Ithaca is known for many things, including gorges, gardens, woodland trails and architecture. Freshman year can be a dizzying blur of parties, exams and new friendships, but it can be a smart idea to take a couple Saturdays to get to know the town in which you’ll be spending the next four years.

A day hike is the perfect way to truly experience Ithaca and Cornell. Grab a pair of comfortable, broken in sneakers and set aside five or six hours to explore your new home! Here’s a neat walk to get you started, taking you down into Ithaca and some of its prime public spaces, as well as through the famous gorges: Cascadilla and Fall Creek.