There’s no refuting that hiking trails in New York are abundant, awe-inspiring, and filled with all kinds of hidden natural treasures like waterfalls, ice caves, and rolling hills. However, if you’re a hiking enthusiast looking to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City, you should definitely explore the following top 5 Buffalo hiking trails. There’s something for everyone in Western New York, from hour-long walks to day trips and advanced hiking excursions.
Niagara Gorge
A round-trip hike of the Niagara Gorge, including staircases and rim trail, is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long. So, within 40 minutes to an hour, you can cover some of the region’s best hiking and biking trails, starting from the Gorge’s Trailhead Center. In case you’re staying in a residential apartment within Downtown Buffalo, Niagara Gorge’s Devil’s Hole Rapid is a must-visit.
Set aside a few hours to sightsee the giant rock cave and rapids on a whole-day hiking trip. As you trek up the Devil’s Hole trail, you encounter platform rocks that make for an excellent spot for a picnic lunch with incredible views. Also within Niagara Gorge is the Whirlpool Rapid State Park, one of Niagara Falls State Park’s most challenging trails. It’s, therefore, recommended for experienced hikers who can handle a 3-hour round trip of boulder hopping.
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area
The best hiking spot in Zoar Valley is the 2-mile-long Valentine Flats Trail. It’s one of the most scenic areas in Buffalo, known for deep gorges, steep cliffs, flowing waterfalls, and dense forests. The Valentine Flats Trail has an elevation of 242 feet and takes approximately 50 minutes to an hour to trek.
Eternal Flame hiking trail at Chestnut Ridge Park
People visit Chestnut Ridge for its winter activities, such as tobogganing shoots, skiing, and plenty of snowmobile activity on the park’s west end. Here, you find the Eternal Flame hiking trail, about 1.5 miles south of the park’s entrance (down route 277). Sheltered in a cave under an enthralling waterfall, the Eternal Flame is a unique geologic feature that rewards you for the hard work it takes to complete the relatively challenging trail.
Akron Falls State Park
It takes approximately 35 minutes to get to Akron Falls State Park from your Downtown Ellicott hotel. Akron Falls are some of the most majestic in western New York and arguably the easiest to hike. It’s an ideal place to bring your family as it has unique parks, lots of trails, and enchanting gardens for exploring, including picnic areas, complete with grills, tables, playgrounds, sports facilities, and shelters.
Letchworth State Park
Located on the Western side of the New York Finger Lakes region is the Letchworth State Park, which follows the Genesee River for 17 winding miles into Wyoming and Livingston districts. Letchworth State Park has six main entrances. Unless you’re camping in the area, it’s best to hike in the west entrances as that’s where all the exceptional scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and the historic Glen Iris Inn are located.
A visit to Letchworth State Park wouldn’t be complete without a hike through George trail, Highbanks, and the more than 20-mile Letchworth Trail east of the park.
Let Ellicott Development Find You A Place to Call Home in Buffalo, NY
The affordable cost of living, welcoming locals, gorgeous scenery, and stunning architecture make Buffalo a wonderful place to visit. If it’s your first time in western NY, exploring hiking trails in Buffalo is a great way to meet new people and potential business partnerships. Buffalo is also home to some of the most well-maintained properties in the Niagara region.
Choosing an Ellicott Development property ensures you have the perfect place to call home, be it a single-family home, mix-use property, or high-end apartment. We have a team of professionals who work round the clock to ascertain our properties exceed tenants’ expectations. Contact us today to confirm apartment availability for a comfortable and secure stay in Buffalo.
