The Spectacular Finger Lakes

Enjoy World Class Vineyards, Stunning Natural Beauty and Charming Small Towns

Mighty waterfalls, rolling vineyards, farmland and historic villages: The Finger Lakes of Upstate New York has it all and more!

Destination

New York

Activity

Biking

Level

Intermediate

Duration

6 days / 5 nights

If you are a food and wine lover and have ridden in Napa, Tuscany, or the South of France, add the Finger Lakes to the top of your Bike Tour Bucket List. If you love big open views, silky smooth roads, and rolling farmland along stunning lakes, then this is the ride for you! Wine Connoisseurs take note: you will visit the Konstantine Frank vineyard whose founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank introduced vinifera to the region starting a winemaking renaissance in the region.

From $2,895 PP

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Home to almost 100 wineries and breweries, our bike tour weaves between three of the largest and deepest of the Finger Lakes. You’ll visit unique and world class wineries, ride along the shores of lakes, hike along stunning waterfalls and visit fascinating sites, including the National Women’s Hall of Fame, Cornell Univerity’s stunning campus, Its a Wonderful Life Museum, and the spell-bounding Watkins Glenn State Park. Bring your camera, your curiosity and your taste buds!

New York’s Finger Lakes region is home to 11 pristine, glacial lakes, sparkling waterfalls, small farms, and magnificent parks! You’ll get up close and personal with three of the lakes — Cayuga, Seneca, and Keuka. We’ll visit charming villages with one-of-a-kind museums and unique shopping opportunities. The Finger Lakes Wine Country has a rich cultural history with ties to glassmaking, winemaking and viticulture, aviation and motorcycle history, literary history, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War. In addition to smooth and quiet cycling, this history provides unique cultural experiences.

Foodies will be in heaven as food producers in the Finger Lakes make some of the freshest meats, cheeses, and shelf products there is to be found. The small-scale farmers strive to use the best local ingredients and pride themselves in the expertise and care that’s put into their produce–tastings at the Keuka Cremery, beer samples at the Bottomless Brewing Craft Beer, and an exclusive visit to the Dr. Konstantine Frank Vineyard on Keuka Lake, ranked one of the top 100 vineyards in the world and whose founder Dr. Konstantin Frank “ignited the Vinifera Revolution a movement that forever changed the course of wine growing in the Finger Lakes and the United States.”

If you are drawn to wine-making regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, Napa Valley, and the South of France, then the Finger Lakes is a must-visit destination.

Tour Essence

Daily rides along silky smooth roads that follow the shores of Lake Cayuga, Seneca and Keuka Lake
Wine tasting at the world-class Dr. Konstantin Frank vineyard
Two night stay at the Inn at Glenora Winery, rooms with stunning views of Lake Seneca
Visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Fight for Civil Rights that changed the world
Ride across George Bailey’s (It’s a Wonderful Life) bridge
Explore Cornell University vibrant’s stunning campus, the Cornell plantation, and the famous The Lab of Ornithology
Visit Taughannock Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains.
Explore Watkins Glen State Park and its 18 cascading waterfalls and breathtaking gorges
The beautiful village of Hammondsport and a vintage biker’s dream visit to the Glenn Curtiss Museum, named after the pioneer in aviation and bicycle frame builder
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a 10,000-acre wildlife preserve home to eagles, heron, snow geese and much more
Picnic Lunch on the lush grass of Long Point State Park on the shores of Lake Cayuga

What to Expect

Terrain

Rolling Vineyards and Lake views

Start Location

Ithaca, NY

End Location

Ithaca, NY

Mileage

Average Daily: 45 Miles

Elevation

Average Daily: 2,200 Feet

Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.

Van Support
The services of 2 bike tour guides
Accommodations for 5 nights
3 lunches, 4 dinners
Wine tasting at the world class Dr. Konstantin Frank vineyard
Snacks
Ciclismo Classico Jersey
Ciclismo Goodie Bag
Welcome cocktail

Bring your own! Bikes are not included for this specific trip.

Call us if you need a rental bike!

All accommodations, 5 breakfasts
3 lunches
4 dinners
Daily Support Stops in addition to lunch stops with snacks and hydration mix
Wine tasting at the world class Dr. Konstantin Frank vineyard

Wine tasting at the world class Dr. Konstantin Frank vineyard
Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Fight for Civil Rights that changed the world
Ride across George Bailey’s (It’s a Wonderful Life) bridge
Explore Cornell University vibrant’s college, staying at the The Statler Hotel
Visit the Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen

Dates

2021

Jul 25-30

Available

Aug 22-27

Available

Sep 12-17

Available

From $2,895 PP

$ 700 Optional Single Supplement

Book Now

Schedule A Call

Download Itinerary

Any of our tours can be made private. Contact us to learn more.

