Interested in cycling in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State?
You’ve certainly come to the right place because we have lived in Toronto for years, a short drive to the Finger Lakes, which I visit often, particularly staying in Hammondsport or Watkins Glen.
The Finger Lakes cycling region is one of my favorites, suitable for both a weekend getaway and a week-long bicycle tour. The Finger Lakes region is a collection of 11 lakes located in upper New York State, known for the many wineries which dot the landscape, and natural beauty, and is an excellent area for bicycle touring.
Use my helpful guide to plan your ride around any of the lakes. A favorite area of mine.
The book I use to assist with my planning is 25 Bike Rides in the Finger Lakes, which features many routes other than just around the lakes. A second book by the same author, titled Backroad Bicycling in the Finger Lakes Region, was printed in 2004.
While there are eleven Finger Lakes that you can ride around, there are many other routes that most people who bicycle tour ride, which go between the lakes or only include a short section. Each of these Finger Lakes has a personality of its own, and it is best to base yourself at one for a few days of daily bike touring before moving to the next.
Cycling Around the Finger Lakes
These are the main routes for riding around each of the lakes, each very different than the other.
1. Canandaigua Lake Cycling
Distance: 45.3 miles
Elevation gain: 2171 feet
Difficulty: moderate, with really one hill
Starting location: City pier adjacent to Kershaw Park in Canandaigua
This is the northernmost of the Finger Lakes and is located near Rochester. Bicycle routes in this area offer fairly flat to rolling terrain with long, gradual hills. If this is your first time bike touring in the area, this is a good place to start, but most cyclists move on to some of the other Finger Lakes, which are far more scenic. There are easy connections to the Erie Canal Bike Trail, which is along the top of this region.
There is one fairly good hill early on this counterclockwise route and a small hill later on. Your lunch spot is sure to be in the town of Naples, about halfway along and on the north end of the lake. You are starting in Canandaigua, which offers restaurants and a bike shop.
2. Keuka Lake Cycling
Distance: 44.9 miles
Elevation gain: 1569 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting location: In Hammondsport, either Depot Park or the main town square
My favorite area for bicycle riding is this, with a great ride around the entire lake. Base yourself in or near Hammondsport, a delightfully quaint town with shops, ice cream stores, restaurants, and a bed and breakfast surrounding a small park with a band shell located in the town center.
It’s then a quick clockwise cycle along Highway 54A around Keuka Lake, one of the most picturesque. This gently hilly road has been described by many as one of the most scenic in all of the United States. Don’t worry about traffic; it’s all on the other side of the lake heading to the town of Penn Yan.
Keuka Lake is shaped like a giant “Y,” and at Branchport (one of those small towns), head east along the top over rolling terrain and the lake in the distance, and into the town of Penn Yan (Pennsylvania Yankee) with lots of restaurants.
Then head south out of town along a road with more traffic and next to the lake, but there is a paved shoulder most of the way. Despite the traffic, it is an interesting road with several wineries.
I am not a fan of museums, but I did enjoy the Glen H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport with its early planes and cars.
3. Seneca Lake Cycling
Distance: 82.6 miles
Elevation gain: 3510 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting location: Seneca Harbor Park in Watkins Glen, or behind the Courthouse, or if starting at the north end, use Lakeshore Park in Geneva.
The Finger Lakes cycle in this area follows the longest lake in the region, Seneca. You can bicycle tour from Hammondsport to Watkins Glen, although it has some major hills. The terrain around Geneva at the north end of the lake is gently rolling.
Many cycling guides and websites recommend departing up the west side of the lake, but I disagree. I find the routes departing Watkins Glen involve a long climb, with the east shore of Seneca Lake having an easier grade.
On the eastern shores of Seneca Lake, you climb gradually past waterfalls and plenty of wineries, heading to the north end and Geneva, and stopping at Lakeshore Park for lunch. There are also numerous restaurants and several bike shops. On the return, I suggest avoiding busy Highway 14 and taking parallel roads into Watkins Glen.
You may wish to stop at the Glenora Winery, as you don’t have as far to ride if you do make a purchase. Also, they have an Inn if you require accommodation for this trip.
