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Trail Stewards Needed - Southern Tier Area (contact us for more info)
HIKE RATING GUIDE
Pets are not allowed on hikes
1 - Leisurely pace or nature walk
2 - Moderate pace
3 - Brisk, steady pace
4 - Fast pace
A - Flat or gently rolling terrain
B – Steps/stairs, moderate hills
C – Fairly steep steps/stairs, hills or ravines
D – Steep hills, scrambles possible
See the bottom of this page for additional important Hiker information
Bring lunch on all day hikes
The weather may force cancellations or changes to an outing.
If in doubt, please check the calendar on this page before you leave.
Members will receive a Google email with the latest updates.
Always check trail conditions before you hike at:
Members: Refer to your Tales newsletter or the Google group email for hiking leader and contact information
5/5/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1A
Rails to Trails Ellicott Rd to Old Glenwood Rd Saunter
MEET: Town of Aurora. Small parking area on Ellicott Rd (Rt 240) across from 5 Star Equipment building (284 Ellicott Rd).
5/9/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
5/10/2026 1:30 PM <5mi 1A
Wildflower Hike Series 2025
There will be hikes on the first four Sundays in May.
MEET: the location of the hike will be announced each week via our Foothills email list. Since it is a nature/wildflower hike, the location will depend on local trail conditions and what is blooming that week. The hikes will be leisure nature walks, stopping frequently to see the wildflowers we encounter along the trail. They will generally be less than five miles long with easy opt out points for most hikes at three miles or less.
5/11/2026 10:00 AM 2.5mi 2A
Tifft Farm
MEET: Tift Farm 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd. Buffalo, NY. Meet in parking lot. Bring binoculars or cameras for animal sightings. Bring lunch for picnic outdoors depending on weather.
5/12/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1A
Lancaster Heritage Trail Saunter
MEET: Parking are at the end of Walter Winter Dr. Take Central Ave. to Erie St. (by Avox Inc.) to Walter Winter Dr.
5/16/2026 10:00 AM 7.5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. Hike takes about 3.5 hours but there will be a lunch break. Hike also requires 2 creek crossings so water sandals might be needed if rock bridges are not present. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
5/17/2026 1:30 PM <5mi 1A
Wildflower Hike Series 2025
There will be hikes on the first four Sundays in May.
MEET: the location of the hike will be announced each week via our Foothills email list. Since it is a nature/wildflower hike, the location will depend on local trail conditions and what is blooming that week. The hikes will be leisure nature walks, stopping frequently to see the wildflowers we encounter along the trail. They will generally be less than five miles long with easy opt out points for most hikes at three miles or less.
5/17/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 2B
Genesee County Park & Forest
MEET: Genesee County Park & Forest 11095 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany Enter Park by turning down Memory Lane off Bethany Center Road, then park in the large parking lot near the Interpretive Nature Center (map available on park website). The park consists of 431 acres of rolling hills with nature trails winding through a nice mix of habitat. We will finish up around noon at which time the Nature Center should be open. Pack a lunch for after the hike.
5/18/2026 10:00 AM 3mi 1A
Knox Farm
MEET: Knox Farm: 437 Buffalo Rd.; East Aurora, NY. We will hike perimeter of the nature preserve including mansion area. Bring lunch for outdoor picnic depending on weather.
5/19/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 2B
Ellicott Creek Trailway Saunter
MEET: Parking lot on North Forest Rd. Just North of Maple.
5/22/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
5/23/2026 Members watch for email regarding possible hike
5/24/2026 1:30 PM <5mi 1A
Wildflower Hike Series 2025
There will be hikes on the first four Sundays in May.
MEET: the location of the hike will be announced each week via our Foothills email list. Since it is a nature/wildflower hike, the location will depend on local trail conditions and what is blooming that week. The hikes will be leisure nature walks, stopping frequently to see the wildflowers we encounter along the trail. They will generally be less than five miles long with easy opt out points for most hikes at three miles or less.
5/25/2026 10:00 AM 3-3.5mi 1A
Rte. 240 Rails to Trails
MEET: Rte. 240 Rails to Trail across from Five Star Equipment 284 Ellicott Rd. West Falls, NY. We will hike trail for approximately 3.0 to 3.5 miles. Weather dependent but bring an outdoor chair for a ‘tailgate’ picnic in parking area afterwards.
5/26/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1A
Break wall and Broderick Park Saunter
MEET: in parking lot to the right at the end of West Ferry Street.
5/30/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
5/31/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/1/2026 10:00 AM 3mi 1A
Chestnut Ridge Pond Saunter
MEET: Chestnut Ridge Pond Saunter 6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Orchard Park.; Meet in parking lot across from Casino. Hike is a loop with little to no elevation changes. Lunch afterwards in Casino or outdoors.
6/2/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1B
Akron Escarpment Saunter
MEET: in driveway entrance by the sports fields – left side of Akron High School on Bloomingdale Road.
6/6/2026
National Trails Day – Erie County Forest, Sardinia, NY
MEET: in the parking lot on Genesee Road. Directions from Buffalo: take Route 219 south to
Genesee Road. Turn left onto Genesee Road. In approximately 7 miles, the parking lot will be
on the left. Hot dog lunch and short, general meeting afterwards. Please bring sides/desserts
.
