Ripley Hill to Hinchcliffe to High Vista Preserves

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views · Wildlife

Beautiful and challenging hike with amazing views of the lake. Starting at the top of the hill, you wander through the forest and emerge at the top of a farm field overlooking the lake. From there, it's down, down and down to the Hinchcliff Loop Trail which now connects to the High Vista trail. If you don't want to end your hike on a long uphill climb, you can park at Hinchcliff Loop Trail and then climb up for a view, then back track down to the connector to High Vista.

One of the best hikes on Skaneateles Lakes. The view from the top (Ripley Hill) is amazing - looking north up the lake. The hike then descends down, down, and down to the Hinchcliff Preserve, which is a cool loop around an old farm to the ruins of a lake cottage. There is a new spur trail which leads to the High Vista Preserve, but this loop does not include those trails ... we'll save them for another day.