Cornwall Preserve – Anne's Travels

A monarch butterfly on red clover in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — A monarch butterfly on red clover in the Cornwall Preserve

Last summer, I had the great opportunity to take a spontaneous hike. Actually, we planned it about 10 minutes before we left, so it wasn’t completely spontaneous. While bicycling on a scenic but not-quite-local road, we’d run across a sign for the Cornwall Preserve. We’d taken our bikes through part of the preserve (I’ve since read that bikes aren’t allowed – oops!), but schedules and the not-quite-bike-friendly nature of one of the trails made us want to go back in the middle of August to explore it in more depth. It turns out that the Cornwall Preserve in August is beautiful. There are so many wildflowers, butterflies, views across Lake Ontario, and more! (Note: The Cornwall Preserve is closed on Wednesdays, so plan accordingly.)

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 1.6-2.1 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Gain: 149ft. Pets: Leashed Fees: None

A black eyed susan near the parking area for the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — A black eyed susan near the parking area

The closest town to the Cornwall Preserve is Pultneyville, New York. It’s a charming little village with a yacht club and (if you listen to my six-year-old self) the awesome B. Forman Park (a northern terminus of the Underground Railroad). B. Forman is definite better than the Cornwall Preserve for a picnic and to scramble down to the shore of Lake Ontario, but the Cornwall Preserve has B. Forman Park beat for hiking.

Views from the Lake Bluff Trail, Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Views from the Lake Bluff Trail

The parking area is small but should be adequate most of the time (do not park in the nearby Lakeview Cemetery). There are several signs at the trailhead, and since at this point there’s only one trail, it’s not hard to tell which way to go. This section is called the Cass Meadow Trail.

The Cornwall Preserve Trailhead, Williamson, New York — The Cornwall Preserve Trailhead

The trail (mown) wanders through tall grass. I’m guessing the field must be mowed at some time – otherwise it would grow in! But it seems to be left wild for the summer season.

The Cass Meadow Trail in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — The Cass Meadow Trail

There were quite a few wildflowers. I had so much fun taking photos of them! There are also occasional benches on which to rest.

Spotted knapweed and a bumblebee in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Spotted knapweed and a bumblebee

After about a quarter mile, pass the Throop Trail on the right. We didn’t explore it, but I hear it winds about 0.2 miles through woods and swamps to meet up with the Lake Bluff Trail further east.

Almost to the Lake Bluff Trail, Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Almost to the Lake Bluff Trail

About mile 0.3, the Cass Meadow Trail ends at the Lake Bluff Trail. We had gone right the time before; the trail takes you out to the end of Hamilton Street Extension. I hear this is a public road, but it looked very much like a private marina to me. So this time, we turned left (west) on the Lake Bluff Trail following the sign for the Woods Trail.

Spotted knapweed above Lake Ontario, Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Spotted knapweed above Lake Ontario

The Lake Bluff Trail takes you on the bluff over Lake Ontario (self-explanatory, but there you have it!) There are several reasonable or even quite good views out to the lake. An official viewpoint is just before you enter the woods. I didn’t think this was the best view on the trail, but it does show the lake.

Lake Ontario from the official viewpoint in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Lake Ontario from the official viewpoint

About a half a mile from the trailhead, a road/trail goes off on the left. This would take you to the cemetery. You want to continue straight along the bluff of the lake. Note that there is no access to the lake from the Cornwall Preserve.

A common evening primrose along the Lake Bluff Trail in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — A common evening primrose along the Lake Bluff Trail

The trail enters the woods about mile 0.6. This is the official end of the Lake Bluff Trail and the official beginning of the Woods Trail. It’s a bit rougher walking than in the fields – more hills to hike and more roots to avoid. But it’s a relief to be out of the sun and into the shady forest.

The sun behind a beech tree along the Woods Trail in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — The sun behind a beech tree

I also found some possibly historical junk in the forest. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing special, but it was a fun find.

