Find the top rated birding trails in Cortland, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This section is very fragmented. You have to walk on the road for long distances. It’s really too bad because there is so much canal history in this stretch I would love to be able to walk it.
What a great way to get off the road and get on some crushed limestone. Watch that hole in the middle of the trail somewhere around half way.
If it is hot, take a dip in the canal, mmmmmmm... swamp!
I am always leery of trails that don’t show ‘biking’ as an activity, just ‘mountain biking’. I have a trail near me that I detest that is maintained by atv people. It has rocks and mud puddles. So I read the few reviews about the trail and was skeptical, because no one said much about biking. But the photos made me hopeful.
The reviews made me realize what I saw as I passed a parking area and obvious trail crossing on Spring House Road just outside Dryden. This was the western/northern part of the trail that is not shown on Traillink, or even on Google bike map. To my east was a river of grass without any indication of roadbed, other than the tunnel of vegetation on both sides. To my west, it looked to be reasonable trek, with 2 visible wheel paths. I started to the west. You can travel the few miles to Freeville along this path.
This is like the unloved stepchild portion of the trail. The grass is mown. The tree limbs are cleared. There are even benches. But you keep asking yourself, ‘why couldn’t they just put down some stone here and make this a reasonable trail?’ The western/northern end alternates between grass, roadbed and the occasional muddy spot. I own a hybrid bike and still found this trail reasonable, but only because I started out early in the day, with the most energy. Slogging through grass saps your strength pretty rapidly.
Heading back to Spring House Road, I asked myself if I could tolerate the grass that lay to the east. I figured I had it in me, and that it would be no more than a mile to connect up to the mapped portion of this trail. That river of grass is probably a half mile (grass always seems longer!) till you indeed link up with the mapped portion. Initially, the trail is wide and obvious, but as you enter Dryden, you suddenly feel like you are in someone’s side yard. On my return trip, I noted that, if approaching from the south, you would have no idea this northern portion exists because of that side yard you find yourself in.
Nonetheless, I kept going …to find MORE grass along the mapped portion, for the first quarter mile. THEN it got decent.
The southern 3.75 miles of this trail are idyllic. The trail bed itself is reasonable for any bike and the scenery is varied and enjoyable. Numerous beaver dams are within feet of the trail. You’ve got lakes and streams and fields and forests. It has to be some of the most enjoyment I have had per mile.
So, highly recommended southern end…and a reminder that there is a western/northern end, if you are up for a challenge.
The name “Black Diamond” comes from the old railroad on which this trail resides. It is an amazing engineering feat how this trail provides a steady (easy) grade all the way up to the top of Taughannock Falls from lake level. The surface is crushed stone and the entire length is well maintained. It is a real delight (even on a hot day) due to the shade provided by the hillside trees. The trail goes North along the East side of the hill. There are several (8?) road crossings along the way that are well marked, although there is little road traffic.
About 5 miles of newly paved trail has been open east of Amsterdam to Pattersonville. It is a really nice ride along the river.
After the August storms, the middle 4-mile section is closed. You can work around it on 14 and jump back on, but better to call and check first. The first and last sections were great and I hope to be back when the trail reopens.
Fantastic bike ride. The bridge is out near the end at Penn Yan, but you can work around it on the streets and jump back on the trail on the other side. Great recommendation.
Trail is CLOSED! About 1/2 mile from Pen Yan the trail is washed out and closed. I tried to find a way around the closed part without success.
The trail itself is great, especially the middle section from miles 3-5. There one can experience some of the wildness our country once had. Tall dead trees brought to life by ivy. Roads and 'civilization' not noticeable.
Signage not good, many intersections of 'Black Diamond' and 'Stop'. Mile markers every 1/4 mile are handy.
Main issue: finding the trail. The southern Cass end is somewhat obscure, but the northern Taughannock falls end is even worse. Need a detailed map to locate it.
The Black Diamond trail should be continued northward. It would run through a T'burg farmer's land (Black Diamond Farm), and could be extended all the way to Rochester?
Thanks to the new Lakefront Park in Geneva you can get a longer ride. We rode from the parking lot next to the Ramada through Seneca State Park and picked up the trail there. A wooden bridge was built under 96A from the park. The only issue is that it is not marked and difficult to find. I asked a local while walking in the park and they were kind enough to help me out. If you follow the park road towards the marina there is a maintenance gate with a small sign that says Maintenance Lane. Bike through the gate and stay to the right. This will lead you to the path under 96A. I agree with the previous reviewer. Nice trail!
Beautiful trail, pet friendly! Plenty of places for dogs (and people) to get in the water to cool off!
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