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Itinerary

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Start Location

Ithaca, NY

Fly Into

Ithaca, NY (ITH)

End Location

Ithaca, NY

Fly Out Of

Ithaca, NY (ITH)

Download Itinerary

STYLED MAP

Day1

Welcome to the Finger Lakes! Ride from Ithaca to Glenora

Meet the group at 9 am at the Statler Hotel, ready to ride! Today we will start our tour with a ride through Ithaca, then up and away from Cayuga Lake to Glenora, through the southern part of the Finger Lakes region. The quiet roads and low traffic will let you relax and warm-up for the wonderful week to come! Lunch will be in Watkins Glen, located on the southern shore of Seneca Lake. We will ride to Watkins Glens State Park, the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks. The Glen Creek drops 400 feet, between 200-foot cliffs, carving out 19 stunning waterfalls. It's truly gorgeous! We'll walk through the refreshingly cool gorge to visit the stunning gorges and Rainbow Falls, known to be the most scenic of all the glens in the Finger Lakes region. Tonight, we will be staying at the Glenora Wine Cellars hotel, where your room will have a stunning view of Seneca Lake! Time to pour some wine and relax!

Meals Provided

Dinner

Average Mileage

37 miles

Elevation Gain

3600 feet

Riding Terrain

Major climb at the beginning of the ride, then rolling

Meals Provided

Dinner

Accommodations

Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars

Escape to one of 30 spacious and inviting guest rooms at The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars, each beautifully appointed with Stickley furniture and brand new pillow top mattresses and box springs. Every room features a private balcony or patio with a view of the vineyard and Seneca Lake.

Luxury Level3 stars

Day2

Keuka Lake Loop

On today’s ride, we get a taste of the rolling farmland that makes this region such a perfect area to ride. The rolling ups lead to an incredible downhill to meet our third Finger Lake as we ride along the lovely shores of Keuka Lake. We stop in the tiny village of Hammondsport with its traditional Town Square surrounded by local lunch spots. Hammondsport was voted the “Coolest Small Town in America" and is referred to as “The Cradle of Aviation.” It is home to The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, dedicated to the memory of the pioneer aviator and housing such exhibits as a full-scale replica of the first naval aircraft and many original planes and developed by Curtiss. Curtiss began his career as a bicycle messenger, bicycle racer, and bicycle-shop owner. In 1901, he developed an interest in motorcycles when internal-combustion engines became more available. After lunch, we head north on the west side of Keuka Lake through the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country and have a very special visit to Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard, one of the most prestigious and beloved wineries in the Finger Lakes and named one of the top 100 vineyards in the world! Dr. Frank introduced vinifera (classic European grape varieties) to the Eastern United States which ignited a winemaking renaissance in the region. Without the contributions of Dr. Frank, the Finger Lakes wine region would not be where it is today. The winery was established in 1962 and is now in its fourth generation of Frank family ownership. The winery’s tasting room overlooks beautiful Keuka Lake and some of the oldest vinifera vineyards in America. In the afternoon we ride along the north end of Keuka Lake and through the town of Penn Yan, we pedal past Amish farmhouses before returning to the Inn at Glenora away from the lake and through verdant farmland back to our hotel.

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Dinner

Average Mileage

60 miles

Elevation Gain

3,000 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling along Keuka Lake

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations

Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars

Luxury Level3 stars

Day3

Glenora to Seneca Falls

Today we head north, enjoying views that alternate between open fields and vineyards with beautiful Seneca Lake in the background. Like Keuka Lake yesterday, the western shore of Seneca plays host to numerous wineries, and who knows where we may stop for some refreshments. (The Finger Lakes Region is home to over 100 different wineries!) Once north of Dresden, we take a turn, the lake disappears, and fields full of corn and other crops will remind you of the Great Plains. Then we’ll ride through Geneva at the northern outlet of Seneca Lake with its beautiful lakefront park. From there it’s only a short trip east to historically Seneca Falls famous for the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women's rights convention in the United States. The meeting held in July of 1848 launched the women's suffrage movement, which more than seven decades later ensured women the right to vote. Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the National Women’s Hall of Fame and don’t forget to grab a selfie on the bridge from the iconic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life!”

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Average Mileage

50 miles

Elevation Gain

1,700 ft

Riding Terrain

Rolling

Meals Provided

Breakfast

Accommodations

The Gould Hotel

In the heart of America’s Best Wine Region and adjacent to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls builds upon the building’s rich history of social importance in the Finger Lakes Region with a unique and fresh feel. This modern boutique hotel and its exceptional restaurant have again become a vibrant social center and premier destination for guests in the quaint village of Seneca Falls.

