Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
NY Finger Lakes Bike Tour
Trip Overview
Our tour of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York takes you along the two largest of the lovely Finger Lakes, Cayuga and Seneca — and one of the most scenic, Keuka. You start and finish in the beautiful and vibrant college town of Ithaca, known for its river gorges. And you explore several of the area’s iconic small towns, including Hammondsport, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls and Ovid. Listen for the osprey and kingfisher birds calling as you enjoy the combination of stunning lake views and classic farm country.
Each day offers a range of riding from about 25 to 50 miles, allowing you to skip sections if you want — including some of the more challenging hills. Most people choose gravel bikes or hybrid bikes for this tour, but e-bikes are another great way to enjoy this glacier-carved lake country, where much of the climbing is to traverse the ridges between the lake valleys. You are treated to views of several of the famous local waterfalls and have the opportunity to visit outstanding wineries, breweries and ice cream makers. You also visit historic Seneca Falls, where the U.S. women’s suffrage movement was focused at a convention in 1848 … an important step leading to voting rights for women 100 years ago.
Our Finger Lakes tour includes two nights at Glenora Winery, enjoying lake-view rooms from the inn, an on-site restaurant and two tastings. The routes also enable you to ride the entire tour without using the van if you choose.
Surfaces for this tour: 96% Paved and 4% Gravel.
See a list of our all of our New York State tours.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Meet in Ithaca at La Tourelle Hotel and Spa between 8 and 9 a.m., where you can leave your car. 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 at the Gould Hotel, a refurbished boutique property, nestled in the middle of town. Dinner is with the group.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners (on your own for 1 dinner in Seneca Falls), 2 wine tastings. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. 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 $750 holds your reservation for most tours. For tours less than 6 days, the deposit is $500.
What’s Included
5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners (on your own for 1 dinner in Seneca Falls), 2 wine tastings. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Guests say …
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Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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