Abbott Loop Trail

 The Abbott Loop is a favorite Tompkins County day hike. It offers a challenging route through Danby State Forest, with scenic overlooks, steep slopes, and bubbling brooks.

Map of the Abbott Loop

Link to step-by-step RunGo directions, which can be used in real-time on the trail with the RunGo app. Alternatively, here is a link to the AllTrails trail map for this hike.

The parking for this hike is on Michigan Hollow Road. There is a parking area for 5-6 vehicles on the west side of the road. See below for a detailed description of this hike.

Parking GPS coordinates: 42.317203, -76.477609

From the parking area (1280’), follow the FLT/NCT westbound, marked with white blazes. You will shortly cross a bridge called Diane’s Crossing. Immediately after the bridge, you will come to a junction with the orange-blazed Abbott Loop Trail. Turn left at this junction.

You will begin climbing a somewhat steep hill for the next 0.5 miles. Then, descend and cross a creek at 1.1 miles from the parking area.

After crossing the creek, the trail will turn sharply left and start ascending again. At 1.3 miles, turn right onto the dirt Bald Hill Road (1480’). You will follow the road briefly before turning left onto the trail, still marked with orange blazes.

After a mellow climb, you will reach Thatcher’s Pinnacles (1700’) which is the high point on the route. There are spectacular views to the west.

The trail follows the ridgeline for a while, before descending through a evergreen forest. At mile 3.0, you will cross Bald Hill Road again (1530’).

The trail then descends and follows a narrow ravine for the next 3/4 mile. The trail then crosses a wooden bridge before ascending a short hill, then descending into Michigan Hollow. You will cross Michigan Hollow Road at mile 4.6 (1170’).

After the road crossing, begin a steep ascent up the eastern side of Michigan Hollow. At mile 5.6, you will arrive at Hill Road (1670’). You have now gained most of the elevation lost from Thatcher’s Pinnacle.

Follow the road south (right) briefly, before turning left onto the trail. You will begin a somewhat steep descent and cross a series of small brooks.

After following a brook upstream, you will arrive at the eastern terminus of the Abbott Loop Trail at mile 6.6 (1470’). The Finger Lakes Trail/North Country Trail goes to the left and right. Turn left and follow the trail west. You are now following the white blazes.

At mile 6.9, you will cross Hill Road once again (1590’). The trail then begins a long descent back down to Michigan Hollow. You will arrive back at the trailhead at mile 8.2, completing the loop.