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6.0 miles
Distance
469 ft
Climb
-538 ft
Descent
01:54:46
Avg time
-69 ft
Altitude change
1,513 ft
Altitude min
1,819 ft
Altitude max
1,791 ft
Altitude start
1,722 ft
Altitude end
-0.2%
Grade
-22.8%
Grade max
27.5%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
1,844 ft
Distance flat
01:54:46
Avg time
Backbone Trail Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Gravel Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaFinger Lakes National Forest
Hector, New York -
Difficulty Rating
-
Local Popularity15 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
- 5 in Gravel Biking
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Global Ranking#156694 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #352268 in Trail Running
- #340105 in Hiking
- #22098 in Horseback
- #47449 in Gravel Biking
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State Ranking#2,077 in Mountain Biking · New York State [+]
- #6,285 in Trail Running
- #7,082 in Hiking
- #289 in Horseback
- #2,616 in Gravel Biking
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Trail TypeDoubletrack
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Bike TypeXC, Gravel
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DirectionBoth Directions[+]
- Both Directions for Gravel Biking
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Climb DifficultyBlue
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Physical RatingModerate
-
Trail VisibilityAlways easy to follow
-
Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerUSDA - Hector Ranger Station
The Backbone Trail begins at the Backbone Horse Campground. The trail traverses the Forest through shrub-lands, pastures, old roads, and old homestead sites. It intersects the Interloken and Burnt Hill Trails to the south and the No-Tan-Takto trail to the north.
Most of this trail is relatively flat doubletrack with natural tread shared with horses and hikers, though the north / south sections have some singletrack mixed in as well as a couple short punchy climbs. The east / west sections of Backbone trail can be very muddy in wet conditions.
From the north, the Backbone Trail can be accessed at the corner of Ball Diamond Road and Wardner Corner Road, at the Foster Pond parking lot, or at several other locations. Skiers and snowmobilers also use this trail in the winter.
source: Finger Lakes National Forest
Disclaimer
Closed to bikes and horses March 15 - May 15
Local Trail Association
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-
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 1 rides
- 11 miles avg distance
All
- 2 rides
- Last: Sep 24, 2026
Backbone Trail Trail Reports
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Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other users about any issues on a trail.
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
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- < 50%
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- no data
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- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
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- > 6 months
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Directions to backbone-trail trailhead
(42.484470, -76.800180)
Photos
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Videos
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3 Reviews & Comments
BeckyYxH9or
Extremely muddy and overgrown. Half of it was riding through chest high grass.
shadfly
Nice beginer loop with beautiful woods and fields. Avoid when wet. Lots of mud.
toddonbike
A relatively gentle but pleasant ride with some climbs to get the legs and lungs going and a few challenges and whoo hoos. A great place to go if you're in the Watkins Glen area and looking to get some off road miles. Watch out for and be courteous to horses, cows and hikers. The trail essentially begins at the Horse Camp. Also passes through some active pastures, please close and secure the gates. Other trail options exist including The Burnt Hill Trail and portions of The Interloken Trail.
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Nearby Trails
- Interloken Trail/picnic Area Road 13 ft
- Interloken Trail South 33 ft
- Picnic Area Road 2,572 ft
- Potomac Pond Trail West 2,753 ft
- N-95 2,995 ft
Finger Lakes National Forest
- By toddonbike & contributors
- #16396 - 2,742 views
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