Because of the canopy of trees, we are definitely going to return in a couple of weeks to catch the leaves!!!! very little human traffic at all, very peaceful, and easy to navigate. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until August. Zoar Valley is an area of deep gorges along the Main and South branches of Cattaraugus Creek in western New York, United States. The Zoar Valley Trail and some others lead to Pittsburgh. The outer loop trail is closed during the summer to protect native nesting birds. 800 due to previous reports that it is difficult riding. Various rafting outfitters offer rafting trips within the gorge area. Hikers on the Zoar Trail are reminded to follow the alternate Blue/Yellow-blazed trail from April 15 and August 15. Gowanda, NY Intermediate. What is not mentioned is that the southern portion is on-road and not a protected bike path. there is a bee/wasp/or hornets' nest that is right near a tree as the trail gets wider at the dam. The path disappeared into shoulder high weeds and I was told it was private land. The trails are not super obvious, they're muddy, overgrown, and narrow. ... Citizens Campaign's Zoar Valley Page - Nice write up about Zoar Valley. The crushed limestone was a pain for my tires but other then that it was a decent trail. we do the majority of our biking up in the cuyahoga valley towpath and up in cleveland so we know what the crushed limestone/smooth gravel towpaths sections are all about. if there are any plans for the county to improve it down the road; only time will tell. it had rained on thursday but there were no puddles only a few slightly muddy low spots. I've ridden this trail twice. The valley is located along the border of Erie County and Cattaraugus County, roughly between the villages of Gowanda to the west and Springville to the east. Why? road that was a former road but is no longer for vehicle access. hope this helps, enjoy the trip! Current Trail Conditions Update Conditions. meaning that there are two dirt-flattened two-foot wide paths straddling around the middle which is grass/weeds. It is on the former towpath of the Ohio & Erie Canal. At the point where the trail (towpath) nears the active railroad (noted by the presence of a 60-80 ft. high embankment) the trail seems to disapear. I biked this trail southwards from its northern end at Ft. Laurens State memorial in Bolivar, OH, to its intersection with OH-416, south of Dover Dam. The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation manages the trail.The southern half of the trail (south of SR 416) requires on-road cycling and is hilly, while the section north of the camp, has a natural surface and is more level. 800, the towpath and all trees disapear and you come out into a field. You'll also find a couple railroad trestles, one known as Fink Truss Bridge, which is a one-of-a-kind on the National Register of Historic Places.In addition to the historical sites, you can visit the Zoar Wetland Arboretum and you can camp at Tuscazoar, which is located about the halfway point. The people complaining about the trail need to realize this is a work in progress and thus far I think they have done a great job! 800 trail head, ride the 5.5 miles to Bolivar and enjoy a sandwich at Sublime BBQ (check the hours) or ice cream at DQ or the little shop in the middle of the village and then return. South of Route 800 until you reach Johnstown Road NE the trail is very rough and has areas of standing water. View Trail Map The Zoar Valley Trail winds along the Tuscarawas River between the village of Schoenbrunn in the south and Fort Laurens State Memorial in Bolivar in the north. That was all we rode today. If there is a connection to continue towards New Philly I'd like to know where it is. It appears that most of the money was spent on this structure as it belies the poor condition of the trail ahead. Followed the river and it had many bends and bridges. Cattaraugus Creek flows through the valley. There are erosion ruts that could easily take a rider down and/or pretzel a wheel. Also, this rail bed is privately owned by a company in Dover, but likely no one will deny you entrance. it now represents a hiking/horse path that is used by bikers as well. From this parking lot east, the trail is unimproved. An additional gorge formed by the Cattaraugus Creek's South Branch stretches south toward the village of Cattaraugus. The people who worked there said there were no trails there. At one point you end up out on route 212/800, just turn left and go a short distance (100 yards tops) you will see a bright red bridge to your right, ride over the bridge to the poles then turn right and you are back on the trail again. I only went 5 Miles down then headed back. I can't speak for the opposite end of the trail that starts in Schoenbrunn. They said all trails had been blocked off. Make arrangements to hike the trail description listed here at TrailLink suggests that the trail for hikers, bikers horses! Into Camp Tuscazoar area, formerly a Boy scout Rd listed here at TrailLink suggests that the trail across 77... Time-To-Time and was still and low in spots member with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy the railbed runs the. 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