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The Catharine Valley Trail is a 14-mile multiuse pathway that provides a comfortable and shaded trail experience through Upstate New York. The rail-trail runs between Seneca Harbor Park in Watkins Glen and Mark Twain State Park in Horseheads. High points include the historical town of Montour Falls, with its incredible downtown vista featuring several striking civic buildings complemented by a waterfall backdrop, and the scenic views as the trail enters the Watkins Glen marina.
About the Route
From the northern outskirts of Horseheads, the trail heads north though Pine Valley, Millport, Montour Falls, and downtown Watkins Glen. The majority of the trail is wooded, with a solidly packed crushed-limestone surface. There are a few sections in Montour Falls and in Watkins Glen where the route utilizes sidewalks and runs alongside roadways. Exercise caution and be mindful of vehicle traffic, particularly between Seneca Harbor Park and Fairgrounds Lane in Watkins Glen, and along N Genesee Street, West Main Street, Montour Street and Cook Street in Montour Falls.
From its southern end on Huck Finn Road, the trail is screened from the roadway by trees and brush as it heads north, paralleling Route 14. In about 3 miles, the route crosses the roadway on a pedestrian bridge and continue through the forest canopy and peaceful environs. A half mile after the bridge, the trail reaches Morris Hill Road and traverse Millport.
The route utilizes village streets through Montour Falls, where there are trailheads at South Genesee Street and Cook Street. After leaving Montour Falls, the trail skirts the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area. There are two restrooms spaced out along the trail and quite a few historical landmarks.
In Watkins Glen, turn west on Fairgrounds Lane and then north on Decatur Street. Continue following the roadway to the marina, which offers excellent views of beautiful Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen is the perfect ending to the trail journey. It's a lovely town and very walkable, with a harborside restaurant and many shops to browse.
Other nearby attractions include Watkins Glen State Park, which has spectacular waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and a variety of recreational opportunities.
Trail History
The Catharine Valley Trail follows segments of the former Northern Central Railway and Chemung Canal towpath.
The Catharine Valley Trail runs between N Decatur St (Watkins Glen) and Huck Finn Rd (Horseheads), both of which offer parking.
Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Enjoyed it - very shady and currently a lot of leaves down on much of the trail but a nice gravel ride. Some sections the trail was 1 ft wide and others 12 ft wide, some finely crushed cinder and some even grassy. Is a rail trail with gradual climb going south and a couple of fun little hills/bumps. Signage is a little confusing - we took the road one direction but found the trail coming back. Does require a couple of on road sections.
We biked the trail and it was a beautiful day to get out and ride. The trail was in great shape. There were several benches all along the trail to stop and take a break if needed. The leaves were just starting to turn colors and fall off the trees. We saw a few other people on the trail, walking, biking and enjoying the day.
Trail is a great ride with a slight increasing grade heading south. Majority of the trail is well shaded from a tree canopy. Trail surface is stable and smooth. Trail markers are pathetic! Extremely lacking heading south and somewhat (not enough)improved heading north.
We found signage to be somewhat lacking and a single track at certain parts. Could be better with some grooming.
Great trail...well marked and fun ride. Bathroom services along the way and places to eat between Montour and Pine Vally.
Reading prior reviews almost crossed this trail off our "to do" list, but so glad we didn't. First of all, this is NOT a flat rail trail, which is good if you are looking for a little more of a challenging ride that's not just another rail trail. There is 650' elevation gain over the 14 miles from Watkins Glen to EK Birding Trail parking lot just south of Pine Valley which is currently the southernmost parking area for the trail we found as of 7/2023.
Surfaces range from rough and smooth gravel to dirt/grass to asphalt trail and roads. Much of the trail is shaded and in the woods and while not groomed, nothing was overgrown.
Plenty of places to stop for water or a snack/meal along the way. There was also a bike repair stand on the trail by the Post Office in Millport just before the pedestrian bridge over Route 14. Hardly any other bikes on the trail and only a few walkers which was surprising for such a beautiful sunny and not too hot July Saturday afternoon.
