in a forest because there are some houses that are situated above the gorge and you can actually hear the music from some of them, but it's a great little trail nonetheless. Lots of running water and peaceful moments. Definitely a great stop to hit if you're in Ithaca!

Drove around Cornell University and stumbled upon this treasure. Absolutely beautiful trail with waterfalls. We didn't hike the whole thing because we wanted to check out the Commons before they closed, but we will definitely be back to finish what we started! There is street parking nearby. Make sure you read the parking signs that a little confusing. Not sure how strict they are about street parking.

We were looking for relatively easy trails that we could tackle in an hour or so. Cascadilla seemed as though it might be too easy, and I couldn't find the actual length posted. I did want to see the gorge around Cornell again, so we gave it a shot. Turned out to be a beautiful hike, relatively short, but hundreds of stairs. I clocked .7 miles one way and an elevation change of 294'. It took us about an hour total, with lots of stops for pictures. Some of the stairs were uneven, so you do need to take some care, and be able to handle a lot of them, especially on a hot and muggy day. But the beauty of the numerous waterfalls along the way make it well worth it. I'd recommend starting at the low end at Cascadilla Park Road and walking towards Ithaca, so you can save the easy downhill for the return. I was lucky enough to find a parking spot on the street right at the trail head.

OK this is gonna be the FGT edition (Fat Guy Tips) ... Yeah yeah I'm actually a dudester ... The moniker is supposed to be like the Rolling Stones song (or John Hughes movie character if you must) ... Point being in days of yore I used to scramble up & down this thing , even when late twilight was falling to pitch darkness I might add , and it never bothered me a jot ... But now in my fifties and topping out at 300-350 (something like that, it's been a long time since I could see the scale haw haw), I find it a bit scary! ... Don't go when it's muddy ... & don't sneak in when they've closed it for good reasons ... Go when it's dry -- & put your dang gel insoles in your dang shoes ... As Dr. Scholl's might put it, " R U Gellin' ?!? " ... By the time you get to the bottom you'll be familiar with the meaning of the term "shock absorption" ... in the pedestrian sense!! Oh yeah & did I mention , let all the young whipper-snappers go by ... Just hang back in an alcove and let them pass ! ... They have a little less "belly ballast" than you do -- if you're like me I mean! ... And most importantly of all, don't walk UP it (well, unless you're pretty dang sure of yourself ... admittedly I've got a lung problem in addition to the weighty-ness!) ... If you want, just take the #30 from Green Street to Collegetown ... (The bus stop is just steps from the gorge entrance, albeit at this writing at a kind of a perpendicular during the latest incarnation of the construction re-route) So be brave but cautious fat guys! ... Enjoy the gorge!

The BEST place for hiking and climbing through waterfalls! It's free, there's street parking, and it's absolutely beautiful. Kids could totally handle this hike.

Hike, yes and no, its a pathed hike with steps. No rocks to climb or getting dirty. Worth it? OMG YES. The whole walk back and forth takes about 1 hour and you see about 15 waterfalls each different, bring your cameras.

Down trail is doable for the fit but if you have a knee problem it's challenging. That said it was beautiful and scenic. There are some areas you can dip your toes.

Excellent spot. 1) The main gorge has a giant waterfalls with multiple tiers. 2) The first tier of the waterfalls is under a bridge which is covered with nets to prevent Cornell students from commuting suicide. 3) The remaining drops are a quick walk away.

Perfect "trail" for fake hikers like myself with stunning waterfalls and scenery. It is paved with steps as you make your way up to the top to see the many different waterfalls. When you get to the top, you are right in the vicinity of Cornell's campus, which we explored before heading back down. It is peaceful and easy for people of any age. Would definitely recommend!

We wanted to see some GORGEOUS GORGES (lol see what I did there?) before we left Ithaca, but we were in a rush and didn't have time to leave the city center. Who knew there was such a quick and easy hiking trail right next to Cornell?! The hiking is not really even hiking...It's a paved walking trail with steps, so even children can do this trail very easily. You'll see several waterfalls and have a lot of opportunity for photos. Check it out!

We arrived on a gloomy overcast Sunday at 9am. The trail had a few people on it, but not crowded at all. We loved this trail! The waterfalls were all beautiful, nice winding path, a stone bridge and views all made this a perfect spot with 2 children. There is one spot that the railing needs to be repaired, but is has caution tape to let visitors know. We would definitely visit again.

My dad and I took a walk on the Cascadilla Gorge Trail after lunch at Collegetown Bagels. It was simply beautiful...so many textures of rock, lovely flowing waterfalls, nice scenery. It was a fun thing for us to do and we would not hesitate to do it again if in the area. It's a great way to get some stair climbing in too.

A serene, quiet awe itself. Geological miracle humbling self-claimed almighty humans.

Absolutely beautiful and slightly challenging trail. At every turn there is another waterfall, bigger that the previous one. The water levels were on the lower side when we visited, but it's still amazing. So many gorgeous spots for picture taking! Folks with some mobility issues can still enjoy by staying near the lower falls. Able bodies should definitely go all the way up!

Yay!! I love this trail! The last time I walked down was when I was a sophomore (back in the noughties) and I took the trail all the way down to the commons. Most recently, I was visiting Ithaca with my family and dog and we walked down and enjoyed the view. Unfortunately, because of a few suicide incidents, Cornell has installed nets by the bridge which have made the view a little less picturesque. Super fun, free, and there are spots where you can dip your feet if you're looking to cool off in the summer.

This picturesque Gorge Trail separates the Collegetown neighborhood from the Cornell campus. If you're in the neighborhood, it is a site which shouldn't be missed. Sometimes it is closed during the winter.