Luxury Level3 stars

Day4

Cayuga Lake Loop

On today’s ride we will enjoy cruising easily along the western shore of Cayuga Lake, home to beautiful views and (surprise!) more of the wineries that make the region famous. Eventually, we will turn away from the lake, climbing back onto the flats where the main attraction is mile after mile of flat roads, open fields and skies, and the freedom that two wheels offer. After our finish back in Seneca Falls, we will once again return to the Gould Hotel and have time to visit this historical treasure and the landmarks that mark this hamlet as the birthplace of women’s rights in the United States.

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Average Mileage

50 miles

Elevation Gain

1700 ft

Riding Terrain

Gentle rolling

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations

The Gould Hotel

Luxury Level3 stars

Day5

Seneca Falls to Ithaca

We start our spin today with a spin through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, an 8,000 acre refuge serving as a major resting area for waterfowl and other waterbirds on their journeys to and from nesting areas in northeastern and east-central Canada. From here we head South and pedal along the Eastern side of Lake Cayuga. 40 miles in length, Lake Cayuga is the longest of all the Finger Lakes. We’ll stop in the small college town of Aurora, home to Wells College and was the site of a major Cayuga Indian village, Chonodote, which stands near the present-day site of Aurora village. During the 19th century, Aurora developed as a minor center for manufacturing and was a stopping point for canal traffic after the Cayuga–Seneca Canal. It became a port, shipping produce from farmers in the region up Cayuga Lake, then by the Erie Canal to other major markets. The grand finale of our ride is our arrival at Cornell University, with its incredible views of the area and its stunning campus with its eclectic architecture styles, including ornate Collegiate Gothic, Victorian, and Neoclassical buildings. Dinner tonight is a special Tuscan feast at Taverna Banfi, recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Average Mileage

50 miles

Elevation Gain

2,200 ft

Riding Terrain

Flat the first part, then rolling

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations

The Statler Hotel Ithaca

Tucked into Cornell University’s vibrant campus, The Statler Hotel blends contemporary style with a grand tradition of hospitality. Surround yourself with majestic gorges, eclectic architecture and the bustling energy of campus life. Delight in upscale accommodations and first-class service from seasoned hospitality professionals and energetic students from Cornell’s world-renowned School of Hotel Administration. Indulge in the flavors of Tuscany and award-winning wines at Taverna Banfi or meet for cocktails at the Regent Lounge. Get swept away by panoramic views of the lush Finger Lakes countryside.

Luxury Level4 stars

Day6

Taughannock Falls Loop

We ride the beautiful Black Diamond Trail to Taughannock State Park, the Rail Trail is part of the old line that was once the flagship passenger line of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Known as the Black Diamond Express, a luxury passenger service ran from New York to Buffalo. Experience a range of natural landscapes from a towering canopy of mature maple, hemlock, oak, and hickory, to views of pastoral agricultural lands, and dozens of ravines with the sounds of cascading waters all heading for the picturesque Cayuga Lake. At the end of the 9 mile trail, we will bike to the top of Taugannock Falls, one of the outstanding natural attractions of the Northeast that plunges 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. We’ll return to Ithaca and for lunch at an outdoor cafe before we say our goodbyes!

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch

Average Mileage

22 miles

Elevation Gain

1,100 ft

Riding Terrain

1 Gradual climb

Meals Provided

Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations

The Spectacular Finger Lakes

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2021 Tours

North America

Italy

New! Ciclismo Close to Home

Tour Collections

By Activity

By Ability Level

2021 Tours

The Spectacular Finger Lakes

Enjoy World Class Vineyards, Stunning Natural Beauty and Charming Small Towns

Download a Detailed Itinerary

Destination

Activity

Level

Duration

Tour Essence

What to Expect

Terrain

Start Location

End Location

Mileage

Elevation

What's Included

Dates

2021

Itinerary

Start Location

Fly Into

End Location

Fly Out Of

Welcome to the Finger Lakes! Ride from Ithaca to Glenora

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars

Keuka Lake Loop

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars

Glenora to Seneca Falls

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

The Gould Hotel

Cayuga Lake Loop

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

The Gould Hotel

Seneca Falls to Ithaca

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Riding Terrain

Meals Provided

Accommodations

The Statler Hotel Ithaca

Taughannock Falls Loop

Meals Provided

Average Mileage

Elevation Gain

Dramatic mountain views and fairytale towns