There are a few sections on the southern end close to heavily traveled and noisy Route 14. Still don't miss the southern section if you like a little non-technical single and double track through the woods and a covered pedestrian bridge which goes over Route 14.
Just south of Watkins Glen you go through the quaint town of Montour Falls where you can visit the unique Shequaga Falls Park just off the trail on South Genesee Street. Once you leave Montour Falls you'll go through the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area and past several marinas on the run into Watkins Glen.
Last 1-2 miles of northern section of the trail is through the town of Watkins Glen to get to the beautiful marina at the southern end of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen has lots of shops and restaurants including a harbor side brew pub and eatery where you can sit on the wharf and sip craft beers and watch sailboats on the lake.
Only complaint is trail is not well-marked, but if you use Traillink App trail map you can use the your location feature to get you back on track quickly. We did not experience any dead cellphone service areas on our trip.
Is this trail for everyone? Depends, since whatever you ride it's what you choose to make of it. If you are looking for a more social ride with less challenging terrain start your trip from Watkins Glen since wherever you decide to turn around it's all downhill back to the marina. Either way it's worth checking out this trail for yourself!
From the beginning we got after a mile or so. Lacking in signage and painted bike markings on the road. We gave up after a few miles after getting lost a few times .
Some beautiful parts of the trail. However, in many places the trail is poorly marked and the southern end (3-4 miles), requires some technical skill. It’s probably fine for hiking. Stick with the northern portion, e.g., Watkins Glen or Montour Falls for about 8 miles south.
I rode the length of the Catharine Valley Trail in both directions. It's a very average trail. It's basically a crushed stone surface through the woods without anything to distinguish it from a thousand other trails. Signage is fair - there are a few places where a sign indicating the direction to the trail would have been helpful, but after fumbling around for a couple minutes you can figure it out. Portions of the trail follow Rt. 14, so there's a fair amount of traffic noise. There are a few points of interest in Watkins Glen and Montour Falls at the far north end, but other than that, there's really nothing else to see when you're on the trail. I would not recommend making this a "destination" trail - it's really not worth it. I would only suggest using it if you intend to bike from Watkins Glen down to Horseheads or Elmira. The trail allows you to avoid Rt. 14, which, although a designated New York State bike route with ample shoulders, has heavy high-speed traffic.
Great ride and well maintained trail. Pack sandwich as there are number of spots on the way. Waterfall is the hidden gem!
Road this trail as an out-and-back on 5/17/22 starting at the southern trailhead (not shown on TrailLink but it was added to Google Maps) that shares a parking area with the Ek Birding Trail on Huck Finn Road. The first mile or so north is a bit rough buy fully ridable. This is a great trail for anything other than a road bike with access to multiple waterfalls along the way, especially the northern part, and beautiful Watkins Glen State Park on the northern end.
We rode ebikes from Montour to Watkins Glen school area. Pretty ride, well maintained.
Good ride.
We did the whole trail on our electric bikes. Never passed anyone. Bring along a lunch, great spots to stop.
Great trail. Started in Watkins Glen and rode south to the very end, past where trail ends on the app. Last section pretty rough, so you won’t miss much if you don’t do it.
Very nice bike trail, but poor signage thru Montour Falls. To make it easy: if you are facing the Falls on Genesee St, go left about 6 blocks to Cook. Turn left on Cook and just beyond the city’s DPW site is the trailhead south to Millport. The sign is not seen as you come down the street and we actually went right by it the first time, but it is on the right immediately past the DPW site. The route to Millport is beautiful so it is a shame to miss it when you can’t find the trailhead. It is gradually uphill to Millport so it makes for a very nice ride back. Hope this helps!
Nice smooth trail. Park in marina area at Seneca Lake and follow signs. We might have missed a sign and ended up at Fairground road. Turn left and trail was about 100 yards away. Loved it.
