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It took me 50+ years and I finally saw the Eternal Flame in Western New York’s Chestnut Ridge! I grew up in the Buffalo area yet never saw the flame when I was a kid. I really don’t think it was a thing, or, it just wasn’t on my family’s radar. During a two-week visit in July, I finally made the trek, and it was as beautiful as I hoped.
A Short, Yet Steep Trail, Shade Trees and a Creek
The small flame, about 8” high, is believed to be thousands of years old. It burns in a grotto of the 35-foot Eternal Flame Falls and takes some effort to view it.
Annette, my friend from high school, joined me, and it was useful having her knowledge about the trail, although it’s been improved since her previous visit. New to her is the parking area, located just outside Chestnut Ridge Park, and an improved trail.
The trail is 1.12 miles roundtrip and difficulty is rated moderate. Thankfully, the trail was dry during this expedition. Since it’s a dirt trail, I can see how rain could cause muddy and slippery conditions, especially on the steps, although they are reinforced. There is an incline descending the trail and because it’s not a loop, you’ll need to climb up those steps to return to the parking area. It’s not super hard but does take some energy.
It’s a pretty, shaded trail and I loved looking up at the tall trees providing cover. Along the hike, I noticed a tree with a gorgeous and gnarly network of above-the-ground roots reaching out and greeting hikers.
The Eternal Flame Trail leads through Shale Creek and during my visit, there wasn’t much water flowing. But the rocks are slippery from what water was trickling so I took my time navigating over them. I’ve broken the same ankle twice in my lifetime, both times falling on slippery surfaces and I have no intention of doing it again.
After a rain, I can see how the creek level could rise and provide a wet crossing. Other obstacles include downed trees along the creek and a steep incline up to the flame. Despite these challenges, we saw several families with small children walking the trail. I didn’t fall, so it was a successful journey!
Dancing Fire and Rushing Water
Reaching the base of the falls, I spied the mesmerizing orange glow flickering behind the rushing water. The vibrant flame popped against the layered dark shale, making it easy to spot. A photographer was perched on a landing in front and to the right of the dancing flame. I eventually scaled the slope to snap a few photos of my own.
What’s fascinating is how did someone know there was gas seeping in this nook behind the waterfalls and how did they know to light it? I may never know the answer to that question. Something to pack on your hike to the Eternal Flame is a lighter. I read it’s often out but easy to relight. Being a summer Saturday, the flame was dancing. I don’t know for how long before our arrival, maybe weeks, maybe hours. All I knew, the burden of scaling the waterfall and using my Bic Multipurpose Lighter to relight the flame was no longer an issue. Thank goodness!
After seeing the flame, other than relishing in knowing this natural wonder has been around for thousands of years and will most likely outlive you, and snapping photos including selfies, there isn’t much else to do, except gaze into the orange glow. Being a s’mores fan, roasting marshmallows crossed my mind, but that would not be appropriate. Although, I saw at least one YouTuber has.
As we admired the flame, more hikers gathered around for their photos and selfies. It was our cue to head back to the trailhead for our next adventure.
Off Roading Didn’t Go So Well
Speaking of adventures, let me share what happened on the way to the Eternal Flame. About a month prior to driving up to New York from Southwest Florida, I bought a new-to-me car, a 2020 Chevy Equinox. I had hoped my 2014 GMC Terrain would make it to 250,000 miles but after dumping in more money than I should have, it finally gave out after 244,000+ miles.
Fast forward to the Eternal Flame trip. About 15 minutes away, my low tire pressure light came on and I casually mentioned it to Annette. Long story short, we were in a rural area with lots of open spaces but not many to pull over. I carry a tire inflator (like this tire inflator) with me and wanted to inflate the tire. Having just passed a golf course, I decided to do a three-point turn and after completing the second point, I noticed a car coming towards me. In the middle of nowhere, what were the chances?
Rather than quickly backing up to complete the turn, I decided to keep moving forward. Into a ditch. Well, I underestimated how steep the ditch was. To me, it felt like being in a swamp buggy – the sensation of tipping over but knowing it won’t tip over. My traveling companion, meanwhile, kept repeating, “we’re going to tip over, we’re going to tip over.”
I was confident if I was in my Terrain, it wouldn’t tip over. Since this was a new-to-me car and I wasn’t sure of all its capabilities, I envisioned the car tipping over and wondered how I’d explain to the insurance company what happened. Quickly, I threw the car in reverse, straightened out the wheel, and backed out of the ditch and onto the road. There was tugging and scraping happening under the bumper on the passenger’s side.
This all happened in a matter of seconds, and all sorts of thoughts raced through my mind. As for the other car, well, I’m sure they enjoyed the show. By this time, they had slowed down, watched, and asked if we needed help. Having AAA, I politely declined, and they went on their way.
I inspected the damage to the bumper, pulled out some grass, popped into place what I could, and decided to carry on with the day. Annette asked if I wanted to head back to my parents’ house or take it to a dealer for repairs.
Nope. I had waited more than five decades to see the Eternal Flame. We were not turning back.
Well, technically, we did turn back to the golf course, where I looked for my tire inflator but didn’t find it. We drove to the nearest gas station, which was a bit out of the way, inflated my tire, and continued on. That Monday, I visited a collision shop for an estimate. They couldn’t guarantee the work would be done by my planned return home.
“Can it make it to Florida?” I asked.
“Well, you can zip tie the bumper up and it should make it,” was the response.
So, that’s what I did. After returning to Florida, I waited about 45 days before having the bumper repaired. I paid out-of-pocket to keep insurance out and avoid a premium increase. The last and only time I had a car accident was in 2001. Ugh!
I sincerely believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps that episode prevented a major accident or trail mishap. Or it was simply a reminder to drive with caution. Whatever the reason, it gave me another story to tell and experience to remember.
Nuts & Bolts About Visiting Western New York’s Eternal Flame
Eternal Flame in Chestnut Ridge
6726 Chestnut Ridge Rd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
- Chestnut Ridge is an Erie County park and admission and parking is free.
- Main parking is located just outside the park.
- Stay on the trail and do not climb the ravine or waterfall.
- Trail length: .56 miles one-way, 1.12 miles roundtrip.
- Wear sturdy shoes and check the weather before hiking.
- Leashed dogs are permitted.
- Find a map of the Eternal Flame Trail on the Chestnut Ridge website.
- Park Hours
- Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Winter (Labor Day to Memorial Day): 7 a.m. – Sunset
Where to Eat After Hiking the Eternal Flame Trail
After the hike to the Eternal Flame, we ate a very Buffalo-like lunch, wings and beef-on-weck pizza at Bar-Bill Tavern (185 Main St., East Aurora, N.Y. 14052). The eatery is about a 15-minute drive from the trailhead and part of the Buffalo Wing Trail. Each wing is hand-brushed with saucy goodness and its own masterpiece.
The pizza was a nod to another Nickle City fave, the beef-on-weck sandwich. The pizza has a creamy horseradish sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, slow-roasted sliced beef, and kummelweck seasoning (caraway seeds and coarse salt.)
Afterwards, we walked down to Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream (431 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052). for a sweet, cool dessert. Available flavors change with the season, more reason to visit often!
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