If this loop hike looks familiar, then you've probably have seen it in one of the many hiking guide books for New York.  It is a very popular hike in Central New York, however you can still do this hike and in most cases not see one person. This loop features 2.9 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail as well as 2.1 miles of dirt roads to create a five mile loop within Bucks Brook State Forest.  The section along Bucks Brook Road follows the gorge of Bucks Brook.  While you cross a very small Bucks Brook on a rickety footbridge along the FLT.

Directions:  From Deruyter take County Route 58, which becomes County Route 16 as you enter Chenango County.  Turn right on Ridge Road and park at the Finger Lakes Trail crossing on the left in about 1.8 miles. The GPS coordinates are N42 42.395 W75 47.158 for those who have a GPS devise.

While in the area check out Alice's Dowry Bed & Breakfast in Cincinnatus.  It's conveniently located for those looking to hike the area.

 

Mile	Elevation	Hike Description
0.0	1721 feet	Starting at FLT trailhead on Ridge Road, enter woods heading EAST.  Follow white blazes.
0.1	1694 feet	Cross Bucks Brook on footbridge
0.4	1817 feet	Old Logging Road.  Turn right, then quick left following white blazes.
0.8	1829 feet	Highest point during this loop.
1.0	1702 feet	Old ruins on left, then trail turns right just before reaching stream.
1.1	1682 feet	Cross old jeep trail and pass through old stone walls.
2.5	1653 feet	Begin steep descent toward Bucks Brook Road.
2.9	1362 feet	Reach Bucks Brook Road and turn right, following dirt road.
4.6	1648 feet	Cross Bucks Brook on bridge.
4.7	1711 feet	Reach Ridge Road and turn right following dirt road.
4.9	1724 feet	Finger Lakes Trail on left (heading west toward Ratville Rd).  Continue straight on road.
5.0	1721 feet	Reach starting point of this loop hike and your vehicle.