Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Finger Lakes Getaway Bike Tour
Trip Overview
New York's Finger Lakes region is home to vast and beautiful lakes dug by Ice Age glaciers. It’s filled with history, as it was one of the earliest settled farming areas in the U.S. with long Native American roots. Today, there are wineries, apple orchards and fields interspersed with small villages and colleges. It’s one of our favorite places to cycle, with delights that include fresh-made ice cream, local breweries, waterfalls and deep gorges.
On the Finger Lakes Getaway tour, you spend 3 nights in Watkins Glen at the southern end of Seneca Lake … at an award-winning hotel that offers top-notch service. This is a great spot from which to reach places like Taughannock Falls — the highest free-drop waterfall east of the Mississippi — and Ovid, a quaint town in the midst of Amish farms. You have a chance to hike along the Keuka Lake outlet past three sets of falls and bike along the ridgelines above the smallest and largest of the Finger Lakes. You are also treated to kayaking on Keuka Lake and a hike through the gorge in Watkins Glen State Park.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Join the group at the inn in Watkins Glen at 1 p.m. for a bike fitting and orientation. Ride right from the hotel along the valley, passing by two waterfalls. Today’s ride is mostly on an unpaved bike trail, allowing a casual introduction to riding the Finger Lakes. After the ride, you can check into the hotel and enjoy the hotel amenities on the Seneca Lake waterfront. Tonight’s dinner is together at a local restaurant.
Today’s ride features ridgetop Amish farms and villages, a visit to the highest free-drop waterfall east of the Mississippi, and a downhill trail into Ithaca — home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. You can choose the longer route and start riding from the hotel, or take a van ride to Ovid, stopping at some overlooks above Seneca Lake and Hector Falls. Everyone regroups in Ovid for lunch, where you can sit in the gazebo and watch a variety of Amish buggies roll by. The ride after lunch features long-range ridge top views, then back roads into Taughannock Falls State Park. There is an option to hike down to the falls, then continue biking into Ithaca. Dinner is on your own in Watkins Glen tonight.
Today features a ride and kayak on one of the most scenic of the Finger Lakes — Keuka Lake. You start with a shuttle to Penn Yan, located on the northern end of the Y-shaped Keuka Lake. Avid cyclists ride down the ridge bisecting the two forks of the lake, then around the other lobe of the lake and through wine country to the southern end of the lake in Hammondsport. Otherwise, you can stay in the van for the first section and ride along the ridge to the west of the lake and into town. Following lunch near the town green, you switch to an afternoon of water activities (weather permitting) kayaking from the beach right in Hammondsport. After kayaking, shuttle back to Watkins Glen and enjoy views on Seneca Lake. Tonight’s dinner celebration is at a nearby Italian restaurant.
After breakfast, you walk into Watkins Glen State Park right from the hotel. The hike on the Gorge Trail is about 3 miles and offers amazing waterfall views. After taking in the scenery, return to the hotel for a shower and checkout by 11 a.m. Then say farewells as you depart for home.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
3 nights’ lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners. A wine tasting, kayaking, (weather permitting). We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus the use of a bike and helmet. Up to 8 e-bikes included at no extra charge. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
3 nights’ lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners. A wine tasting, kayaking, (weather permitting). We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus the use of a bike and helmet. Up to 8 e-bikes included at no extra charge. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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