Trail was nice, but needed more signage in Montour Falls to get back on the trail.. Started at Watkins and rode to the domes. It is a steady climb almost all the way. I would recommend starting at the domes and going into Watkins, that way it is an easier ride. Nice to ride in the shade!!
Nice trail, well maintained and peacefull. Parked a vehicle on the Huck Finn Rd. Traveled to Watkins Glenn (Clute Park) you can also park at the High School. The trail overall needs more signs. The trail once you leave Montour Falls, its an incline most of the trail to our end point. Suggest riding from Huck Finn Rd to Watkins, or ride from Watkins and decide when to ride back.
We rode round trip from Watkins Glen to about 3/4 of the way to Millport. The signs in Watkins glen could've been better, and I'm not sure why they start you at the marina, other than the parking. The signs rightly point you down Decatur St, but the one to turn left onto Clarence is missing (I can see it on Google maps). Didn't see any near the High School either. Otherwise the surface is well maintained and you're mostly under a shady canopy of trees.
Rode the section between Montour Falls and Millport (4miles one way). From Montour Falls to Millport was uphill the entire way (guessing a 2 -3% grade?) So if you are a leisure rider and prefer flatter trails - or downhill, you will want to start at Millport and ride to Montour (and hopefully have a car or ride waiting for you :-) scenery is beautiful and entirely shaded!
Good trail... we started from a parking lot near the lake. The signs early could be a little clearer. One might consider starting at Watkins Glen HS. Some of stretches were absolutely great. Forest canopy was really nice. We were nearing the end of the trail when the weather abruptly changed not for the better. All in all a very enjoyable ride. A
Trail was repaired from the last storm.
We love biking this trail. For us biking 1/3 of the entire trail is more do-able. Some areas are shady and cooler. Great smooth surface to bike on. A few Port-a- potty’s along the trail. Highly recommend!
In late July 2019 the trail was in fine shape from Watkins Glen to Millport, which is as far as we went.
Way exceeded my expectations! A very beautiful ride. Well maintained. And the free pumpkins along the way we’re a very nice touch. My only complaint is the lack of parking at the end of the trail near Horseheads. Can’t wait to go again. Thank you for everyone’s hard work in making this trail possible.
After the August storms, the middle 4-mile section is closed. You can work around it on 14 and jump back on, but better to call and check first. The first and last sections were great and I hope to be back when the trail reopens.
Parked at the Millport parking lot and rode just past Montour Falls and back. Around 18 miles and most of it is on a covered, well maintained trail - only a few spots where you have to cross roads. I can’t wait to ride it again when I’m in the area!
Began in Watkins Glen. Rather than riding through town which is very crowded during the summer especially holiday weekends and race weekends, I parked at Watkins Glen High School where the trail runs right next to one of their parking lots. School is closed and the only other cars had bike racks on them also. It is a GREAT trail and you will love it but let me give you some pointers. The trail is NOT well marked. I made two errors and would have made more if I hadnt asked directions. The trail twice puts you onto city roads with no signs which way to go, in each case go left and look for signs. The trail is almost exclusively uphill from Watkins with a very long but gradual grade. Great ride, lots of shade, saw deer in my path and many small critters. Very few people. The end is not marked at all just turns to heavy stone and grass.
This was the first rail trail that I've covered, the first of many that I plan on doing. As many others did, I parked at the Millport post office and rode from south to north on this wonderful 12-mile long trail system, spending some time enjoying the views of Seneca Lake and downtown Watkins Glen. However, I would strongly recommend to first-time riders, or riders that are not used to doing a 25-mile loop ride all in one day - START AT WATKINS GLEN and work your way south to Millport. The reason I recommend this is because it would probably be a whole lot easier riding UP the 2% grade the whole way from Watkins Glen to Millport while you're still fresh. Once you make it to Millport and turn around to return to Watkin's Glen, it's mostly downhill the whole way and you can easily pedal along at whatever pace you're comfortable with. As stated, I made the mistake of starting from Millport, which was great for an easy ride the 12 miles to Watkins Glen, but after riding 12+ miles into and around Watkins Glen, I was pretty much spent for the 12 miles back UP HILL to Millport. It was do-able, however, and I loved the entire ride anyway, despite finishing with legs that were on fire and burning like I've never felt before... lol. No pain, no gain, right? Thanks for the beautiful ride through mostly wooded, shaded forests on this well-maintained packed gravel pathway!
