Explore the best rated trails in Olean, NY. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Allegheny National Forest - Brush Hollow XC Ski Trail and Clarion-Little Toby Trail. With more than 23 trails covering 264 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Shawmut Trail begins in the southwest corner of the small, charming community of Smethport and continues southwest out of town along Marvin Creek. Along the way, views are a mix of woodlands,...
Located along the banks of Conewango Creek, the open 3-mile segment of this proposed 11-mile trail follows an old New York Central branch north from the city of Warren. Designed to serve primarily as...
A 3.8-mile section of northern Pennsylvania's Knox Kane Rail Trail opened in McKean County in 2018. The crushed-stone pathway runs through a largely forested corridor between Center Street in Mount...
The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk offers a 5-mile route through the southwestern New York community of Jamestown. The route includes a mixture of off-road trail, sidewalks (such as along Steele Street),...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
The towns of Allegany and Olean (OH-lee-an) sat at the hub of river, railroad, wagon road, and canal traffic during New York’s early history. It’s no wonder that today the area is home to a popular...
Deep within the Allegheny National Forest lies a rail-trail with a past. The Kinzua Valley Trail follows the route of the former Kinzua and Hemlock Railroad (later Valley Railroad) near the town of...
The West Creek Recreational Trail connects St. Marys and Emporium in a forested area of northern Pennsylvania known as elk country. The 19.5-mile trail follows the route of the Philadelphia and Erie...
The Blaisdell-Emery Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed between South Bradford and the borough of Lewis Run. This scenic trail parallels Tunungant Creek (locally called Tuna Creek) for part of the...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
This moderately difficult trail features great views of Minister Creek and passes by several outstanding rock outcropings, the latter about 1 mile from the trailhead parking lot. This heavily used...
The Marilla Bridges Trail provides a 1-mile loop around Marilla Reservoir in Bradford, not far from the Pennsylvania/New York border. The fine-crushed limestone trail offers a scenic trek through the...
The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk offers a 5-mile route through the southwestern New York community of Jamestown. The route includes a mixture of off-road trail, sidewalks (such as along Steele Street),...
The Clarion-Little Toby Trail lets you venture on the wild side for 18 miles as it traverses remote state hunting grounds adjoining the Allegheny National Forest. You’ll likely see deer and other...
This trail is not groomed. The trail is a combination of logging roads, railroad grades and pipelines that offer challenges to a wide range of skill levels. Trail is marked with blue diamonds.
The Genesee Valley Greenway rolls through towns and countless landscapes from Rochester south to Cuba, New York. The greenway is a work in progress, but there is a long, continuous segment (37 miles)...
This trail is not groomed. The three loops are suitable for beginners. The trail is marked with blue diamonds. Check out the short 1.2 mile Hearts Content Interpretive Trail which offers a scenic hike...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
The towns of Allegany and Olean (OH-lee-an) sat at the hub of river, railroad, wagon road, and canal traffic during New York’s early history. It’s no wonder that today the area is home to a popular...
The Shawmut Trail begins in the southwest corner of the small, charming community of Smethport and continues southwest out of town along Marvin Creek. Along the way, views are a mix of woodlands,...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
Located along the banks of Conewango Creek, the open 3-mile segment of this proposed 11-mile trail follows an old New York Central branch north from the city of Warren. Designed to serve primarily as...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
The Marilla Bridges Trail provides a 1-mile loop around Marilla Reservoir in Bradford, not far from the Pennsylvania/New York border. The fine-crushed limestone trail offers a scenic trek through the...
The Blaisdell-Emery Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed between South Bradford and the borough of Lewis Run. This scenic trail parallels Tunungant Creek (locally called Tuna Creek) for part of the...
hough it may only be 600 feet long, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is a special treat for history buffs and thrill seekers alike. Situated within Kinzua Bridge State Park in the township of Mt. Jewett, the...
A 3.8-mile section of northern Pennsylvania's Knox Kane Rail Trail opened in McKean County in 2018. The crushed-stone pathway runs through a largely forested corridor between Center Street in Mount...
This moderately difficult trail features great views of Minister Creek and passes by several outstanding rock outcropings, the latter about 1 mile from the trailhead parking lot. This heavily used...
Deep within the Allegheny National Forest lies a rail-trail with a past. The Kinzua Valley Trail follows the route of the former Kinzua and Hemlock Railroad (later Valley Railroad) near the town of...
