6 Of The Greatest Gorge Hiking Trails Near Buffalo For Beginners

Out here in Western New York, we may not be too close to the Empire State’s famous mountain ranges but that doesn’t mean our region isn’t home to some truly exquisite hikes! All within a reasonable distance from the city, Buffalonians can venture within a two-hour radius to discover all sorts of gorge-ous trails and natural wonders. If you’re ready to explore the great outdoors, then travel beyond the city of Buffalo for the day to experience all of these amazing hiking trails.

Andy Arthur/Flickr

Andy Arthur/Flickr

New York's most famous gorge just so happens to be only two hours east of the city of Buffalo, making for not only a scenic outdoor adventure, but a beautiful drive as well. The Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park is short but sweet, where over the course of this two-mile trek you'll pass by nearly 20 different waterfalls. As long as you're able to take on the adventure of climbing 800 steps and have a sturdy pair of shoes, you'll do just fine hiking along this trail.

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An equally well-known park here in New York State, Letchworth State Park is only an hour east of Buffalo and will leave you absolutely speechless with its pristine trail system. While some of the routes that exist within Letchworth State Park are longer and will leave you quite a bit exhausted, you'll also find plenty of easy-to-access overlooks along the gorge. Offering up scenic sights of the Genesee River, if you've yet to hike through this nearby state park, you'll want to cross it off of your bucket list as soon as possible.

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Follow the river and head only a half-hour north and before you know it, you'll have arrived at Whirlpool State Park. Situated along the Niagara River, the state park allows you to enjoy a trail that's just over a mile long and leads you to spectacular views of the Niagara Gorge. With plenty of overlooks and well-maintained trails that interconnect, you'll have a blast exploring all that this state park has to offer.

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Savannah Jones/Google

Savannah Jones/Google

A lesser-known gem of Western New York, Conklin's Gully is just under two hours east of Buffalo and you'll wish you had discovered this place sooner. The 12 Falls Trail that runs through the park is just over three miles long, leading you through a jaw-dropping gorge in the small town of Naples. Passing by more than 10 waterfalls and a variety of other natural wonders, Conklin's Gully is a park where you can hike through 100-foot stone walls as if you're Indiana Jones himself.

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If you happened to have already crossed Watkins Glen State Park off of your bucket list, then perhaps you'll want to revisit this small Finger Lakes town to enjoy another nearby park that will steal your breath away. Just outside of town near Watkins Glen, Havana Glen Park is home to a trail that is under one mile long and leads you right to Eagle Cliff Falls. With a trail that's as short as this one and views of such a spectacular natural wonder, you simply can't pass it up!

Andy Arthur/Flickr

Andy Arthur/Flickr

A favorite place to visit during our summer months, Stony Brook State Park is only an hour and a half away from the city of Buffalo. The longest trail within the park is only 1.5 miles long, with several other smaller, interconnecting trailsto explore as well. An enchanting destination, adventurers will be taken across picturesque footbridges and through jaw-dropping gorges that you won't be able to get enough of.

Looking for more ways to enjoy Western New York’s scenery without staying on your feet? Then be sure to take a look at these 5 Ridiculously Charming Train Rides To Take Around Buffalo This Fall!