Nice trail ride out and back from Watkins Glenn. Little disappointed at the end of the trail in Pine Valley. Trail just falls apart and not much to do there but turn around and head back to WG. Hopefully they will continue this down it the state park.
Parked my car at the Millport post office today and rode this beautiful trail down to Montour Falls, and then continued on to Watkins Glen at a small park near Seneca Lake. Officially this trail goes from the Mark Twain State park to the Watkins Glen State Park but the end points are not so well marked. After going from the post office down to the lake and then retiring to the post office I spent some time exploring the southern end until it faded out into the woods by Horseheads. A fun ride.
This is a great trail very well maintained and a pleasure to bike on compared to the roadside. No worries of traffic.
I rode from the Post Office parking in Millport all the way to Clute Park in Watkins Glen and back. A 23-mile loop. Here is the loop:
http://www.mapmyfitness.com/workout/1584082772
You can't go wrong hiking or biking this trail.
The parking area, free parking, is closest to the GPS location.
322 Main St, Montour Falls, NY 14865
To get to the trail, there are two ways, if you go North (suggested for first time, for a 7 mile bike ride-3.5 each way) , you will get a more scenic trail and go through a swamp area, by school, through a small town on then to the last attraction which is the lake (final point on the trail before you turn around).
To get to the trail, take the road in front of the big waterfall, from mainstreet, facing the waterfalls, TURN RIGHT until you get to a T in the road. Then turn RIGHT again and you will see a cross walk on the main highway. Carefully cross the street and you will see signs for the trail.
The trail is well-made, its obvious it is a trail. There are also mile-markers and signs so that you can't miss it.
This is a great trail to start getting in shape again. It is flat, and easy to follow.
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If you decide to go SOUTH---away from the late. Cross the street from the pizza restaurant and follow the signs to the trail head. (less scenic but longer trail)
This is a nice trail, with changing scenery and up-close views of waterfalls. The trail itself is hard-packed gravel. The section from the Millport Post Office (Burch Hill Rd.) to Smith Rd. is a bit looser. It is easily rideable with a hybrid.
If you're going to ride only part of this trail, I suggest the northernmost section. This section has the waterfalls and Seneca Lake. Some of the trail is on the road and is mostly well-marked. In Montour Falls, after viewing Shequaga Falls, finding the trail was a bit challenging. However, our missing the trail afforded us a view of another waterfall, Aunt Sarah's Falls, on Rte. 14. When you leave Shequaga Falls, turn around and go back down North Genessee St. The trail picks up right before the school parking lot on the right. If you miss it, you hit Rte.14. If you turn left on Rte. 14, Aunt Sarah's Falls are almost immediately on the left. You can then turn around, go down Rte.14 for about an eighth of a mile and the trail picks up on the left (at the crosswalk). If you take the trail into Watkins Glen, you'll reach Seneca Lake at the end.
If you start at the southern end, the Millport Post Office is easy to find and has some dedicated parking spaces for CVT riders. (Set your GPS to 3 Burch Hill Rd.). About a mile after you cross the bridge over the road, you come to a porta potty and a street. The next section of the trail (across the lawn) is closed so you have to continue up the road to the right. The CVT picks up in about a quarter mile.
This trails goes from woods, to waterfalls, to canals, to lakes. It's a quick ride so if you can do the whole trail, I recommend it.
