4-Day New York Finger Lakes Getaway Bike Tour

Please meet us at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel at 1pm 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.
Accommodation: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Meals: Dinner

Biking: 18 miles (29 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

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.
Accommodation: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 30 or 42 miles (48 or 67 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

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.
Accommodation: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 14 or 33 miles (22 or 53 kilometres)
Terrain: Intermediate 

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.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast

Hiking: 3 miles (4.8 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier