Ithaca New York - Spellbinding Waterfalls

By Sue Freeman

"Ithaca is Gorges" is the slogan for this quaint upstate New York city that sits at the base of a finger lake called Cayuga Lake, in a valley scoured eons ago by glaciers. It's surrounded by gorgeous gorges that are loaded with over 30 waterfalls.

The City of Ithaca (named for the Greek island of Ithaca) sits on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, in Central New York State. It is best known for being home to Cornell University — an Ivy League school with almost 20,000 students.

Best places to stay in Ithaca, NY

Stay at the Coddington Guest House built in 1850 as a train station and, home to a large Italian clan throughout the 20th century.

Perched 400 feet high on South Hill there's breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake, Cornell University and the city of Ithaca from every window.

You're within walking distance of a plethora of restaurants ranging from college dives to the famous Moosewood Restaurant, with its healthful natural foods cuisine.

The waterfalls cluster in and around Ithaca - at most, a 15 minute ride away.

Hike 1.5 miles round trip, between downtown Ithaca and Cornell University, up stone steps through Cascadilla Gorge, passing a succession of nine waterfalls where the water of Cascadilla Creek carved a trench through shale and sandstone. Watch for ripple marks in the sandstone, evidence that is area was long ago a shallow sea.

A short drive (8 miles from downtown) takes you to Taughannock Falls State Park where you can stroll less than a mile to the thundering 215-foot plummet of Taughannock Falls as it free-falls from a limestone caprock.

For serenity, follow the trail less traveled for a 5-mile round-trip forest hike along Six-mile Creek to pass 35-feet high Wells Falls, then two dams that create waterfalls, before reaching 25-foot high Potter's Falls tucked in a wooded glen at the end of the trail, and only accessible via a hike.

In the autumn, the forest of sugar maples, oaks and horsechestnuts is ablaze in brilliant reds, yellows and greens.

Ithaca is commonly referred to as the "Forest City." You'll understand why as you hike this trail that starts in the heart of downtown.

A two-mile drive from Ithaca, brings you to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Here, 180-foot high Buttermilk Falls is dammed at the base to create a natural swimming pool, Take a heart-pounding 1.6-mile loop hike outbound up the gorge, often at water level, and return on the rim trail, through a deciduous forest high above the gorge. Watch for potholes where the water drilled circular holes into the rock, where no waterfalls exist today. This is evidence that the falls are migrating uphill - a natural part of the erosion process.

So, 14 waterfalls down - you've got a ways to go to find all 30. The guidebook, 200 Waterfalls in Central & Western New York - A Finders' Guide, makes it easy to find each uniquely spellbinding waterfall.

According to author, Sue Freeman, "These waterfalls are tucked away up ravines created by the awesome force of water. Finding them is like going on a treasure hunt. Round a bend and 'pow,' a whole new creation pops into view. Each is a work of art that spurs you on to find the next. It's a natural adrenalin rush!