"Historical junk" along the Woods Trail, Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — “Historical junk” in the forest

The trail winds for about 0.3 miles before a loop at the end. This is the end of the trail; please do not go on into the adjoining orchard. Retrace your steps back to the parking area.

Fungus on a tree in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Fungus on a tree

We only walked about 1.6 miles between the three trails we traveled on, but it was a nice little easy trek for a Sunday afternoon. I also photographed at least 13 different types of wildflowers. On our way home, we stopped at Orbaker’s Farm Market for fresh peaches – the best!

A purple flower. I haven't been able to identify it, though there were many in the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — A purple flower. I haven’t been able to identify it, though there were many in the preserve

Round Trip Trail Length: The Cass’s Meadow Trailhead to the end of the Woods Trail and back was 1.6 miles. You could tack on another half a mile by walking the rest of the Lake Bluff Trail and/or Throop Trail and back.

Elevation Gain: 149ft. (285ft. to 261ft.)

Facilities: None

Fees: None

Grasses against the sky, Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Grasses against the sky

Trail Notes: Don’t visit on a Wednesday, as the park is closed that day to allow the local farmers privacy while working in their orchards. Speaking of the orchards, they’re private property. Please respect the owners and stay in the preserve. Motorized vehicles, bicycles (oops!), camping, fires, swimming, firearms, and cutting plants/trees are all prohibited. Do not park in the cemetery. The area is owned by the Genesee Valley Land Trust.

Common toadflax, also known as "butter and eggs" at the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Common toadflax, also known as “butter and eggs”

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Eastern daisy fleabane at the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Eastern daisy fleabane

GPS Coordinates for the Cornwall Preserve

Trailhead (Cass Meadow Trail): 43.279680, -77.192157 (43°16.78080′, -077°11.52942’/ 43°16’46.8480″, -077°11’31.7652″) (286ft.) (0.0)

Throop Trail Junction: 43.282895, -77.191453 (43°16.97370′, -077°11.48718′ / 43°16’58.4220″, -077°11’29.2308″) (266ft.) (0.2)

Lake Bluff Trail Junction: 43.283993, -77.192282 (43°17.03958′, -077°11.53692′ / 43°17’02.3748″, -077°11’32.2152″) (279ft.) (0.35)

Lake Bluff Trail/Woods Trail Junction: 43.282457, -77.196176 (43°16.94742′, -077°11.77056′ / 43°16’56.8452″, -077°11’46.2336″) (281ft.) (0.5)

Approximate furthest point on the Woods Trail: 43.281990, -77.199949 (43°16.91940′, -077°11.99694′ / 43°16’55.1640″, -077°11’59.8164″) (269ft.) (0.8)

Anise-scented goldenrod (I think) at the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Anise-scented goldenrod (I think)

The gpx file for my hike in the Cornwall Preserve can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 7.8 KB Downloaded 84 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Common St. John's Wort at the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Common St. John’s Wort

Getting to the Cornwall Preserve

From the town of Williamson on NY-104, turn north onto Lake Avenue. After 2.8 miles, turn left onto Hamilton Street. A half a mile later, turn left (again!) onto Lake Road. The Cornwall Preserve is a small parking area with a split-rail fence on the right after 0.3 miles.

Grasses against the sky at the Cornwall Preserve, Williamson, New York — Grasses against the sky

If you’re coming from the east and don’t want to overshoot, I’d recommend taking Lake Road. It’s such a pretty drive. But if you want to come from NY-104, drive north on Fisher Road (about 6 miles east of the Monroe County/Wayne County line). Drive north 3.2 miles on Fisher Road until the road T’s into Lake Road. Turn right and drive 3.1 miles to the Cornwall Preserve, on the left, marked by a split-rail fence.

Visual trail map and elevation profile for my hike in the Cornwall Preserve

Zoom map out to browse nearby hikes & places of interest

This Week’s Featured Product!

Easy hikes with varied scenery and environments can be found in this guide. 20+ hikes are detailed, from rails-to-trails to forested strolls to walks along the Genesee River. Buy your copy here!