Black Diamond Trail — stone-dust return from Ithaca
New York · Greenway
Follow the signed main Black Diamond Trail north from Cass Park for up to three miles, then retrace. Natural gorge tracks, park roads and future trail links are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Ithaca · New York
- Ride length
- Up to 6 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Improved stone-dust former rail trail when firm and dry
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Sustained rail-grade climb along the lake slope, then a long return descent; no numeric maximum grade verified.
- Starting location
- Black Diamond Trail south entrance at Cass Park, Ithaca, NY
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Named public park, facility, address or path-crossing reference reconciled with manager/partner access evidence. It is not an exact curb entrance, parking stall or navigable route line. Follow the written public start and current signs.
Black Diamond Trail — stone-dust return from Ithaca — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-23. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Black Diamond Trail south entrance at Cass Park, Ithaca, NY.
Use only signed public visitor/trailhead spaces under current hours, fees and event controls. Reserved, private, business, school and campus parking is not assumed available.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 6 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Follow the signed main Black Diamond Trail north from Cass Park for up to three miles, then retrace. Natural gorge tracks, park roads and future trail links are excluded.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Improved stone-dust former rail trail when firm and dry. Sustained rail-grade climb along the lake slope, then a long return descent; no numeric maximum grade verified.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-23. Documented selected improved bicycle course. Sustained gentle uphill outward means a long descent returning; control speed. State Parks warns about thefts at Ithaca trailheads. Park vehicle fees may apply even though the trail itself is free. This is a dated source review, not a field inspection or same-day all-clear. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.