The Finger Lakes Overnighter

location New York, USA
We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Moreflag On Haudenosaunee, Seneca, & Susquehannock Land

  • Distance

    62 Mi.

    (100 KM)

  • Days

    2

  • % Unpaved

    65%

  • % Singletrack

    5%

  • % Rideable (time)

    100%

  • Total Ascent

    4,022'

    (1,226 M)

  • High Point

    1,847'

    (563 M)

  • Difficulty (1-10)

    2?

  • 4
    Climbing Scale Fair65 FT/MI (12 M/KM)
  • -
    Technical Difficulty
  • -
    Physical Demand
  • -
    Resupply & Logistics
About Our Ratings

Contributed By

Miles Arbour - Associate Editor & Events Manager

Miles Arbour

Associate Editor & Events Manager
The Finger Lakes Overnighter is an approachable multi-surface loop that starts and ends in the small village of Watkins Glen, New York. The route follows a mix of country roads, gravel, and a few lesser known trails within the Finger Lakes National Forest. It explores the beautiful countryside and includes several waterfalls along the way. This 62-mile route is a great warm up ride, perfect for families or those with limited bikepacking experience...
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The Finger Lakes region of central New York state is known for its wineries and waterfalls. It’s often referred to as a four-season playground, attracting tourists and vacationers from all over. The Finger Lakes Overnighter aims to take full advantage of what the area has to offer, all packed into a logistically straightforward loop through the counties of Chemung, Schuyler, and Seneca, with a focus on exploring Finger Lakes National Forest.

The loop starts and finishes in the village of Watkins Glen, home to the popular Watkins Glen Gorge, and more importantly, Tobey’s Donut Shop. A short ride south on the Catherine Valley Rail Trail leads to Montour Falls, where you’ll find the first of three waterfalls along the route. After a few more miles of rail trail, riders are greeted with the only major climb of the route up to Terry Hill, before a leisurely descent into the small town of Odessa for a quick bite to eat or to pick up supplies for the night. The route skirts along Texas Hollow State Forest before entering Finger Lakes National Forest to form the northernmost section of the route.

This loop primarily follows gravel roads, but mixes in some paved sections, trail, and service roads for good measure. The entire route is rideable on almost any functional bike, but is best suited to gravel bikes and hardtail mountain bikes. If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, the northern tip of the route can easily be trimmed down on the go with little fuss.

Route Development: The Finger Lakes Overnighter is directly inspired by Jim DeWitt, who plotted out and rode the route with a group during the summer of 2019. I stumbled upon his blog post outlining the route while researching potential riding in the area.

Local OvernighterThis route is part of the Local Overnighter Project, which was created to expand our growing list of worldwide bikepacking routes—the first and largest of its kind—and create an independent map and catalog of great bikepacking overnighters, curated by you, from your own backyard. Our goal is to have accessible routes from every town and city in the world. Learn MoreBikepacking Overnighters
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  • Highlights

    camera

  • Must Know

    alert

  • Camping

    home

  • Food/H2O

    drop

  • Resources

    link

  • Approachable back road riding, perfect for beginners.
  • Logistically simple. Easy to navigate, camp, and explore.
  • Several waterfalls on or near the route. Great way to take a break from riding.
  • The Finger Lakes region is diverse and incredibly beautiful.
  • Catherine Valley Rail Trail makes for a great first morning.
  • Ideal Bike: a gravel bike with some knobs on the tires would be perfect, although realistically the route could be ridden comfortably on whatever bike you have.
  • When to go: spring and fall are the best times to ride in the Finger Lakes region. Cooler nights will also help keep the bugs at bay.
  • Parking: We opted to park at the overflow parking area in Watkins Glen State Park, just up Walnut Rd., at the Park Office. Speak to the park attendants and pay a small fee.
  • There is some wild camping in Texas Hollow State Forest. Check out the map above.
  • The better camping option is either at Blueberry Patch Campground or the dispersed camping further up the road.
  • Both options are first-come-first-served. No planning required!
  • Resupply at Mini Mart in Odessa, the only real stop on route.
  • Various ponds and streams in the National Forest, bring a filter or stove to boil.
  • Watkins Glen has grocery stores and restaurants for before and after the ride. Check out Rooster Fish Brewing and Tobey’s Donut Shop.

Trail Notes

Although the terrain is non-technical, there are two substantial climbs on the route that you’ll likely reach on the first day of riding. A longer first day is the best case scenario, taking time to stop to check out waterfalls, fuel up in Odessa, and get into the National Forest for the evening. Depending on how everyone is feeling, the northern loop can be trimmed down by crossing west on Searsburg Rd. or S Seneca Rd. to rejoin the route on Warner Corners Rd.

There are many hiking trails within Finger Lakes National Forest that are restricted to bikes, so stay on designated roads and paths. Bikes are permitted on the Interloken Trail between Seneca and Parmenter Roads, which the route follows. The small section along the No-Tan-Takto Trail crosses through pastures and can be muddy and rough. Some may walk this section.

Deckertown and Eagle Cliffs Falls are just off route, outside of the town of Montrose Falls. After Shequaga Falls, head East through town to Clawson Blvd, then take S Lhommeedieu St. to the other two falls. Rejoin the rail trail at S Genesee St.

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forest (USDA)

Finger Lakes National Forest Map (USDA)

Finger Lakes Dispersed Camping (USDA)

Blueberry Patch Campground

Texas Hollow State Park

Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route.

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New York

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