Havana Glen Park – Eagle Cliff Falls – Montour Falls

Famous for Eagle Cliff Falls, this location actually holds over a dozen smaller waterfalls and cascades!

Eagle Cliff Falls is one of the few waterfalls in the state that flows between two vertical walls of rock, straight into a pool below. The basin this waterfall is situated in is quite large, but the shallow pool can encompass the entirety, making it almost impossible not to get your feet wet.

Entering the park, you will pass a very small building, just big enough for a person to sign in. Leave a donation there before proceeding. Parking is beyond this point and generally, there are not a large number of people visiting at any given time. This makes it easy to enjoy the waterfall all to yourself (usually).

After parking, you will walk across a small grassy field to a set of stair next o a creek. Follow upstream, paying mind to the slippery conditions of the trail. There are some steep steps as well, so plan ahead if you have small children with you.

Overall, this spot should not disappoint. Even with a small flow over the falls, the hike and area are always worth the visit.

This location has been written about extensively in the past. Below is an excerpt from a resource that claims the location and descriptions of many of the waterfalls/cascades:

‘There are several natural curiosities in the vicinity of Havana (Montour Falls)…Havana Falls is a beautiful cascade a short distance west of the village. It is a small stream that pours its waters into the inlet of Seneca Lake. But the chief object of interest and one that should be seen to be appreciated is McClure’s Glen [aka Havana Glen], a beautiful ravine worn into the rocks by the action of the water which for ages has been pouring into the basin of Seneca Lake. Until recently, the beauty and sublimity of the Glen were hidden….The Glen was first made accessible to the public in the summer of 1867, by the construction of walks and the erection of bridges and stairways through its rugged and winding way. In the entrance is a beautiful grove for picnic parties…the Free Masons held a grand picnic there on 18 Sept. 1867 and there were 5,000 – 10,000 in attendance. As we enter [Havana] Glen, the Portal Cascade first appears in view. Here the water of McClure’s Creek makes its final plunge into the basin of Seneca Lake. Passing along the narrow path we will next take our stand upon Sylvan Bridge that spans the stream above the first falls…Eagle Cliff Falls appear in view, highest in the Glen, falling 50 feet. The cliffs tower over the summit of the falls 100 feet. Ascending the stairs, the “Pride of the Senecas” opens to view; it is the 2nd subdivision of Havana Glen. Here are found “Curtain Cascade” and “Central Gorge”. Also, are found Hermit’s Cove and Whispering Falls as we pass along “Glen Chaos” with its jumble of broken rock. Also here are the “Glen of the Falls” and “Echo Falls”, “Fairies’ Cascade” and “Summit Falls”. Seneca Lake is visible at the top.’ – Source

Waterfall Name: Eagle Cliff Falls
Alternative Name(s): n/a
Phone: …..
Website: …..

Classification: Analysis in Progress
Height: 40′ /Rapids below
Crest: 14′
Access/Location Classification: Accessible/May not be verified

Waterway: Mitchell Hollow Creek
Cave/Forest/Preserve Name: Havana Glen Park
Clove/Gulch/Valley/Glen: Havana Glen/McClure’s Glen
Gorge/Hollow/Gulf/Gully/Ravine/Chasm: n/a
Lat/Long: 42.33481, -76.8286
Altitude (Appx Meters): 173.8

Town: Montour, Town of
County: Schuyler
NYS Tourism Region: Finger Lakes-Wine Country
NYS Tourism: https://esd.ny.gov/industries/tourism
NYDEC Region: Western Finger Lakes
NYDEC Contact: https://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html

Parking: 42.335851, -76.829494
Parking Notes: …..
Trail head: 42.33578, -76.82941
Trail Notes: Havana Glen
We are in the process of collecting trails via www.WikiLoc.com, which we will make available in the near future. “Analysis In Progress”, “TBD”, and empty fields denote information currently being collected.

SOURCES –
Originator: www.yellowecho.com
Source 2: www.bobbieswaterfalls.net
Source 3: Steve Young
Source 4: 200 Waterfalls (paperback)