Lithuanian & Irish Loops

 These are two short loops that are part of the International Trails system in Kennedy State Forest. Both of them feature climbs out of Babcock Hollow and are especially nice hikes during peak foliage.

Map of the Lithuanian & Irish Loops

You can navigate on this route with the AllTrails map, linked here.

 The GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 42.47438, -76.19243. This is a pull-off parking area on County Rd 131/Babcock Hollow Road next to a scenic pond.

From the parking area (1520’), take the right-hand side of the yellow-blazed Lithuanian Loop Trail across the road and follow it southeast. The trail proceeds mostly level, with a few small climbs up the hill. At 0.2 miles, the trail reaches a four-way intersection with the green-blazed Irish Loop Trail. Continue straight and follow the yellow blazes. At 0.4 miles, the trail reaches its western terminus at a junction with the white-blazed Finger Lakes Trail/North Country Trail. To continue the loop, turn left and head up the hill. This portion can be steep but there are switchbacks to ease out the grade. At 0.5 miles from the trailhead, you will reach the eastern terminus of the yellow-blazed LLT (1735’). Turn left and follow the yellow blazes.

Almost immediately after turning off the main FLT, you will reach the eastern terminus of the green-blazed Irish Loop Trail. To make this hike as efficient as possible, it is recommended that you turn right and follow the ILT first, returning to complete the LLT later in the hike (after completing the Irish Loop, you will be at this junction again). Follow the green blazes from here.

From here, the trail steadily climbs through a deciduous forest with nice fall and winter views to the left. It passes a few connector trails, including the Brennan Bypass Trail and the Kathleen Boreen Spur. Keep following the Irish Loop Trail. At 0.8 miles, the high point for this hike is reached at Brennan Hill (1855’).

The trail descends steeply on switchbacks before reaching a junction with the yellow-blazed LLT at 1.1 miles. Continue straight, following an old woods road. 0.2 miles later, the LLT crosses the Irish Loop again. Continue to follow the green blazes until the western terminus is reached at the main Finger Lakes Trail at 1.5 miles. Turn left and ascend the steep hill again, passing the western terminus of the LLT on the left.

Once you reach the eastern terminus of the Lithuanian Loop Trail, turn left again, but continue to follow the yellow blazes instead of turning right for the Irish Loop. The Lithuanian Loop Trail follows an old woods road slightly downhill, passing the Irish Loop Trail again at 2.1 miles. The LLT continues through a gorgeous spruce forest before arriving at the Babcock Hollow trailhead. Total distance for this hike: 2.3 miles with 525 feet of elevation gain.