A child stands on a makeshift wooden bridge made from a fallen tree trunk, surrounded by a forest of tall trees. In the background, a bicycle is resting on the ground among scattered branches and foliage. The scene conveys a sense of adventure in a natural woodland setting. Shindagin Hollow mountain bike trail.
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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 17 mi (27.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +861/ -797 ft
Total: 146 riders
 

Mountain Biking Shindagin Hollow

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#3 of 301 mountain bike trails in New York
#325 in the world

Ithaca was selected as a top 5 place to live for mountain biking by Bike magazine in 2002. This is probably the best of the nearby state lands. Many miles of technical singletrack with a multitude of fellow riders on any nice day. Numerous man-made obstacles especially in Area 51. Trails are maintained by a local bike club working with DEC. Located in the Finger Lakes region of NYS plenty of wineries and microbrews to sample and Ithaca has a great scene in which to enjoy the night as well as great places to shop. Shindagin is probably the premiere place to bike in central NY. Check out the Cycle-CNY for trail updates and maps. Fat biking is allowed in the winter time.

First added by searsandrewj on Feb 29, 2004. Last updated Jul 9, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: yes
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From Ithaca take state route 79 southeast, right on Creamery Rd., right on Braley Hill Road. Pick a trailhead.
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Shindagin Hollow Trail map

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Local Info

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Trail conditions

Fair (May 27, 2019)
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Camping & Lodging

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Shindagin Hollow videos

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A wet ride at Shindagin Hollow…
 
Shredding Shindagin Hollow "year of the…
 
Mountain Bike Near Disaster Log Bridge…
 
 
 
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Reviews

  • Grant Harding
    *****

    Trails are well marked and well maintained with a few downed trees that weren't ridable (in late fall). Lots of roots, some nice rock sections, and constant up and downs.

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  • Paul Rine
    *****

    Wow, this is what I was searching for. The trail volunteers have put in a lot of work, making for a very fun ride. Nice flowing downhills that are bermed and have small jumps. Trail features and structures were placed around every 1/4 mile. You can loop the trails and make a nice 15 mile ride.

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  • Jimmy Christensen
    *****

    Copy and paste the link below for an awesome highlight video from Shindagin Hollow Trails. This is one of my must ride spots whenever I am in Upstate NY and the locals agree! Great trails all around varying from fast downhill rips to long windy leg burners. Some great flow and a ton of roots to bounce around on. There are also some great man man bridges and log rides. I post new videos from different spots around New England every Monday, so be sure to subscribe for more! Link: https://youtu.be/Z69NnE0eKQ8

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  • eddttt2

    I drove around the roads for almost a half hour, couldn't find any trailhead besides that for the white trail which was short and sloppy.

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  • conmisojos
    ****

    Great place for the cycle with your mtb! I cycled with my mtb for 3:30 hr through the blue (1,4,6) and red(3,5,6) trails and it was amazing, but you should pay attention to the marks because in some places it is difficult to keep track. I'll try to come back each week to enjoy, in this area there aren't many places to enjoy with your mtb.
    You can view my activity in: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1182710

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  • chefmantjtiii
    *****

    Best trail system in CNY!!! Offers trails for all types of riders. Singletrack with flow sections, roots and technical terrain, hills, and obstacles. Trails in ideal condition AUG 2015

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  • Todd585

    Rained for 3 days before we went last week. Red trails were 3-4 inches deep in mud. The yellow were great, #1 was a rush. Going back!

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  • KIDCRUSTY
    *****

    Dope place to ride. Trails markers sometimes are missing.

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  • gunnerbee
    ****

    Rode this trail with my nephew. It was difficult to find the trail head. We stumbled across blue 5 and then blue 2. A little more searching found blue 1. It would be helpful to have a rough drawing of the trails.

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  • robotmechanic
    ***

    The part I rode (blue trail mostly) was pretty and peddaly. The most challenging thing about it was that the woods were so wet that the roots were slick as ice (note that it wasn't a particularly wet day or week, it's just that this forest moves and retains a lot of water). Lots of balance practice and cardio work. The IMBA trail is a great descent.

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  • *****

    Lots of tight singletrack with nice descents, roots, jumps, berms. Not to may drops. These trails have a great flow to them and are very fast in places. Lots of man made features. Very well maintained. Blue trail has a poor drain off and can be wet in spots. In general probable the best trail I have wriden in NYS for xc and all mountain biking.

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  • General_Zod

    Do you know what the total mileage is and/or elevation? Thanks for any info.

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  • Phieagles1976
    *****

    this is by far the best trail system I have ridden hands down I love this place thanks to the engineers. This place by far deserves a better rating than what is listed!

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  • DiamondbackGuy
    *****

    This is by far the best place i've rode in the State. I heard a lot of hype about the place so i was skeptical. Pick up a map from cny-cycle.com. I road the blue and yellow areas and had a blast. The roots can be tricky at times...Always bouncing your front tire around so be alert. Its worth the drive, check it out!

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  • soezgg
    ****

    Shindagin is a seemingly endless network of trails. So many that it is easy to get lost. Thankfully, the entire network is contained by a few recognizable dirt roads. Either way, Shindagin is peppered with skinnies, ledges, jumps and some newly built freeride obstacles. Lots of hills, lots of roots, might be a little wet at the bottom. Parking is decent near the top. You can come here, ride all morning, break for lunch, ride until dark and still not see every trail.* Review edited 4/22/2010

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  • emdoctor
    *****

    I have been riding Shindagin for years. The place is full of trails and it evolves every year. The jumps are cool and the obstacles are challenging. A must stop for all journeymen.

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  • mc14850
    *****

    Trail crews have been doing awesome work here. The trails are in the best shape ever in the 20 years I have been riding them!

    Area 51 - mentioned in older reviews - is gone, but no worries, lots of very well built jumps, drops, log bridges and skinnies. They are now sprinkled around instead of packed in a small area.

    Be sure to grab the map from the CNY site linked below - very handy for riders new to the area.* Review edited 8/18/2008

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  • brummer14
    *****

    Nice singletrack and tons of it. You can ride for a while out there and you can check out www.cycle-cny.com for a trail map or here is a link that will take you right there
    http://www.cycle-cny.com/phpbb/Coppermine/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=7

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  • bioadam
    *****

    Great trails, and we only scratched the surface, this place will likely become one of my groups favorite places to ride in the area. Recommended.

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Rider questions

Q: Is there a place to rent decent mountain bikes near Shindagin Hollow?

Q: Is there a lot of downhill?