A classic upstate New York foliage ride, this Y-shaped loop around Keuka Lake starts at the north end of the lake in Penn Yan (cyclists can also depart from the south end at Hammondsport). From Penn Yan, the route heads west on Route 54A before picking up the lakeside East Bluff Drive for a flat and rolling ride right along the water. In the fall, brilliant foliage line the bluffs on both side of the lake and shades the road itself.
Near the split of the Y (just past mile 12), the road transitions into a hard-to-ride, loose gravel frontage road for a mile. It’s advisable to walk this stretch (unless you have knobbies) until a foot path leads to a hard-packed dirt road and ultimately back to pavement on West Bluff Drive. Near the northwest end of the loop, the route runs through a closed-to-cars section of Keuka Lake State Park before jogging south on Route 54A. Stop for lunch in Hammondsport, before tracing the south side of the lake past more vineyards, bluffs and foliage for 21 miles back to Penn Yan.
-Mapped by Bill Chilton
TO TRAILHEAD: The ride begins at the intersection of NY 14A and NY 54A in Penn Yan, New York.
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Keuka Lake Loop
| Dist: 56.88 mi |
Points: 527 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Gravel Road
Location: 42.502953°, -77.132950°
East Bluff Drive transitions to gravel near the bottom of the Y loop. You may want to consider walking this mile-long stretch of the road unless you're riding knobbies or have expert confidence in your bike handling. © Bill Chilton
Riding North
Location: 42.609138°, -77.089949°
A group riding Keuka Lake counter-clockwise. © Bill Chilton
Finger Lakes
Location: 42.660537°, -77.056003°
© Bill Chilton
East Bluff Road
Location: 42.603263°, -77.091601°
Keuka from the trees: a common view of the lake from East Bluff Road. © Bill Chilton
Lake View
Location: 42.597513°, -77.092094°
© Bill Chilton
Dead End Sign
Location: 42.510482°, -77.122393°
Continue past the dead end sign on the frontage road, East Bluff Drive.
Walking the Gravel
Location: 42.501782°, -77.135525°
Loose gravel makes it tough to ride this mile-long stretch of East Bluff Drive. © Bill Chilton
Dirt Road
Location: 42.500944°, -77.140203°
The gravel soon transitions to hardpacked dirt. © Bill Chilton
Foot Path
Location: 42.501711°, -77.141066°
The road narrows to a foot path for about 150 yards before ending at the frontage road for the West Bluff Drive. © Bill Chilton
The West Side
Location: 42.502699°, -77.142456°
Looking West from West Bluff Drive. © Bill Chilton
Dirt Road
Location: 42.503617°, -77.142327°
Frontage road for West Bluff Road. © Bill Chilton
Back on Pavement
Location: 42.511210°, -77.142928°
The dirt road joins the paved West Bluff Drive. © Bill Chilton
Keuka Lake Gate
Location: 42.577529°, -77.137091°
At the intersection of West Bluff Drive and Bluff Drive, a gate blocks cars from entering Keuka Lake State Park. Bypass the gate to continue along the lake. © Bill Chilton
The High Road
Location: 42.578161°, -77.136061°
Bluff Drive climbs into the park at a pretty decent pitch. To add this detour into the loop, go right on Bluff Drive instead of bypassing the gate, and then turn left at Pepper Road to rejoin the route. © Bill Chilton
The Low Road
Location: 42.578730°, -77.136662°
West Bluff Drive continues north right along the lake. © Bill Chilton
Keuka Lake State Park
Location: 42.582095°, -77.135611°
© Bill Chilton
Stone Church
Location: 42.596250°, -77.152820°
© Bill Chilton
Uphill Detours
Location: 42.498396°, -77.159085°
Most roads that merge onto W. Lake Road climb steeply up the surrounding bluffs. It's easy to add a lot of climbing to this route by detouring off the lake. © Bill Chilton
Taylor Winery
Location: 42.456204°, -77.180157°
The old Taylor Family Winery. © Bill Chilton
Hammondsport
Location: 42.410031°, -77.221956°
If you didn't bring lunch with you, Hammondsport has a few shops and restaurants that will oblige. © Bill Chilton
Depot Park
Location: 42.410308°, -77.218480°
The south end of the lake in Hammondsport: Depot Park is great spot for a mid-ride picnic lunch. © Bill Chilton
Crooked Lake Ice Cream Parlor
Location: 42.409453°, -77.221785°
An antique bird's eye view of the lake taken from a surrounding hillside adorns the walls of Crooked Lake Ice Cream Parlor, a great spot for a mid-ride snack. © Bill Chilton
Route 54
Location: 42.425611°, -77.179642°
Route 54 has a bike-friendly shoulder. © Bill Chilton
Finger Lakes Grapes
Location: 42.448035°, -77.167110°
Vineyards can be found along the lake and on the hills surrounding the lake. © Bill Chilton
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