Beginner level XC riding. Some solid climbs but minimal technical terrain. Lots of mud during wet weather, lots of snow in the winter. Most of the trails are doubletrack. Very good XC skiing spot.

Mostly single track trails through the forest, up and down hills with rocks roots and some twists and turns to mix it up. Don't be deceived if at first you start the red trail and all looks smooth and flat, continue your ride and you will find some cool technical sections and of course, who can forget about the mud. I always come out covered head to toe! Have fun riding back up Hartnett Rd to your car!

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I've only ridden on the red trail system, but when the maps are available at the trail head, or you're just up for exploring, there are I believe at least two other color coded trails in Bear Swamp Forest.

This place is great for really fast down hills. Sure, you have to do your fair share of climbing, but it all pays off when you can just let gravity take over. In the summer time it is really wet. It holds rain for weeks on end and many trails are re-routed due to huge puddles(lakes). If you ride it when it is fairly dry is a speed demons dream. For the best time on these trails though, ride them right after a storm or even during a storm. Slip sliding around the down hill sections is great!

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Just pick one and go. All single track ends up on a fire road making it hard to get lost.

Maps are available at the registry.
The Bear Swamp is an excellent trail. It is possible to use single-track route downhill and jeep road on the way back (uphill). The trails are well marked and there's several to choose from.

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41A South of Skaneateles, past Mandana and New Hope.
Look for Colonial Lodge on left (if heading South).

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The trail might be at risk of closing to MTB due to horsemen. Good manners are advised to prevent this from happenning.

Fun on both climbs and downhills- new trail marking system this year is fantastic! Can ride for 2-3 hrs without ever retracing your route. ($2.40 cheeseburger in the Colonial Inn, and a couple of cold beers ends a day nicely!)

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All great- Y3 is especially fun on fat tires.

I rode the entire circuit of the yellow trail last night and had a blast. I agree with Bob about Y3, tearing through the forest downhill was awesome! twists, turns, rocks, bridges, roots, jumps, etc. The outside loop of the yellow trail is just under 5 miles. I can't wait to go back to hit the other trails!

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I parked in the area to the sound of the Yellow trails. It's not easy to find but it's right on the trail.

A entire day's worth of high quality, mostly single-track riding here with lots of roots and rocks to keep it interesting. It's hard to believe that 80 years ago, 75% of this stunning mixed forest was mismanaged farmland.

Because it hadn't rained in several days, most of trails were bone dry, but many parts were, well, swamp-like. Luckily, there were often detours around the mud if you didn't feel like dealing with it.

Four stars! (Would have gone five if there had been trail access to Skaneateles Lake).

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I parked near the Colonial Inn and started on the red trails and just continued heading downhill. The trails are extremely well-marked... pretty much impossible to get lost (don't forget to grab a map at the registration box).

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Trail off Kasson Road (Old Camillus Dump)

Nice trails, no real fast unnerving downhills. Anyone can ride there. The advanced riders will just be able to ride faster. Take the unmarked single tracks when you see them. They usually loop back to the trial you are turning off of anyway. A modest rider can ride the entire trail system (or at least any part of it that is worth riding) in about 4 hours.
There would most likely be a trail to Skaneateles Lake if there wasn't a cliff in the way!! And it was never mismanaged farmland. There isn't a farmer around there that would till that crap. Which is why it has remained a swamp. Sory, had to stick my opinion in as well :)

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Start of with the first red trail as a warm-up, them pick your way around, it's all a series of loops

i place this at four flamin stars because there is allways a better one out there(i think!!) This one is close though, i like it alot!! AND CNY wouldn't be the same without it, RESPECT THE TRAILS, RESPECT YOUR FELLOW MAN N KEEP IT REAL! see you on the trails.

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any and all! There is a little for everyone here sick single track nice uphills and great downhills no complaints. I do recomend picking up a map before heading in. could get lost quick without!!

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Splitrock, Kasson road trail, my own trail in Elbridge (nature trail), Skytop

NYS added drainage to the forest's trails a few years ago so they're nowhere near as wet as they once were -- drats! This is a real gem of an MTB forest and I've ridden it as my "home trail" since 1974 and I never get bored.
Beginners can ride the roads while more advanced cyclists can find lots of challenges on the singletrack. A must for any cyclist to check out.

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Doesn't matter - they're all great.

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Highland Forest, Morgan Hill, Stoney Pond, Connecticut Hill