The Letchworth Trail, located on the eastern side of Letchworth State Park, is part of the 900+ mile Finger Lakes Trail System.  The Finger Lakes Trail Conference headquarters is located just off the trail in Mt Morris, near the Mt Morris Dam.  The trail at times comes very close to the edge of the canyon.  This trail may not be suitable for everyone due to the proximity to the sheer cliffs.

The trail has yellow blazes and does coincide with the Genesee Valley Greenway for a short period during the southern section of the trail.  The southern terminus of the trail is the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail at the Whiskey Bridge and the northern terminus is the junction of the Genesee Valley Greenway Connector Trail. 

The Letchworth Trail is officially 25.4 miles (one way) with an overall elevation gain of 1820 feet as well as an overall elevation loss of 2321 feet.  However, our gps has the trail at 23.9 miles.  There are numerous side trails that lead to access points along River Road.  There also two side trails that lead to view points (Owls Fork Ravine and Fidler's Elbow). There are numerous other spectacular views along the trail. 

There are two shelters located along the trail. You will need a permit from the NY State Parks Department in order to use the shelters. Contact the Letchworth State Park Office for more information. If you plan on camping along the trail, please contact the state park directly to inquire on their current regulations regarding camping on state park property. We are NOT affiliated with NY State Parks.

If your looking for solitude in the sometimes crowded Letchworth State Park, then this is the trail for you, especially if your looking for a backpacking hiking trip.  However, you don't need a backpacking trip to enjoy this great trail.  There are numerous day hike opportunities.  We have listed two great day hike options above.

You can help support this trail by purchasing the official maps and guides of this trail directly from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website.  Look below for pictures, a detailed trail description and numerous maps of the Letchworth Trail. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE "SLIDE AREA" of the Letchworth Trail is CURRENTLY CLOSED due to dangerous conditions. The trail is CLOSED from MP 1.0 to MP 2.8 on the description below.

View of the canyon & a dry Inspiration Falls from along the Letchworth Trail

Middle Falls from along the Letchworth Trail

Gate along the Letchworth Trail

View from Hogsback Overlook

Mile	Elevation	Letchworth Trail (Trail #7) Description (South to North)  Yellow Blazes
0.0	1110 ft	Southern Terminus of Letchworth Trail at the FLT/NCT junction near Whiskey Bridge.  Parking.  Follow yellow blazes north.  Following old railroad bed.  Trail coincides with Genesee Valley Greenway.
0.95	1129 ft	Reach Main Street.  Parking.
1.0	1129 ft	Reach NY 436.  Follow NY 436 over Genesee River, then trail turns left after river crossing.  Parking
1.6	1105 ft	View of Genesee River and Portageville.
1.95	1198 ft	Pass under the high bridge of the Norfolk Southern Railroad.  Upper Falls view.
2.5	1133 ft	Trail leaves old railroad/canal towpath and enters "slide area".  This section is currently CLOSED.
2.8	1171 ft	View of Middle Falls & Deh-ga-ya-soh Falls is just off main trail.  Trail is back on old railroad bed. There are numerous side trails that lead to view points at the very edge of gorge over next 0.35 miles. Take extra care if you go to the edge of the gorge!
3.15	1150 ft	A short side trail on left leads to a ledge with a great view of the gorge & Inspiration Falls.
3.25	1155 ft	Cross Park Road.  Parking.
5.0	1132 ft	Reach River Road.  Parking.  Soon the Genesee Valley Greenway turns right.  Letchworth Trail now follows River Road. NOTE: The remains of a series of 17 locks can be observed about one mile east along the GVG.
6.0	1035 ft	Trail turns left off River Road.
6.8	940 ft	Dishmill Creek Area.  Blue access trail on right leads 0.4 mile to River Road and parking.
9.5	1049 ft	St Helena Area.  Blue access trail on right leads 0.3 mile to River Road and parking.
9.6	1034 ft	Open front lean to.
10.9	1051 ft	Blue access trail on right leads 0.35 mile to River Road and parking.
13.15	870 ft	Blue spur trail on left leads 0.35 mile to Owls Fork Ravine overlook.
14.55	1025 ft	Blue spur trail on left leads 0.4 mile to Fidler's Elbow overlook.
15.9	1014 ft	Gardeau Valley Area.  Blue access Trail on right leads 0.4 mile to River Road and parking.
17.85	1054 ft	Smokey Hollow Area.  Blue access Trail on right leads 0.25 mile to River Road and parking.
21.3	906 ft	Hogsback Overlook.  Parking.  Trail crosses parking area, then follows lawn past oak tree before re-entering woods. Views
21.5	896 ft	Junction of Orange Blazed Trail.  Letchworth Trail turns right into pines.
21.7	900 ft	Orange Trail on left.  Letchworth Trail turns right.
22.0	885 ft	Cross under power lines.  Views.  Trail soon enters Mt Morris Dam Parking Area.
22.3	878 ft	Mt Morris Dam overlook area.  Parking.  Dam Visitor Center.  Trail follows Dam Rd.
22.4	873 ft	FLTC Service Center.  FLT mileage sign post.  Trail turns left off Dam Road.
23.9	672 ft	Northern Terminus of Letchworth Trail.