Beautiful Hikes in WNY - The Eternal Flame.

Not many people know this, even in WNY, but right here in my backyard, we host one of the most beautiful natural phenomena, an Eternal Flame. It is quite rare to find, and I suggest you take a look.

The Eternal Flame is located in Chestnut Ridge Park, and is about a two mile distance from the trail head. The trail head is marked well, and the trail is blazed with a small flame symbol. The trail takes you around a gorge, and down into a stream. Once you reach the stream, you will hike up to a waterfall. Within the water fall is a small grotto where the flame can be seen (on some days, with high wind or lots of rainfall the flame can be extinguished - so bring a lighter just in case)

Around you is a faint smell of gas, this is due to the natural gas seeping through the shale and at the point in the grotto, there is so much it has been set aflame. It has been said to have been burning for hundreds of years and has seen no sign of exhausting.

This is a well hiked area and the trails are very well marked. There are many ups and downs, and they can be steep. Also, a large portion of the hike is in a creek bed. Very young children and seniors need to take extra caution - however, it shouldn't stop most people.