The Keuka Outlet Trail, a 7-mile rail-trail path connecting Keuka and Seneca Lakes, offers a unique blend of history, nature, and recreation. The Outlet Trail was built on the track bed of the old Falls Brook Railroad (1884- 1974), which followed the towpath of the historic Crooked Lake Canal (1833 – 1877). The elevation drops 270 feet over the mileage from Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, making the hike or ride not too strenuous in either direction.
The trail has plenty of signs of the former industrial age of the 1800’s and 1900’s. The ruins of mills sites and of locks can be seen as the Keuka Outlet waterway, also known as the Minnesetah River, meanders the through the ravine eastward. The trail varies from paved areas close to Penn Yan, to stone dust paths, mixed gravel, to single worn track. It is maintained by the non-profit Friends of the Outlet, and is open to the public from sun-up to sun-down year round. It is a carry-in, carry-out trail that is used for walking, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Fishing is allowed in the Keuka Outlet, as per NYS guidelines.
I often stop on my way to work for a quick little stroll along the trail, in all seasons.
When you are out and about exploring the Outlet Trail, be sure to look for:
1. Turtle Pond & the Old Canal Prism:
A section of the trail follows the old canal prism, a shallow, stagnant area of water where turtles love to bask on logs, creating a unique and natural wildlife viewing opportunity.
2. Birkett Mills: A Living History:
On Main Street in Penn Yan, Birkett Mills, the oldest continually operating buckwheat mill in the country, stands as a testament to the region’s industrial past and continues to produce flour products.
3. Seneca Mills Falls:
Nature’s Grandeur: The Seneca Mills Falls, the largest waterfalls on the stream, are a sight to behold. This area also features a pavilion and the remnants of lock #17 of the Crooked Lake Canal. Enjoy!