Watkins Glen State Park has excellent camping and also offers a terrific 2-mile walk up the Glen, carved ages ago into solid rock with stunning waterfalls. Worth the visit! The Watkins Glen campsite is at the top of a steep hill for a great start in the morning and a bit of a climb returning after a long day in the saddle.
4. Cayuga Lake Cycling
Distance: 97.9 miles
Elevation gain: 3261 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting location: Ithaca Seneca Street Garage
Ithaca is home to the famous Cornell University and the starting point of some wonderful bicycle touring between the neighboring lakes. The book 25 Bicycle Tours in the Finger Lakes offers a 115-mile, three-day route in this area, but you can do shorter routes as well.
There is also a connecting route from the Erie Canal bicycle trail through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge to historic Seneca Falls at the top end of the lake. The Women’s Rights National Historic Park is one of the sights located in Seneca Falls.
But the route around the lake itself from Ithaca College features some challenging hills with superb views, but there are many flat sections and even a nice downhill on the Black Diamond Rail Trail on this counterclockwise route. There is also mountain biking in Oakley Corners State Forest to the south.
From Ithaca, you can also try the more challenging Two Gorges Tour, which runs 28 miles between Taughannock Falls State Park and Robert H. Treman State Park.
5. Owasco Lake Cycling
Distance: 37 miles
Elevation gain: 1641 feet
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Starting location: Modern Market in Moravia or nearby Fillmore Glen State Park
A great one-day bicycle tour around this lake, stopping in Auburn with its many historic homes on the north end and the state park on the south end. In between, you will find quiet roads and some gradual hills, plus perhaps one of the best viewing points on any of the Finger Lakes cycling routes.
We started our ride from Fillmore Glen State Park, riding through Moravia and up the east side of the lake and returning along the west side.
6. Honeoye Lake Cycling
Distance: 18.1 miles
Elevation gain: 686 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting location: In Honeoye from the parking lot on Main Street
Cycling around Honeoye Lake is on an 18.1-mile route. It begins in the small town of Honeoye at Sandy Bottom Park, located at the northern end of this 4.5-mile-long narrow Finger Lake. This route features gently rolling terrain with all paved roads and just one modest hill at its southern end. With its 686 feet of climbing, this route is perfect for riders looking to take on a challenging yet manageable adventure.
Honeoye Lake, the second smallest of the Finger Lakes, can be seen throughout the ride. Expect to see plenty of cottages along the southern shore. Also near the south end is the Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park with picnic areas and numerous short hiking trails.
It is best to do this ride in a counterclockwise direction. Cyclists sometimes combine this ride with the Canadice and Hemlock Lake routes.
7. Conesus Lake Cycling
Distance: 19.6 miles
Elevation gain: 673 feet
Difficulty: suitable for all levels of cyclists
Starting location: West Swamp Road in Conesus, in the parking lot
The most western of the Finger Lakes, Conesus Lake, cycling is a great way to experience the beauty of western New York. This 19.6-mile loop offers a mix of flat and rolling terrain with 2 hills, 673 feet of climbing in total, and some nice views over Conesus Lake.
One of the clockwise routes takes you along the lake’s edge, the site of the Ring of Fire festival on the July 4th weekend. For lunch, stop in the town of Lakeview at the north end and about halfway.
8. Hemlock Lake Loop Cycling
Distance: 25.2-mile loop
Elevation gain: 1690 feet
Difficulty: lots of climbing, but a great downhill as well
Starting location: Hemlock Lake Park in Hemlock
The 25.2-mile clockwise loop around Hemlock Lake is one of the longest and steepest climbs in the area, with 1690 feet of climbing to challenge your endurance and skill. But it also offers some of the best downhill riding available in this part of New York State, so all that hard work pays off!
Along your journey, you will be treated to an untouched lake surrounded by rural countryside – no services are available on this route, but sometimes that’s just what makes a ride even more rewarding! For a longer ride, it is often combined with routes around adjoining Honeoye or Canadice Lakes.
