This hike at Lime Hollow Nature Center in Cortland, NY felt like stepping into a winter wonderland — snow-covered paths, tall pines dusted white, and the kind of peaceful silence and icy chill that resets your whole nervous system.
Lime Hollow has miles of well-marked trails and is especially beautiful after a fresh snowfall. It’s an easy, accessible spot for a slow winter hike, whether you’re local or just passing through the Finger Lakes region.
Snowy trails, quiet air, and that soft stillness only winter brings. ❄️🌲
🥾 If You Go
Location & Parking
Lime Hollow is located just outside Cortland, NY. The main visitor entrance and trailhead is at 338 McLean Road, where you’ll find the Visitor Center, maps, kiosks, and parking. There are additional trailhead parking areas along Gracie Road and at various points like the Lehigh Valley Trail access if you plan a longer or loop hike.
Trail System & Difficulty
There are over 13 miles of free, well-marked trails winding through forests, fields, wetlands, ponds, and even a rare peat bog. You can pick routes that are short and easy or string together multiple trails for a longer hike. Some terrain is gently rolling, so expect a few small hills.
Best Time & Conditions
The trails are open dawn to dusk year-round, and each season has its charm — wildflowers and birds in spring, lush green woods in summer, blazing foliage in fall, and quiet snowy landscapes in winter. In winter months snowshoers and cross-country skiers may share the trails.
Visitor Center Hours & Amenities
Stop by the Visitor Center (at the McLean Road address) for trail maps, restrooms, nature exhibits, and trail-ready wheelchairs you can borrow if needed. Hours are generally daytime but can vary by season, so it’s worth checking ahead before you go.
Accessibility
There’s a Trail for All — a short, accessible path suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and folks with mobility challenges — right from the Visitor Center.
What to Bring & Tips
- Water & snacks — especially if you plan a longer loop.
- Bug spray & tick check — ticks are present in the area, so staying on trails and checking afterward helps you avoid unwelcome hitchhikers.
- Season-appropriate gear — sturdy shoes for uneven ground; snow gear in winter.
Dogs & Trail Etiquette
Dogs are only allowed leashed on the Lehigh Valley Railway Bed heading east; other trails are for hikers only. Always carry out what you carry in and respect other trail users.
Nearby Events & Programs
Lime Hollow👈 hosts guided walks, birding outings, and seasonal events (like the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival), so check their calendar if you’d like to make your visit educational or social.
Oh, Kae. 
Leave a comment