The Eternal Flame Trail, Chestnut Ridge Park

November 2023

Address: I used Google Maps to: Eternal Flame Hiking Trailhead Parking, Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park, NY

Parking: Gravel, Room for 50+ vehicles

45 degrees at 11:15 AM - 12:15PM, sunny

Portable toilet at the parking lot. Restrooms are back at the main parking lot and building for Chestnut Ridge Park.

Parking and entrance to the trail is free.

Dogs on leads were allowed and Wesley was so happy because walks that involve water are his favorite! We passed many other people who had dogs with them who obviously felt the same way. I am glad Wesley listened to me about not running or lunging because he could have easily pulled me down on the slippery rocks as I approached the flame.

The walk is listed as .56 miles there and .56 miles back. The walk to the flame is mostly downhill. The walk back to the parking area is mostly uphill. This hike has been on my list for years and when I saw posts that the trail had been upgraded with steps, I wanted to check it out. A number of scheduling and weather challenges later, I decided on a spur-of-the-moment hike. A friend was able to meet me there and we enjoyed the hike. The steps are a great improvement where I remember slippery, tricky footing on a slope with tree roots. The height of the new steps make for a great work out on the way back up. I have only been to the flame three times and this natural phenomenon is pretty amazing. I brought a lighter with me just in case the flame had gone out but it was burning merrily when we arrived. Each of the three times I was at this place, I was with different people, at a different time of year, and in a different stage of my life; it seems fitting that I visited it this fall. Whether winter, summer, or fall, this is a beautiful and special place. This hike and watching Wesley enjoy the creek so much was just what I needed this month, and I am so glad I was finally able to get here. The sunshine was an extra treat for the day.

The trail is mostly natural except where the new steps were put in.

Many other people must have looked at today's forecast and had the same thought I did because there were many people on the trail but when we arrived at the flame, we were able to take a photo break for a minute without feeling rushed by the next folks behind us.

The trail is mostly shaded by the trees and the ravine walls even at this time of year when most of the leaves have fallen.

I did not see any trash.

Mosquitos did not bother me.

This is an area where shorts in warmer weather would not be a problem if you stay on the trail.

I saw goldenrod and many tree species, including oak and beech.

Other trail visited in this park: https://sites.google.com/d/1_E-WJ9nnm8eOjDlOdDQDh4HT5XqbFIe4/p/1pZlqU2_M1mgZ5zgYt1O7wKvXB01Xmig5/edit

For more information: https://www3.erie.gov/parks/chestnut-ridge

Map: https://www3.erie.gov/gis/sites/www3.erie.gov.gis/files/2021-07/eternal-flametrail-map_11x17.pdf

Nearby:

JP Fitzgerald's