FLT Between Townline & Layen Rds and Comfort Rd, Town of Danby – Two Hikes
These two hikes cover the same section of the FLT, but from opposite directions
Hike # 1
Meet-up: corner of Town Line Road and Layen Road
Click here to see the Google Maps page showing the corner, and the directions and driving time from the library.
Digital and paper maps of the Finger Lakes Trail in this area are included on map sheet M17, available for purchase through the Finger Lakes Trail Conference at:
About Finger Lakes Trail Maps and GPS data
This hike starts and ends with a delightful scene. We walk along the edge of a huge field for 15-20 minutes each way – great views out over the inlet valley and into West Hill – and a beautiful expanse of grass stretching to the horizon.
In winter it can be windy and the path along the field can be piled high with drifted snow. In summer there are rolls of hay scattered about, fragrant grapes growing and apple trees brimming with fruit.
The terrain is extremely satisfying – a great example of how the natural landscape can create a mood
Most of the walk is in the woods – nothing spectacular but it’s very pleasing – some moderate ups and downs — and one brief but very steep slope that can be quite challenging, depending on conditions.
One curiosity – we pass a small old rock quarry beyond Bruce Hill Road – interesting place.
Portions of the woods that the Trail passes through have been recently logged.
The group usually reaches some open fields beyond Bruce Hill Rd that serve as a turn-around point for this out-and-back hike.
Hike # 2
Meet on Comfort Rd about 1 /4 mile South of Leib Rd, just before 924 Comfort Rd.
This Google pin is for 924 Comfort Rd is NOT the meeting location, but is the closest residence to the trailhead
Drive south on Comfort Rd to before # 924; here the FLT turns west into the woodline from Comfort Rd ( look for the normal yellow FLT trailhead sign opposite an open field ). Please do not block the farmers access to his field, in the interest of landowner relations.
This hike used to be in the groups standard hike rotation, but was dropped for a number of years due to hikers concerns about several muddy portions of the trail. The mud is significant enough in some areas of the trail that this hike should be limited to group hikes in the driest summer months or winter months where this FLT section is not subject to trail closures.
The outbound leg of this hike features a descent that is gradual enough that hikers don’t notice the grade until they have to turn around for the return leg of this out-and-back hike.
In addition to the mud there are some stream crossings that require careful navigation.
This hike of the FLT passes through some nice pine woods and along some meadows, and intersects some old logging roads; careful attention to blazes is required at various points along the trail.
This hike ends in the same fields that often serve as a turn around point for Hike # 1 that begins at Layen Rd
This entire section of trail for hike # 2 is subject to hunting season closures, so be sure to check the appropriate FLT map sheets available at the link above
and trail notices regarding current trail closures available at
Trail Condition Notices – Fingerlakes Trail Conference
Respect property owner rights and do not hike closed sections of trail.
Last Revised 08/2022 JFR