Sugar Hill

Start this clockwise route from the Sugar Hill Fire Tower and Recreation Picnic Site, heading south on the Seneca Trail through a mix of hardwoods and hemlock groves. After a gradual descent, turn right onto the Mohawk Trail, which curves southwest through more remote sections of Sugar Hill State Forest. Continue briefly on the B Trail before reaching the Finger Lakes Trail. Follow the FLT northeast as it climbs steadily through quiet forest and occasional clearings, eventually reconnecting with the Seneca Trail to complete the loop. This moderate hike offers a mix of singletrack and broader forest paths, with the fire tower at the start and end providing sweeping views across Schuyler County. The route’s remote feel and connection to the long-distance FLT corridor make it one of the best day hikes in the Southern Tier. Expect muddy sections, limited signage, and sparse cell service—carry a map or GPS and plan accordingly.