What is the Finger Lakes Trail System?

The Finger Lakes Trail System includes the main Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) from the Pennsylvania-New York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve. The main FLT is 561 miles long. There also are six branch trails (including the NY section of the GET…see below) and fourteen loop trails that extend from the main FLT as well as several spurs. These branch, loop and spur trails currently total 351 miles. The Trail System has been and is being built and maintained by 15 organizational and approximately 60 individual and family trail sponsors. All of these groups and individuals are volunteers, except for personnel of the U.S. Forest Service who maintain the 12-mile-long Interloken Trail, one of the FLT System's branch trails. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Inc., (FLTC) was organized in 1962 to promote and coordinate the building, maintenance, and protection of the FLT System. The trail system of over 911 miles is located almost equally on private and public land. There are currently approximately 700 private landowners who allow the trail to be on their land. See a chart of mileage by map for the entire FLT system. Not included in our mileage is our newest branch trail which is in the process of being named. It will be part of the Great Eastern Trail (GET). When completed, it will add approximately 45 more miles to the FLT system.

Several sections of the main FLT have been certified by the National Park Service as official components of the North Country National Scenic Trail. When completed, the North Country Trail will extend 4,600 miles across seven states between eastern New York to central North Dakota.

The Finger Lakes Trail is a footpath. Please see this footpath policy adopted by the FLTC Board of Managers on 1-25-2009.

Who Can Use the Trails of the Finger Lakes Trail System?

The entire FLT System is open for use by the general public with no fees charged for its use. The System is closed where it crosses private land on the first Monday of February for 24 hours each year. Persons using the Trail System should be aware of the various big game and other hunting seasons and should avoid use during these times. The Trail System is intended for foot travel. Motorized vehicles, mountain bikes, and horses are not permitted unless specifically approved by the landowner or public authority having jurisdiction. It is recommended that groups be kept as small as possible, particularly for backpacking when the size should not exceed ten persons. Following these simple rules will help preserve the Finger Lakes Trail System for years to come.

1. Respect private property and stay on the trail
2. Travel in groups of 10 or fewer people.
3. Share shelters and campsites with others.
4. Camp or build fires only in designated areas.
5. Cook on campstoves if possible.
6. Use wood only when necessary for fires. Use dead wood. Do not cut green wood.
7. Purify all water you use.
8. Take all litter back home.

Who Maintains the Trail? How You can Help

The Finger Lakes Trail was built and is maintained by VOLUNTEERS. Each year volunteers log in approximately 15,000 hours of trail work, but trail work alone does not keep the organization going. There are many other things that must be done to support the trail and provide services to our members, our partners, and the general public. We hope that YOU will consider volunteering some of your time and talents to the FLTC. Read a list of some things to consider, to check and return to us if you're interested. Because of limited space, some of the items listed are without much detail, so feel free to ask for more information before volunteering.