CNY Hiking HOME PAGE | Finger Lakes National Forest | Burnt Hill Trail | Interloken Trail |
Finger Lakes National Forest Burnt Hill Loop
|
Here's a loop hike that has it all: views, forest and even cows. Yes we did say cows... This 3.8 mile easy loop will take you through two cow pastures located within Finger Lakes National Forest. Be sure that you securely close the gates behind you! When we did this loop over a Labor Day weekend, we did have a herd of cattle come toward us to see what we were up to (see the video below) on the trail.
This is a great loop hike and is great for all members of the family since there is only a 174 foot elevation gain/loss along the whole hike. The toughest thing about this hike is that its 3.8 miles long. It will take most people about two hours to complete this hike. There are signs at most trail junctions and road crossings.
This hike begins at the Blueberry Patch Campground parking area which is right next to a small day use picnic area with tables and grills. So bring a picnic for after the hike! This is one of those "must do" hikes, especially between May-October when the cows are out in the pastures.
Look below for a video, map and a description of this hike with mileage/elevation.
Directions: NY 414 to Hector, NY. Turn onto County Route 2. At the County Route 4 JCT, go straight ahead and now the road is Picnic Area Road. Pass the Red House Inn and Burnt Hill Road. Up the hill and on your right will be Blueberry Patch Campground (sign on your left). The large parking area is as soon as you pull in. The GPS coordinates are N42 29.065 W76 47.893 for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle.
Mile Elevation Burnt Hill Loop Description 0.0 1801 ft From the Blueberry Patch Campground & Day Use Picnic Area parking area, head back to Picnic Area Road and turn right following the dirt road (watch for cars going fast through this section of road).
0.15 1796 ft The Interloken Trail heads into the forest on your left. Continue on dirt road and shortly see sign for Burnt Hill Trail on your right. Turn right off road and follow Burnt Hill Trail. Look to your left for a vista. The trail soon follows next to a fence (more views).
0.5 1780 ft The trail veers right, still following fence.
0.6 1798 ft The trail veers left still following along the fence.
0.7 1787 ft The trail leaves fence line and enters forest.
0.8 1792 ft Trail turns left at sign.
1.0 1789 ft Enter pasture through gate (close gate securely behind you). Watch out for cows.... Ascend.
1.2 1835 ft Highest point on this loop. Radio Tower on your right. Soon enter woods.
1.35 1817 ft Go through gate (close gate securely behind you!) then cross dirt Mathews Road.
1.6 1782 ft Trail veers right.
1.7 1813 ft Trail veers left.
2.0 1800 ft Trail veers right.
2.1 1789 ft Junction with the orange blazed Interloken Trail. Turn right and follow orange blazes.
2.6 1825 ft Cross dirt Mathews Road and enter pasture through gate (close gate securely behind you!). Views to your left. Pass by apple tree and more views.
2.9 1777 ft Enter forest through gate (close gate securely behind you!).
3.45 1778 ft Junction of the Ravine Trail on your left. Continue straight on the Interloken Trail.
3.65 1785 ft Soon the trail veers left (sign) as an unnamed campground trail goes right (almost straight). This can be a muddy section of trail.
3.75 1797 ft Reach dirt Picnic Area Road. Turn right and follow the road.
3.83 1801 ft Reach the Blueberry Patch Campground and Day Use Picnic Area parking area on your right. The end of this loop hike.
CNY
Hiking HOME PAGE
Finger Lakes National Forest
Burnt Hill Trail
Interloken Trail