Finger Lakes Trail
~38 days · 545.3 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Finger Lakes Trail is known for
Finger Lakes Trail is a 40+ (thru)-day backpacking route in New York.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,765 ft to 8,688 ft over 545.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 109.0 mi · 21%
- Downhill 82.5 mi · 16%
- Flat 337.8 mi · 64%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Finger Lakes Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Finger Lakes Trail scores 77/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 Finger Lakes Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Finger Lakes Trail in about 38 days (37 nights out) over its 545.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Finger Lakes Trail?
The Finger Lakes Trail climbs roughly 75,253 ft total — about 138 ft per mile, topping out near 3,655 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.