9am hike, 7 miles, 2+B+
MEET: in the parking lot on Genesee Road. Call DESIREE BERNACKI 716 563 5785.
10am hike, 4 miles, 2B
MEET: in the parking lot on Genesee Road. We will hike the Conservation Trail and
possibly other trails for a total of 4 miles. Be sure to bring water for the hike.
6/7/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/8/2026 10:00 AM 3-3.5mi 1B
Franklin Gulf Park
MEET: Franklin Gulf Park in School St. (North Collins, NY) parking lot. We’ll hike yellow to white to purple to red and back. Please check online map of area as this route involves several transitions in elevation. Bring outdoor chair for parking lot picnic afterwards.
6/9/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1A
Como Lake Park Saunter
MEET: by first shelter on the right from the Bowen Road entrance near Broadway.
6/13/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/14/2026 10:00 AM 7.5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. Hike takes about 3.5 hours but there will be a lunch break. Hike also requires 2 creek crossings so water sandals might be needed if rock bridges are not present. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
6/15/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 2B
Erie County Forest
MEET: Erie County Forest 11323 Genesee Rd. East Concord, NY. Hike on orange trail leading to Middle Rd. then back. Bring pack lunch to picnic at warming hut outdoor picnic table. Hike involves changes in elevation and will have ‘damp’ and muddy areas.
6/16/2026 10:00 AM 3mi 1A
Ellicott Creek Park Saunter
MEET: in large parking lot (bottom of hill) from entrance off Niagara Falls Boulevard across from Paul’s Jewelers.
6/19/2026 10:00 AM 4-5mi 1B
Sprague Brook Park
Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
6/20/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/21/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/22/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1B
Eighteen Mile Creek
MEET: Eighteen Mile Creek 2675 S. Creek Rd. Hamburg, NY. We will hike ‘top perimeter’ of gorge trail. Bring lunch and outdoor chair for picnic lunch in parking lot afterwards.
6/23/2026 10:00 AM 3mi 1B
Knox Farm State Park Saunter
MEET: Knox Farm State Park Saunter in main entrance parking lot off Seneca Street by the red barns.
6/27/2026 10:00 AM 7.5mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: Sprague Brook Park 9674 Foote Rd, Glenwood, NY 14069. Meet in main lot next to the restrooms and shelters 2 and 3. Hike takes about 3.5 hours but there will be a lunch break. Hike also requires 2 creek crossings so water sandals might be needed if rock bridges are not present. A brief educational component will be added to the hike, e.g. Tree ID, Leave No Trace, The 10 Essentials, etc.
6/28/2026
Members watch for email regarding possible hike
6/29/2026 10:00 AM 4mi 1A
Rails to Trails - Orchard Park
MEET: Orchard Park ‘Rails to Trail’ behind Orchard Park Library 4570 S. Buffalo St. Orchard Park, NY. We’ll hike out to Rte. 240 /Ellicott Rd. and back. Bring lunch and outdoor chair for picnic after hike.
6/30/2026 10:00 AM 3-4mi 1A
Amherst Canalway Saunter
MEET: 3755 Tonawanda Creek rd. in Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village parking lot. Lunch after at Uncle G’s.
Important Hiker's Information
INSURANCE NOTE: Attention members: Foothills Trail Club carries liability insurance to financially protect all of us in case a participant in a Foothills activity is injured. As a condition of our insurance coverage, no pets of any kind are allowed and every participant in an activity needs to sign the liability waiver before the activity begins. So please make sure you sign the form!
Hike Leaders and Hikers: Before you commit to lead a club hike or plan a personal hike, check the trail conditions to ensure that the trail is open. This information can be found on the FLT website: www.fingerlakestrail.org. Click on “TRAIL CONDITIONS” and select the map # for your intended hike. Map numbers that appear in ORANGE have trail closures for hunting. Trail conditions are outlined for all the other maps numbers.
HIKER RESPONSIBILITY: We remind you that you, and only you, are responsible for your own actions. Come to our events prepared. Do not participate if the event may present a hazard for which you or your party members are not prepared. If weather is questionable or if you have questions, please call the named hike coordinator; the hike may be canceled. When participating, please respect the coordinator and do not break away from the group without telling them. We suggest you always keep your eye on someone in front of you, and behind you if you are in the lead. Please remember that hike leaders are not guides; they are volunteers, willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. Please give them your cooperation and respect. The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not prepared for the outing. In addition, if the hike leader does arrange carpooling, passengers are expected to contribute toward the cost of transportation. Finally, since there are RISKS INVOLVED in hiking everyone participating does so at his or her own risk.
REMEMBER TO RESPECT LANDOWNER RIGHTS: Stay on the trail, don’t take shortcuts, don’t walk on crops, don’t build fires or camp on private land and NEVER, EVER enter landowner buildings.
BE SURE TO THANK THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THESE ACTIVITIES.
HIKE COORDINATORS: IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR HIKE OR SEND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HIKE TO FOOTHILLS MEMBERS VIA THE CLUB’S GOOGLE GROUP.
Please refer to your Tales newsletter or the Google group email for hiking leader and contact information
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