The Mill Creek Trail serves as a connector between Twin Lakes Recreation Area and the Brush Hollow Trail. Just south of Forest Road 138, the Mill Creek Trail leaves the Twin Lakes Trail and heads...
The key word in describing the Pat McGee Trail in western New York is variety. The rail-trail rolls for more than 12 miles across the Allegheny Plateau between Cattaraugus and Salamanca, passing...
This trail is not groomed. Three stacked loops offer a variety of hiking and skiing opportunities at a range of difficulty levels. The trail starts out on a railroad grade along Big Mill Creek. This...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
hough it may only be 600 feet long, the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is a special treat for history buffs and thrill seekers alike. Situated within Kinzua Bridge State Park in the township of Mt. Jewett, the...
The Clarion-Little Toby Trail lets you venture on the wild side for 18 miles as it traverses remote state hunting grounds adjoining the Allegheny National Forest. You’ll likely see deer and other...
The Mill Creek Trail serves as a connector between Twin Lakes Recreation Area and the Brush Hollow Trail. Just south of Forest Road 138, the Mill Creek Trail leaves the Twin Lakes Trail and heads...
The West Creek Recreational Trail connects St. Marys and Emporium in a forested area of northern Pennsylvania known as elk country. The 19.5-mile trail follows the route of the Philadelphia and Erie...
The key word in describing the Pat McGee Trail in western New York is variety. The rail-trail rolls for more than 12 miles across the Allegheny Plateau between Cattaraugus and Salamanca, passing...
This trail is not groomed. Three stacked loops offer a variety of hiking and skiing opportunities at a range of difficulty levels. The trail starts out on a railroad grade along Big Mill Creek. This...
The Genesee Valley Greenway rolls through towns and countless landscapes from Rochester south to Cuba, New York. The greenway is a work in progress, but there is a long, continuous segment (37 miles)...
This trail passes through a variety of pleasing landscapes. The area near Crane Run is especially scenic. The trail is marked with white diamonds. The skill level of this trail is rated more...
Deep within the Allegheny National Forest lies a rail-trail with a past. The Kinzua Valley Trail follows the route of the former Kinzua and Hemlock Railroad (later Valley Railroad) near the town of...
The towns of Allegany and Olean (OH-lee-an) sat at the hub of river, railroad, wagon road, and canal traffic during New York’s early history. It’s no wonder that today the area is home to a popular...
The Greater Jamestown Riverwalk offers a 5-mile route through the southwestern New York community of Jamestown. The route includes a mixture of off-road trail, sidewalks (such as along Steele Street),...
The Shawmut Trail begins in the southwest corner of the small, charming community of Smethport and continues southwest out of town along Marvin Creek. Along the way, views are a mix of woodlands,...
A 3.8-mile section of northern Pennsylvania's Knox Kane Rail Trail opened in McKean County in 2018. The crushed-stone pathway runs through a largely forested corridor between Center Street in Mount...
This trail is not groomed. The three loops are suitable for beginners. The trail is marked with blue diamonds. Check out the short 1.2 mile Hearts Content Interpretive Trail which offers a scenic hike...
The Blaisdell-Emery Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed between South Bradford and the borough of Lewis Run. This scenic trail parallels Tunungant Creek (locally called Tuna Creek) for part of the...
The Marilla Bridges Trail provides a 1-mile loop around Marilla Reservoir in Bradford, not far from the Pennsylvania/New York border. The fine-crushed limestone trail offers a scenic trek through the...
The Marienville Bike Trail is part of a system of roads and trails in the Allegheny National Forest. The trails are open to mountain bikes, trail bikes, and ATVs and are rated as difficult because of...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
The Village of Springville in western New York is home to the first section of the proposed 27-mile corridor that will eventually be known as the Erie-Cattaraugus Rail Trail. Running 1.8 miles from...
We entered near Red Bridge, rode 6 miles to Westline and had friends pick us up because we got a late start and it was too hot for us to ride back. The views are so incredible. We loved the remote wilderness.
2nd time been here did the small loop. But was a great time.
This trail is great shape & well taken care of.
We started in St Mary's. We hadn't got on our bikes yet when 3 motorized vehicles came by. Farther east another 3 four wheelers came by. We noticed that these motorized vehicles were leaving evidence from spinning there's tires and sliding on t the first thee miles. After that as we proceeded east that evidence vanished. Nice trail but should not be used for motorized unless someone wantsto maintain the damage done.
Eventually this will be just the north end of a 74 mile trail. Can’t wait to see it completely surfaced on all 74 miles!!!