Rode the Catharine Valley Rail Trail. It goes from the village of Watkins Glen, fairly close to the current end of the tracks, down to Horseheads. It parallels the Chemung Canal, part of which is still in water. There are a few bits of railroadiana on the way. A steel milepost, a few steel bridges. It departs from the railbed in a few places. In Montour Falls, the railroad went through the middle of an industrial plant, which is still in use and is currently fenced-off.
Don't miss Montour Falls. Quite beautiful and the subject of a famous painting. When you get back on the trail, notice the Montour Falls station right next to the former tracks.
http://blog.russnelson.com/bicycling/1270979487.html
Trail is in great shape. Park at the Watkins glen HS. Friendly groundskeepers. Maybe could use another sign in Montours Falls. Quite close to state park with 19 waterfalls. Trails a credit to those who maintain it.
This is the first time we've biked this trail. We live about 1 hour away in Vestal, NY. Since we were approaching the trail from route 17/86 in Horseheads, my wife and I thought we'd try starting from south of the southern trail head (Smith road). Google maps shows the trail continuing south from Smith road for quite a ways, and it does. We started at Huck Finn road and went north. That adds an extra mile or so to the 12 mile trail. But beware, the section between Huck Finn road and Smith road is unimproved, except for a quarter of a mile or so just north of Huck Finn road. A mountain bike is recommended. We parked in a grassy area on the north side of Huck Finn road, just across the bridge from the trail. Once you ride the trail to Smith Road and continue north, the trail is nice smooth, fine textured gravel. Excellent ride, I would give it five stars but as others commented, the trail is hard to follow in some parts because it is poorly marked, particularly in Montour Falls. Had to back-track a couple times. Also, as others commented, I would recommend starting at the north end. Watkins Glenn High School looks like the best parking area. If you head south from there and go all the way to Smith road, it's mostly gradual up hill, and nice down hill for the return trip. My wife and I made the full round trip from Huck Finn road to Seneca lake and back in about four hours, with lots of stops to rest and eat lunch. But it wasn't easy!
6-6-2015. Great trail, follow the other reviews leads and start in Watkins Glen and travel South, you'll work a bit this way early on but the ride back is a breeze ! Will definately do this one again. Great shot of the falls too !!
We were visiting from Toronto and wanted to enjoy a little hiking in the Finger Lakes area, so we started our week off with this. It's a really fantastic and easy wooded stroll. If you are looking for a little bit of Nature's Air-Conditioning on a hot day, check out this very gentle wooded stroll; great for both hiking and biking. It is a suitable hike for all ability levels. We accessed the trail from a parking lot in Millport, NY (near the Crescent Street and Maple Street intersection) and then we headed north from there. After hiking up about 3 miles and back, we took a short drive to Montour Falls and enjoyed a cappuccino at the Montour House Cafe (an incredible find for coffee lovers). (FYI - We noticed that there was parking provide for hikers at the Montour Falls access point (near the falls/Post Office) as well.
After enjoying our coffees, we drove a tiny bit further north to take in the sights at Watkins Glen State Park. You can do it all in one day very easily. While Catherine Valley Trail didn't provide us with any surprises or terribly unique scenery, it was an utterly wonderful way to spend a warm day. It was a truly fantastic day and we hope to go back again some day.
This trail has everything I want from a trail. It has great sights, it's well taken care of, and it even has mile markers every quarter-mile throughout most of the trail! I loved hiking it because you could see streams and a mini-waterfall. This was the first trail I hiked because it's relatively flat and it's paved.
I chose a day of pending rain, but it didn't dampen my spirits, I enjoyed ride even with a light rain. I would however, like to see continuous mile markers, instead of starting over at each town, I like to keep time of my ride. Also some areas need better trail signs, it's easy to lose the trail when you have to leave the trail and go out on the highway and streets. I will ride this trail again, hopefully on a nice sunny day, and take a little more time to enjoy the deep gorges, plus there are waterfalls off the trail, a little hike involved. There are plenty of restrooms and kiosks along the trail, as well as benches.
