New York
Nature|Hiking

The Exhilarating Fall Creek Suspension Bridge Hike In New York That Everyone Must Experience At Least Once

The Fall Creek Suspension Bridge in Ithaca, New York offers a thrilling experience with stunning views and historical significance.

Published Apr 1, 2022

Written by 

Celina Colby

New York City may be the queen of tall buildings, but out in Ithaca, New York you can face a whole new kind of height: the Fall Creek Suspension Bridge lifted 140 feet off the ground across a rushing river. The bridge is 270 feet long and has been known to sway and bounce while you walk across.

For those with a fear of heights this may sound terrifying, but locals are accustomed to it. The bridge is located with Cornell's grounds and it's frequented by students and area residents as a convenient cut through.

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TripAdvisor / Prateek70

It's not your typical time saving cut through, but it certainly is stunning. In the fall the bridge is a spectacular place to leaf peep, watching the landscape around you change with the seasons.

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TripAdvisor / Blue Chip Chris

This bridge was built in 1934 as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. The purpose was to create jobs building structures and services that would last. And today that bridge is still very much in service.

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TripAdvisor / Prawet J

If you're brave enough to look down you'll spot the Fall Creek Gorge, cited as one of the most impressive gorges in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.

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TripAdvisor / Cynthia F

The gorge isn't just beautiful nor is it just a habitat for local flora and fauna. The water is also used for hydroelectric power and a drinking water source for Cornell's campus. Ever innovative, those Ivy Leaguers!

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TripAdvisor / Schmutaki

Cornell connected or not, Fall Creek is a beautiful area to visit in the Finger Lakes region. Take a day to hike the whole area and enjoy all the gorge-ous area has to offer.

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TripAdvisor / Krups77

If you're brave enough, take a walk across the Fall Creek Suspension Bridge! It may move with the wind (it's supposed to, don't worry) but we promise it's perfectly safe.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike the Catskills’ Most Challenging Trail in New York for an Unforgettable Adventure

There's a Catskills hiking trail that will test your endurance, but will reward you with some of the best views in New York State.

Published Oct 5, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

A good hike is a great way to spend a day, and it can be a suitable adventure for all ages and skill levels. There are so many great, peaceful, easy hikes that provide a break from the everyday routine, and then there are those hikes that test your endurance and wits before rewarding you with a fantastic sight that can only be seen by those willing to work for it. That's exactly the type of trail you'll find at the Slide Mountain Out-and-Back, a 5.3-mile Catskills hiking trail rated hard by AllTrails. This mighty trail is found in Catskills Park, not far from Kingston, and its remote location and challenging terrain mean this is an ideal adventure to remember for experienced hikers. You'll take a unique journey into New York's ecosystem and history as you conquer a trail that feels like a badge of honor.

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Jake DiMirra/AllTrails

The Slide Mountain Out-and-Back Trail is one of New York's most challenging, boasting an impressive 1,781-foot elevation gain over its 5.3-mile length. That makes it an all-day adventure, especially during the cooler months.

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Kazimir Nyzio/AllTrails

The craggy, well-maintained but uneven, path has some beautiful rock formations along the way. It's ideal for experienced hikers looking for a unique spot to explore, and dogs are welcome as long as they're kept on a leash.

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D G/AllTrails

Part of the park is dedicated to John Burroughs, the writer and naturalist who was key to introducing the Catskills to the American audience in his writings. One look at this place illustrates why he was so enchanted by it.

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Rey Carnevale/AllTrails

One of the best things about this area is how untouched it is. The high elevation leads to a unique ecosystem, filled with mossy areas and plenty of mushrooms. This is a very popular spot for mushroom hunting and foraging; bring a reliable guide and pick with caution!

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Luke Lee/AllTrails

The view when you finish the trail is well worth the adventure, and the whole area is incredibly gorgeous in the middle of fall foliage.

Have you conquered the Slide Mountain Out-and-Back Trail? Let us know what you saw on this unique Catskills hiking trail! For more details and pictures, check out the official AllTrails trail listing, and we highly recommend you subscribe to AllTrails + for this one. The challenging terrain and winding path will be much easier to navigate when you have this app, which offers downloadable trail guides with point-by-point directions, no matter where you are. If you're up for a lighter adventure after this hike, check out why we think Kingston is the perfect fall day trip.

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Nature|Hiking

The Stunning Top-Secret Natural Spring in New York Nobody’s Ever Heard of

The best hidden waterfall in New York is found in a small Central New York wilderness along a challenging but beautiful trail.

Published Sep 28, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New York's waterfalls and springs are famous around the world - especially when you talk about a certain one up north! But New York is actually a big state, and there are some fascinating spots far off the beaten path that are well-worth exploring. You just might have to put some work into getting there. I was surprised to find the best-hidden waterfall in New York was located near the tiny town of North Creek, in the little-known Siamese Ponds Wilderness. That's where you'll find the Shanty Brook Trail, a 1.3-mile trail rated moderate. While it's a short trail, it does pack some unique challenges into its half-hour hike - but we think it's well worth the challenge.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The Shanty Brook Trail is one of New York's hidden gems, found in a deeply remote area of the state with no major towns around. While it's rated moderate, it will require you to venture off well-maintained trails and into some challenging terrain.

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Joe Helt/AllTrails

The most challenging part of this trail comes right at the start, as you'll have to cross the Sacandaga River. This is usually a fairly slow-moving and shallow river, so all you'll need is a good pair of wading boots - but be careful to not take this trail after heavy rain.

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Han Ng/AllTrails

From there, it's a quick but challenging hike uphill until you reach the titular Shanty Brook - a twelve-foot waterfall that makes for amazing photo opportunities. The best part is that the challenging approach means you'll likely have this area all to yourself.

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

Although far from New York's tallest waterfall, the Shanty Brook Waterfall is an incredible sight and can be walked right up to. While this isn't a suitable place for swimming, it is a great place to cool off before heading back!

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Chris Caprood/AllTrails

There are actually eighteen trails in the immediate area of the wilderness, many moderately challenging and remote, making exploring this area this the perfect day of adventure.

Have you hiked the Shanty Brook Trail to see this magical hidden waterfall in New York? Let us know about your hike in the comments section, and you can visit the AllTrails trail listing for more details and pictures. If you want to know more about the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, check out its page on the NY DEC website. This is the kind of hike AllTrails + was made for - the point-by-point directions are incredibly useful in a remote, fast-paced hike like this. And if you're looking for a memorable stay in the area, this Victorian-style B&B is about an hour away in the Lake George area.

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