9. Otisco Lake Cycling
Distance: 46.3 miles
Elevation gain: 1787 feet
Difficulty: challenging
Start: Homer Intermediate/Junior High School in Homer
Cycling around Otisco Lake, the easternmost Finger Lake and eighth in size. This 46.3-mile route starts well south with a long, gentle climb that provides views from the top of the hills before plunging into a descent that offers breathtaking views of the lake and its surrounding countryside.
Along the way, you’ll discover Willowdale Bend near Spatford, where the farmhouse at the front is a country store. You can grab a beer or wine and enjoy some homemade snacks, including Amish baked goods and salads.
Also, you will want to visit the many rescued animals, including some bison that came from a nearby zoo and some farms. Actually, the idea for this came when two cyclists stopped and requested some water, and Rick, the owner, decided to expand on things.
Near the town of Amber, near the north end of the lake, is Otisco Lake Park. A little different from the other Finger Lakes in that there is a causeway near the southern end, popular with people fishing and swimming. The ride ends with a 6-mile flat section, perfect for enjoying the scenery before you head back home.
10. Skaneateles Lake Cycling
Distance: 40.2 miles
Elevation gain: 2314 feet
Difficulty: Challenging
Starting location: Andrew R. Fuller Park in Scott
Skaneateles Lake is a popular route for experienced cyclists. At 40.2 miles long, the clockwise loop starts with a short flat section and then with a steep climb to get you going, but you are rewarded with a sweet downhill along the 16-mile lake into town.
Skaneateles is a perfect spot for your lunch, perhaps in the lakeside park.
11. Canadice Lake Cycling
Distance: 7.9 miles
Elevation gain: 243 feet
Difficulty: easy, but partially on a gravel/dirt trail, so it may be unsuitable for road bikes
Starting location: North end in Springwater, from Purcell Hill parking lot
A 7.9-mile short ride around Canadice Lake, the smallest of the Finger Lakes, starts with 4 miles of flat riding; however, with a gravel and dirt trail that may be difficult for road bicycles with skinny tires like mine. Expect only 243 feet of climbing on this counterclockwise loop. There are no services along the way, so come prepared.
This entire route is great for those who want the Finger Lakes experience without the challenge of high elevation and difficult trails, but it is over difficult terrain. Often combined with rides around neighboring lakes.
Other Finger Lakes Cycling
In my opinion, perhaps the most scenic and interesting rides are not around the lakes but along one shore or between them. There are numerous routes in the Finger Lakes region, but I wish to highlight a few others.
12. Keuka Lake Wine Trail Cycling
Start in Hammondsport and follow scenic Highway 54A over rolling terrain.
At Branchport, head up Italy Hill and maybe stop at Hunt Country Vineyards for some wine tastings (on your left) and halfway up to relax. At the top, turn left and continue along a ridge that parallels the lake for some great views. There are many excellent wineries to distract you along the way, such as Bully Hill, which is why many refer to this as the Keuka Wine Trail.
There is an incredible downhill into Hammondsport, although there is a stop sign at Hwy 54A preventing you from just rolling all the way.
A reader provided the following suggestions:
I wanted to suggest for the Keuka Loop that when you’re coming down the east side from Penn Yan, you should dip down to the lake roads as much as possible. There’s a length at the north end that you can only ride the highway on, but it’s a much more pleasant ride if you take the lake road segments whenever possible. Just look out for the 1 or 2 dead ends along the way to Hammondsport. Also, tagging the bluff loop onto the main Keuka loop can make for a nice, longer ride. I would argue that this inclusion makes it a true loop of the Y-shaped lake.
13. Bluff Point Cycling Route
The Bluff Point tour can be a 19-mile (27-mile if starting in Penn Yan) leisurely ride, which is an easy counterclockwise ride around the “V” at the top end of Keuka Lake. We started at Keuka College and headed along West Bluff Road with many cottages.
At this point, you can ride up and down the mountain or take the cottage road. Follow East Bluff Road back to Keuka College (or Penn Yan). Very scenic ride.
14. Keuka Lake Outlet Trail
The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail (Crooked Lake Canal) goes from Penn Yan to near Dresden on Seneca Lake, connecting the two following the former Fall Brook Railroad, built in 1884. This is an 8.5-mile multi-use trail for cyclists and hikers that runs along the western shore of Keuka Lake before entering vineyards and wooded areas.
