Hiking in Chemung County

Why Hike?

By dictionary definition, a hike, is “a long walk, especially in the country or wilderness.” While “hiking” does not always take place in a natural setting, the action is often associated with being in nature.In addition to the exercise hiking provides, studies have shown time in nature playing a positive role inhealth and wellbeing. So much so, that Cornell University Health clinicians and mental health providers “prescribe nature” to students. Research on Nature Rx doesn’t stop short of humans either – it has also been shown to improve the quality of life for lab mice!

Per the Nature Rx website, time spent in nature can:

• Improve your cognitive ability, specifically by boosting your ability to concentrate and increasing your attention span

• Positively benefit your mood and improve your sense of overall happiness

• Reduce feelings of and physiological responses to stress

• Increase your number of social connections and the quality of your social relationships

• Boost your physical health and well-being

Getting Started:

This page provides basic information on getting started finding, planning and navigating hikes in Chemung County and beyond. Whether you are completely new to the idea of hiking or are a seasoned veteran, the information in this short resource guide will help you get on the trail.

Initial consideration for hikes should include appropriate footwear and clothing for the terrain and trail conditions you may encounter. In New York, you never really know what weather and conditions you may encounter day to day, so checking the weather at least 24 hours in advance of a hike is a good idea. Using the local news (WENY or WETM, The National Weather Service (NOAA), or your favorite weather app are all good options. Plan around the day’s conditions, choosing the appropriate footwear and layers to stay safe and comfortable.

Dressing in layers and choosing to wear wool or synthetic (nylon) materials over cotton is highly recommended. Wool and synthetic materials will dry faster and maintain thermal properties better when wet, helping keep you cool in hot conditions and warm in cool conditions. Additionally, too tight of a fit will diminish thermal capacity of socks and outerwear, so err on the side of too big.

Comfortable hiking shoes or boots that are advertised as waterproof is a good universal starting point for footwear – I recommend reading reviews and trying (with your hiking socks) as many pairs within your budget as possible before deciding. Another note - “waterproof” is not always true to advertisement - it is a good idea to test capabilities of your footwear at home before long hikes around water to keep your expectations realistic. Everything has a shelf life as well, so check gear regularly for form, fit, and function!

Always do a little research on the area you are planning to visit either by finding a physical or digital map of the area or using GPS based mapping/trail apps. By planning a route and doing research ahead of time, you can set, have, and share realistic goals and expectations. Knowing where you are going and letting folks know your plan should be at the top of your list for safe and effective outdoor recreation. It has been said, “expect the best and plan for the worst.” So, sharing information (like where you are going and how long you are planning to be gone) with a friend or relative and having confirmation from them should be done before any adventure.

For navigation and planning, I have been using the OnX platform (paid subscription) for close to 10 years and it has worked incredibly well for me, but there are many other free/paid apps and resources available including Garmin, Google (Earth/Maps), Strava, All Trails, Gaia GPS, CalTopo, and others.

Planning your hike in a way that works for you is important, whether you are planning to hike one mile or one hundred miles. Here is a great checklist and guide from Backcountry to help you through the planning process - Every Essential Hiking Item | Backcountry.

Ephemeral pools at Park Station provide habitat for breeding amphibians and other wildlife inhabiting the area. (Photo by: Todd Martin)

References and Resources:

Cornell Health. (2026 April). Nature Rx. Cornell University. https://health.cornell.edu/initiatives/campus-initiatives/nature-rx

Cornell Integrated Pest Management. (2026, April). Ticks. Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/ticks

Hayes, C. (2025, December 15) In lab mice rehomed to field, anxiety is reversed. Cornell Chronicle. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/12/lab-mice-rehomed-fields-anxiety-reversed

Hiking Essentials Checklist. (2026, April). Backcountry. Retrieved April 2026 from Every Essential Hiking Item | Backcountry

Pesticide Safety Education Program. (2026, April). Fact Sheets. Cornell Cooperative Extension. https://psep.cce.cornell.edu/fact-sheets/

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, April). Ticks. https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html

Last updated May 13, 2026