We hike, bike, and ski this trail often. What a great asset to the area!!! Wish the beavers and extreme weather events did not keep damaging sections though.
We rode the trail in 2 sections. We started in Emporium and rode to the route 120 crossing. It’s uphill going west but barely noticeable. Even though it parallels route 120 we saw an eagle, turkeys, and a coyote which ran out in front of us and ran up the trail a stretch. The trail is in excellent condition. The following day we rode the second half to St Mary’s. This was a very enjoyable section. It passes through state game lands. We had to walk around a tree across the trail too. There were some busy beavers that dropped trees at that section. I recommend this to everyone. It’s beautiful and everyone who helps maintain this gem needs to be applauded
I found this trail and since it was a wet Monday we gave it a try. We started at the lot by the dam. The trail consists of the park road that leads to the gravel trail. We started out on a steep uphill climb. I’m not in the best shape but managed to pull myself up the hill. The ride downhill was worth it. The trail passes through a picnic area and the gravel portion through marsh. We saw turkeys . There is an elk viewing pavilion at the end of the trail. On the way back the hill is long but not too steep. We got back to the parking lot I decided to ride down the dirt road about a quarter mile and glad I did. I chased out an immature bald eagle
I rode from St Marys to emporium and back. Uphill 600 ft on the return to St Marys but it saved me 40 miles of driving. I thought I made a mistake parking at the West Creek Wetlands Learning Center and riding 0.5 miles on unimproved rail bed to the real trail head parking but turned out the shady place I parked was best. First half to Emporium was remote but the last half was near the road. There were several history markers along the trail near Emporium about early industries like Hercules (explosives for the Panama Canal and WWII) and Sylvania to vacuum tubes. A Caboose was at the end of the trail and open to explore.
My husband and I biked this trail the 4th week in July 2018. On Monday we biked from Ridgway to the Croyland trailhead at mile 8.5, near Laurel Run and back. (total approx 17 miles). On Wednesday we biked from Brockway to the Croyland trailhead and back, (approx 19 total miles). The trail seems to have a slight downhill slope from Ridgway to Croyland, and also from Brockway to Croyland. We supposed this is because the Clarion (in the northern portion) flows south, and the Little Toby (in the southern portion) flows north. It is not noticeable until you turn around and go back, which takes more effort and a lower gear.
There are many signs along the trail noting "ghost towns" and former logging and mining sites, but not many ruins can be seen. Walking across the swinging bridge was a fun break. The railroad trestle in the northern portion is impressive.
At approximately mile 10 there was a truck parked on the trail, and a worker with a small backhoe was digging out the ditch along the trail. We had to maneuver around these vehicles, which were taking up the whole width of the trail. The equipment was making deep ruts in the trail. Hopefully these will be flattened and leveled out when the maintenance is completed.
We saw a lot of deer, chipmunks, and a wild turkey. The first day we passed 4 other bikers and a couple joggers near Ridgway. The 2nd day we saw nobody except the maintenance worker. The trail had some vegetation growing in the middle in some sections, but it wasn't a problem. Overall we thought the northern half was in better condition than the southern half. Also, the northern half has frequent benches along the trail. The southern half has one bench that we noticed.
This was fun to ride but not the most exciting rail trail that we have ridden.
Scenic trail. Easy riding. As of 7/7/18 trail is closed north of 305. I rode north from Black Creek crosses 305 to a shut down trail.
I did the 1-mile section in Cuba, NY and found it extremely bumpy. I searched for access points in Black Creek and Belfast and couldn't find them. Heading north, I couldn't find the access on Batzing Rd. the first time but found it the next day after getting used to the difficulty of finding this trail. Many access points don't have parking. York Landing does but you can only go a short distance north before a huge break in the trail.
In Piffard, I parked in an industrial lot across from Yard of Ale and rode a few miles south before encountering a closed gate with very high grass beyond.
Finally, I parked at an access point on Batzing Rd. and rode north hoping to get to Rochester but didn't see the sign for the detour at Ballantyne Rd. and continued to the train tracks. That section has a sign about the Black Creek culvert. Took the on-road detour but didn't make it to Rochester.
All in all, a very frustrating experience and rough riding. Parts of the trail are nice but on hot days there can be a lot of sun exposure. I liked the intersection of the trail with the Lehigh Valley trail between mile markers 12 and 13. There's a very nice bridge there that was the highlight of my ride and the remnants of a stone bridge.
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