Along the way, you’ll find many scenic views, an old mill, historic sites, and opportunities for bird-watching. The terrain is mostly flat with some hills in certain sections for an elevation drop of 400 feet.
There are plenty of other routes in the Keuka Lake area, making this Finger Lake a good base for 3 – 7 days.
15. Montour Falls Cycling Route
One of my favorite routes. Starting in Watkins Glen (we parked behind the Courthouse) and heading east through town streets before joining the Highway. At the junction, head on a slight climb along Hwy 414, passing numerous waterfalls and wineries.
Continue until you reach the town of Lodi. Then head straight south over gently rolling terrain with Finger Lakes National Forest on your left and a few farms on your right. Cross Highway 79 and continue south until you reach a steep downhill, taking you to Highway 224.
Do a right turn and ride a short distance to view the impressive Montour Falls, right on the main street. Then take Highway 14 back to Watkins Glen. It is busy,y but there is a paved shoulder most of the way.
16. Finger Lakes Rail Trails
Some cyclists find the hills in the area very challenging, but no worries, as there are some rail trails up to 25 miles long that are easy and scenic.
Other Resources
Booking.com – the largest accommodation platform with many properties in the area
Expedia – to locate hotels in the region
VRBO – I often rent vacation homes or cabins in the Hammondsport or Watkins Glen area during my visits
Finger Lakes Crafts and Drafts Pass – one-day pass visiting 3 locations or a three-day pass visiting 5 locations from the 11 listed. Tastings at each included.
25 Bike Rides in the Finger Lakes – a book with detailed mile-by-mile directions.
Discover Cars – for rental car rates to drive to the Finger Lakes region
FAQ: Finger Lakes Cycling
Can you bike on the Finger Lakes Trail?
No, it is a hiking trail, but there are plenty of routes you can bike on in the area.
Which Finger Lake is best to bike around?
Keuka Lake is one of the most scenic and is a good distance for a one-day ride.
Can you bike around Cayuga Lake?
Yes, starting in Ithaca, it is possible to ride a 98-mile circuit of the lake on a bike.
What is the prettiest lake in the Finger Lakes?
Keuka Lake offers pretty towns such as Hammondsport with a quaint town square, numerous wineries, a scenic shoreline, restaurants, and a terrific lake.
What is the best time to cycle the Finger Lakes?
The best time to visit the Finger Lakes is late September because it is at its most scenic with the fall colors in their full glory, but anytime between June and September is good.
Is May a good time to visit the Finger Lakes?
Springtime in May, before Memorial Day, usually offers great weather and great accommodation prices. However, in the past, I did encounter a light snowfall in mid-May.
Some additional Finger Lakes Cycling Tips
- The Backroad Bicycling in the Finger Lakes Region is an excellent guide with 30 routes, as most are not signed, and you do require maps. Your Finger Lakes Cycling will be along quiet country roads. This is the best-selling guide on this website for any destination.
- Accommodation options include camping, bed and breakfasts, vacation rental homes, cabins in some state parks, and hotels. If you have a group, consider staying at Keuka College from mid-June to mid-August.
- Wonderful sightseeing opportunities include the trail up the gorge at Watkins Glen, the Corning Glass factory tour, numerous waterfalls along the routes, and even more wineries
- There are connections with either the nearby Seaway Trail along Lake Ontario (very boring) or the Erie Canal Trails (much better from Buffalo to Albany) across the top of the region if you wish for a longer holiday
Looking for more cycling information on cycling in New York State?
If you’re planning a cycling trip to New York State or neighboring Pennsylvania and are looking for more information, consider reading some of my other posts:
- A little to the west, you can go cycling in the Lake Chautauqua area
- Immediately to the south of the Finger Lakes, another possible trip is cycling in the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania
- There are other cycling routes across the USA
Final Thoughts: Finger Lakes Cycling
New York’s Finger Lakes region is a great area for cycling with numerous bike paths, varied scenery, vineyards, waterfalls, and great accommodations.
