Hiking in Madison County North Country Trail Link Trail Cazenovia
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This 6.4 mile section of the Link Trail features the sounds of Chittenango Creek, Cazenovia Gorge, the old Cazenovia Railroad Depot, the old Lehigh Valley Railroad bed and a walk through the village of Cazenovia. You'll find many charming shops in the heart of the village of Cazenovia. Due to the proximity of the village of Cazenovia, this section of the Link Trail is very popular.
This whole section of the trail coincides with the North Country National Scenic Trail. This section of trail begins off Freber Road along the old Lehigh Valley Railroad and heads south. There is a small parking area located just east of where the trail starts. The GPS coordinates of the parking area is N42 59.860 W75 49.694. At 0.55 miles the trail crosses a farm lane. There is a nice view a few feet off the trail on the right. At 0.85 miles there is a nice view about 15 feet off the trail on the right and then the trail crosses over a huge ravine. This was quite an engineering project for the makers of this railroad back in the 1870s.
At 1.3 miles the trail travels down a staircase into a ravine to cross a stream before climbing back up onto the old railroad bed. At 1.4 miles the trail crosses Carrys Hill Road. As you cross the road there are views to your right. If you were to follow this road to your right is Chittenango Falls State Park. There are plans to build a trail that will link the state park with the Link Trail. There is a small parking area at this road crossing. The GPS coordinates of the parking area is N42 58.792 W75 50.047.
The trail soon crosses Emhoff Road and runs parallel to the road before descending and crossing Bingley Road at 2.7 miles. The trail climbs up stairs to reach the old railroad bed again. Soon the trail runs parallel to Chittenango Creek on your right. The trail follows the creek all the way into the village of Cazenovia. This area is called Cazenovia Gorge. You'll hear the sounds of the creek for much of the way as you make your way into the village.
At 5.0 miles the trail reaches and crosses Clark Street. There is a kiosk here as well as a small parking area. The GPS coordinates of the parking area is N42 56.173 W75 50.764. The trail crosses the creek just south of Clark Street on an old railroad bridge. The trail passes the old Cazenovia Railroad Depot near Williams Street before reaching the parking lot of a hardware store. The trail now turns right and follows US 20 West into downtown Cazenovia.
The trail turns left at the street light on Chenango Street at 5.7 miles. Follow the road south and reach a small parking area with a kiosk and trail register on the left at 6.3 miles, which is the end of this section. The GPS coordinates for the parking area is N42 55.288 W75 50.948.
The Linklaen House is on your right on US 20. There is shopping along the main road and a drug store further down US 20. By following US 20 East there is a small motel, McDonalds, a Tops Grocery store and a Rite Aid drug store. There is also a Laundromat.
Bridge over Chittenango Creek
View of Chittenango Creek from trail
Guide to Hiking the Link Trail
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Guide to the 40+ mile Link Trail with description, pictures and maps of the trail. The guide comes to you as a pdf file, meaning you print just the pages you need, when you need it. Use the buy now button below and we'll email you the file usually within 24 hours.
Mile Elevation Trail Description (North to South) 0.0 1175 feet Trail turns left off Freber Road. (Parking) The trail begins again along old railroad bed.
0.55 1114 feet Cross farm lane. Nice view a few feet on the right on farm lane.
0.85 1097 feet A nice view about 15 feet on right along side trail. Crossing huge ravine.
1.3 1073 feet Descend stairs to cross ravine then ascend back to old railroad bed.
1.4 1079 feet Cross Carry Hill Road. (Parking)
2.3 1054 feet Cross Emhoff Rd. (Parking)
2.7 1037 feet Cross Bingley Rd, ascend up stairs. (Parking)
5.0 1172 feet Cross Clark Street. (Parking) Now in village of Cazenovia.
5.3 1181 feet Cross Williams Street. (parking)
5.5 1191 feet Pass by hardware store. Reach US 20 and turn right following US 20.
5.7 1222 feet Turn left on Chenango Street at light.
6.4 1219 feet Reach the parking area off Chenango Street on the left. Kiosk & Trail register.