Crystal Hills Trail
~4 days · 47.8 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Crystal Hills Trail is known for
The Crystal Hills Trail is a 47-mile branch of the Finger Lakes Trail running from the Pennsylvania border south of Corning to the main FLT between Bath and Hammondsport, and it carries the Great Eastern Trail's routing through this part of New York. A point-to-point walk over state-forest hills with lean-to shelters along the way.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,068 ft to 6,102 ft over 47.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 19.6 mi · 41%
- Downhill 19.2 mi · 40%
- Flat 8.8 mi · 18%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Crystal Hills Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Crystal Hills Trail scores 23/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Crystal Hills Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Crystal Hills Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 47.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Crystal Hills Trail?
The Crystal Hills Trail climbs roughly 6,017 ft total — about 126 ft per mile, topping out near 1,864 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.