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Black Diamond Trail Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 12 Google reviews · Running trail in Ithaca, New York · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Black Diamond Trail Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Black Diamond Trail Trailhead
I didn't go all the way up the Black Diamond Trail but about 2 miles in and ran the rest of the six miles downhill. It was such a pleasant run with all of the waterfalls! I will definitely be adding this to my 'places to run in Ithaca' list.
Rode this trail as an out-and-back on 5/17/22 starting at the southern trailhead at the Ithaca Children’s Garden (easy access to a paved trail to Cass Park and the Cayuga Waterfront Trail).
For a pleasant, easy 6+ mile hike park at the "Park and Walk" for Cass Park on Park Road at the bottom of the Cliff Street (route 96) hill, head north along the Cayuga Lake Inlet and following the Cayuga Waterfront trail.
Nice spot for a bike ride. Entirely uphill, about 200ft of elevation gain over 8 miles, not bad if you're in shape. Relatively quiet and nice views of the lake. I do advise caution for riders with skinny tires as some of the road crossings use loose, large gravel that was enough to cause me to fall on my road bike.
Trail conditions & character
“It was such a pleasant run with all of the waterfalls!”
Plan your run at Black Diamond Trail Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Ithaca
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,279 reviews
Part of the Cornell Plantations Path, this walkway offers views of the the gorge & its waterfall.
Ithaca Falls Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,117 reviews
Hiking area featuring a short trail that leads to a waterfall.
Stewart Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,217 reviews
Lakefront park with golf, tennis, playground, carousel, athletic fields, duck pond & spray pool.
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 2,972 reviews
This park with a 150-foot waterfall also features ruins of 19th-century mills & areas for fishing.
