Book excerpt: Rich in Native American and Revolutionary War history, New York State’s Leatherstocking Country is a hiker’s paradise, blessed with a scenic rural landscape and abundant flora and fauna. Longtime central New York residents and avid hikers Bill and Eileen Bowers guide you through some of the best hiking opportunities in central New York, from the eastern shore of Lake Ontario and the Syracuse region to the Southern Tier, the northern Catskills, the Erie Canalway Trail, and much more. The hikes in this addition to in Countryman’s acclaimed Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes series range in length and difficulty from half-mile nature trails suitable for families with children to strenuous daylong treks across rough terrain. A “Hikes at a Glance” table makes it easy to choose hikes for every interest and ability level. Each hike description includes mile-by-mile directions, information on hiking time, mileage, and trail conditions, as well as knowledgeable commentary on the natural and human history you’ll encounter along the way.