25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #21 A Nature Center Hike

Fall foliage viewing wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Tanglewood Nature Center in Elmira. The center features nine miles of scenic trails in Finger Lakes Wine Country that begin at the Nature Center and allow you to experience the natural beauty of Mark Twain Country's Chemung Valley first-hand. There is fall hiking and winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoe rentals.

Expect to see along your hike: Pines, white spruce, firs and larch comprise the plantations along the trails. The woods include a tract of eastern hemlock interspersed with American beech, red maple, black birch and hop hornbeam. Another part of the woods is an old sugar bush consisting primarily of mature sugar and red maples. The trails are open sunrise to sunset everyday.

In addition, the 12,000 square foot Center features a museum with 43 species of live animals, interactive exhibits and a comfortable library for bird-watching and reading. The museum is open: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-4PM now through the end of April. We are closed Sundays, Mondays and the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day. Inclement weather or staff shortages may cause early closures. Please call (607)732-6060 to confirm hours.