Watkins Glen: Trail Report

Watkins Glen:  classic view of falling water, bridge and pools

Watkins Glen is both a town in the Finger Lakes region of New York as well as a state park.  Among photographers it is most famous for the view pictured above:  the bridge, stone stairs clinging to a cliff while water is falling all around is surreal.  To me it felt like I had entered Rivendell from Lord of the Rings.  During my trip to New York, I went to this location twice.  I went in the afternoon with my family.  During that trip, several hikers were always to be seen in front of and behind us.  I wouldn't call it crowded but it was not empty.

That same day, early in the morning I came here alone at the time of sunrise and saw two people total during my entire hike from the top of the gorge to the bottom and then back up.  I really had the whole place to myself and was delighted to discover waterfall after waterfall all the while walking on a perfectly maintained stone path that was created to blend in with the natural surroundings.

Approach to Cavern Cascade from the bottom of the gorge

Looking down a waterfall

Enchanted Trail:  Watkins Glen

Elven Fishing Hole:  my favorite shot from
Watkins Glen

Gordon's hike rating:
Hike Difficulty:                   ★★★ Moderate
Trail Condition:                   ★★★ Fair
Trail Hazards:                      ★★★ Moderate:  stone path, irregular surface, steep stairs
Trailhead:                             State Park parking lot on the North side of the Gorge, off the 409
Time Required:                    2 - 3 hours
Distance round trip:             2 miles but a shuttle can make this a 1-mile trip instead
Off the Beaten Path:             ★ No, 1 Stars
Scenery:                                ★★★★ Awesome, 4 Stars
Photographic Potential:        ★★★★ Sweet, 4 Stars