6-Day Finger Lakes Scenic Bike Tour

Meet your leaders with your luggage for an introduction and safety meeting. After a bicycle fitting, shuttle north along Cayuga Lake to your start in the town of King Ferry. Cycle through farm country and then along the lake, passing beautiful Wells College in the small town of Aurora. After lunch alongside a canal, cycle around the top of the lake, with time to stop at the Cayuga Lake State Park beach. Leaving the lakeside, head inland to the historic town of Seneca Falls. Your lodging for the next two nights is at41 Lakefront, an Italian Renaissance-style Villa Resort with English-style gardens, nestled on the shores of Seneca Lake. Dinner is with the group.
Accommodation: 41 Lakefront, Geneva
Meals: Dinner

Biking: 33.5 miles (53.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,000 feet (305 meters) ascent, 1,389 feet (423 meters) descent
Terrain: Easier

Today’s ride starts after a hearty country breakfast. You ride west and south through rolling Amish farmland on your way to the shore of Seneca Lake where you enjoy views of the water from a quiet, tree-lined bike path. Cycling past more farms and woodlands, you arrive in the small but historic town of Ovid, famous for its Greek Revival style public buildings. Continuing on, you crest the land between the two largest of the Finger Lakes and begin a fabulous descent toward the western shore of Cayuga Lake. If Ovid was too early for lunch, there are multiple options along the lakeside as you continue on to some of the best wine country in the Finger Lakes. Stop in for a tasting at one of the local wineries well known for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Malbecs. You can shuttle the 15 miles from here back to the hotel or opt to do the full ride back. In Seneca Falls, walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth Cady Stanton when you visit the site of the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848. Dinner is on your own.
Accommodation: 41 Lakefront, Seneca Falls
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 64.5 miles (103.8 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,406 feet (733 meters) ascent, 2,400 feet (731 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

After breakfast, depart Seneca Falls to start your ride in the bustling college town of Geneva on the northern shores of Seneca Lake. Following quiet farm roads, the cycle route crosses over to the edge of Keuka Lake and the town of Penn Yan. One option for lunch and ice cream in Penn Yan is the iconic Seneca Farms stand. After lunch, you wind your way along the ridge above Seneca Lake, watching for the buggies of the local Amish and passing beautiful farms. You roll into Glenora Winery in time to clean up and meet for dinner with the group.
Accommodation: Inn at Glenora Winery, Dundee
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 36 miles (57.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,680 feet (512 meters) ascent, 1,318 feet (402 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

To maximize your lakeside vistas, hop in the van 30 minutes to the start along the shore of Keuka Lake. Today’s ride provides lovely views as you cycle along the crest of the peninsula between Keuka Lake’s two branches. Lunch is at pristine Keuka Lake State Park which features sheltered picnic grounds and a large beach for swimming. Continuing on, cycle through the town of Branchport before climbing to the western ridge overlooking the lake. On the way toward Hammondsport, you stop at another local winery famous for its ice wines as well as for its dry and semi-dry Rieslings. After a gentle roll through the town of Hammondsport — home to some tasty local ice cream — you transport back to the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. Dinner is with the group in Watkins Glen.
Accommodation: Inn at Glenora Winery, Dundee
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 32.6 miles (52.5 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,078 feet (633 meters) ascent, 2,165 feet (660 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

Shuttle 15 minutes to the start where you cycle high along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Pass many wineries along this picturesque route before arriving in Trumansburg for lunch. Afterward, cycle to the highest waterfall in the area — Taughannock Falls. From there, a slightly downhill bike trail runs for 8 miles into Ithaca for a very relaxing end of day’s ride. Our final dinner is with the group in the town of Ithaca.
Accommodation: La Tourelle Inn, Ithaca
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 34.8 miles (56 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,386 feet (422 meters) ascent, 1,847 feet (563 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate

After breakfast, you enjoy a cycle route through the center of the Cornell campus, stopping to enjoy views of Fall Creek from the suspension bridge near Rocky Falls in the center of the campus. Complete your ride with a scenic roll through the arboretum, wildflower and botanic gardens. Return to the hotel for a quick shower if desired (we have requested a late checkout of noon) and then say farewell.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 11.1 miles (17.9 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 745 feet (227 meters) ascent, 849 feet (259 meters) descent
Terrain: Intermediate