The Trails at Sycamore Bridge

Quick Bits

Main Activities - Hike
Distance - ~1.5 miles of trails
Quiet - periodic road noise
Surface - grass/dirt, no tripping hazards
Elevation - flat
Pets - leash or no leash?
Address - 9241 State Route 38, Newark Valley, NY

In a Nutshell

Behind the historic Bement-Billings Farmstead Museum is this varied set of trails, boasting over two dozen types of trees and shrubs, the Owego Creek, and flat trails.

Location and Parking

More details

While many in the area know of the Bement-Billings Farmstead built in the 1790s and now run by the Newark Valley Historical Society, few people know of the adjacent trails, called the Trails at Sycamore Bridge. On the far right of the Farmstead buildings, you'll see a large sign and the bridge over the Owego Creek that is the start of the trails.

The Owego Creek runs north to south and flows into the Susquehanna River down in Owego. Once over the Creek, you'll see well marked trails that meander in several different loops with a few connectors. Along these trails, you'll see not only the Owego Creek but some other smaller streams and runoffs feeding into it. In spring and other rainy periods, parts of the trails will be muddy and may have standing water. Within the trails, you'll also find an active cornfield as well clearings that had been used as cornfields in the past. These mixed with wooded areas and shrubs leads to a nice variety of flora for various birds. There are also a number of well written signs explaining the various trees across the twenty acres. 

Between the Owego Creek on the east and railroad tracks on the west, the well marked trails, and the sound of vehicles on Route 38, it is very easy to stay oriented on these trails.

Links of Interest

• Newark Valley Historical Society - the Trails are part of the Bement-Billings Historical Farmstead

Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here