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South Hill Recreation Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 10 Google reviews · Running trail in Ithaca, New York · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from South Hill Recreation Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.

South Hill Recreation Trail — running trail in Ithaca, NY, photo 1
South Hill Recreation Trail — running trail in Ithaca, NY, photo 2
South Hill Recreation Trail — running trail in Ithaca, NY, photo 3
South Hill Recreation Trail — running trail in Ithaca, NY, photo 4
South Hill Recreation Trail — running trail in Ithaca, NY, photo 5
Open 24hDog-friendlyFlat & fast

What runners say about South Hill Recreation Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (10 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

This is my normal morning trail. When I want to get out of the house and NOT walk down the side of the road, this is where I go!

★★★★★ — Zach , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 10 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

➖ Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Relaxing, flat, great for a leisurely stroll or jog.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

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Plan your run at South Hill Recreation Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find South Hill Recreation Trail

S Hill Recreation Way, Ithaca, NY 14850

Get directions

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.

Mulholland Wildflower Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 276 reviews

Ithaca, NY

ScenicDog-friendly

Designated in 1970, this nature park offers trails, waterfalls, rock formations & wildlife viewing.

under a mile away

Six Mile Creek Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

Ithaca, NY

Scenic

under a mile away

Cascadilla Gorge Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,279 reviews

Ithaca, NY

Scenic

Part of the Cornell Plantations Path, this walkway offers views of the the gorge & its waterfall.

under a mile away

Ithaca Falls Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,972 reviews

Ithaca, NY

Scenic

This park with a 150-foot waterfall also features ruins of 19th-century mills & areas for fishing.

1.6 miles away

Ithaca Falls Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,117 reviews

Ithaca, NY

ScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area featuring a short trail that leads to a waterfall.

1.7 miles away

Black Diamond Trail Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 12 reviews

Ithaca, NY

Scenic

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Ithaca, NY →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.