My wife & I rode the off-road tandem on 09/14/2013, starting at the Watkins Glen High School parking lot, which is adjacent to the trail on the north end. We rode south, past Millport, to Smith Rd where there is a sign indicating construction further down the trail. Heading south out of Montour Falls is pretty much an uphill ride, not steep, but noticeably uphill. The return (for us) was a downhill treat. Because the surface is fine gravel/cinders/packed dirt, we couldn't coast very far - even with smooth centered tires.
There are two restrooms along the trail. One at Millport at the Morris Hill Rd trailhead and the other at the S. Genesee St trailhead, just south of Montour Falls. Warning: Bring your own TP. There are some ruts (due to rain runoff) that you need to watch out for. Well worth the trip.
Completed most of the Catherine Valley Trail today - Sunday, 14 October 2012. Traveled from Millport to Montour Falls. Slight downhill grade made the riding quite easy. Very scenic with fall colors; leaves covered much of the trail making the riding even nicer. The trail was in high use with lots of walkers, bikers, and a few runners. The warm weather, along with a beautiful Sunday afternoon, brought out the crowd. Mile markers about every 1/4 mile. A few well placed benches. Overall, the trail is in great shape and a perfect place for novice bikers. Going the opposite direction will be a bit more of a challenge.
We road this trail from Millport to Montour Falls on a 90 degree Memorial Day and I took a quick jaunt into Watkins Glen. The trail is mostly gravel, with some paved and some dirt sections. Best for a hybrid or mountain bike, but OK for a road bike but I would suggest slapping on some touring tires for the day.
The trail environment is simply stunning. The greater part of the ride is deeply forested on both sides, with Catherine Creek audible or visible. It was well shaded, a plus for a hot, muggy day. Montour Falls is a quaint little town with a dramatic waterfall smack dab in the middle - and other just north of town - and a fine little cafe. The jaunt into Watkins Glen runs adjacent to the creek for some stretches, and is pleasant enough but not as pretty as the southern part of the trail.
A+!
This trail is my favorite (although I live some two-hours away) in part because I grew up in this area, and it offers the most solitude as it appears to be little used by the local folks. The railroad that ran through here was used primarily to move coal from Williamsport PA to Sodus Point NY where it was shipped to Canada and other Great Lakes destinations. It also carried grapes and other fruit to the south, along with ice from Lake Ontario in years past. As a child lying in bed at night I used to listen to the freight trains rumbling up & down the valley and wonder what they were carrying and where they were going with it.
The trail starts in the North at the Seneca Lake pier in Watkins Glen, at about where the remaining active railroad ends, and where there is plenty of free parking. After a short ride through the village you enter the old railbed just south of the high school. You proceed on a scenic trip through through the Queen Catherine Marsh, the village of Montour Falls, and then on a long gradual uphill climb through the woods to the old canal hamlet of Millport. The trip from Millport through Pine Valley to Horseheads has a bit less of a remote feel (and less of a physical challenge) but a great ride nonetheless. By Spring 2011 the southern terminus at Mark Twain Park should be completed.
The natural Upstate NY scenery is terrific, and the close up views & sounds of the local semi-rural & small town culture are charming. Worth noting to many is that there are several park-benches, two composting Rest Rooms but no public water facilities along the way, so be sure to bring enough water with you if you are riding the whole trail. There are stores & restaurants in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, and Pine Valley.
We only rode this trail from the town of Montour Falls to Millport, which was the only portion of the trail that was open when we were there in May 2008. This was one of the very first rail-trails we've ridden, and even now that we've been spoiled by riding on hundreds of miles of mostly paved rail-trails in Ohio and Pennsylvania we still think that this is one of the prettiest trails we've been on!
At some points, the trail was on a high ridge with a big drop-off on one side and a mountain on the other. It had a few short, steep sections that provided a very interesting ride. Mostly, the trail climbed gradually towards Millport so that we had a much faster and easier ride back.
I'd also recommend stopping by the library in downtown Montour Falls to see their stained glass window; the whole building was charming.
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