Rail trail · New York
Pat McGee Trail
A 12.1-mile rail-trail through the Cattaraugus County hills connecting Salamanca and Cattaraugus, with connections to the Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail near Allegany State Park.
Length
12.1 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
Route
Point to point
Endpoints
City of Salamanca to Village of Cattaraugus
Season
Year-round; groomed for snowmobiles and open for winter use; spring through fall best for biking and hiking
Plan your ride or walk
The Pat McGee Trail is a 12.1-mile multi-use rail-trail in Cattaraugus County, western New York, named for former State Senator Pat McGee and opened in 2005. It follows a former rail bed from the city of Salamanca through the communities of Little Valley and Mansfield to the village of Cattaraugus, crossing six rehabilitated rail bridges and passing a 1.8-acre community park with a pavilion and gazebos in Little Valley. What makes the trail especially valuable to hikers and riders looking for longer adventures is its connections: the Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail both cross or link to the Pat McGee, providing access to Allegany State Park in New York and the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Five trailheads with parking areas are distributed along the route. The trail is open for biking, hiking, snowmobiling, and horseback riding.
Getting there
Salamanca is the western terminus and is easily reached via I-86 Exit 20, about 65 miles southeast of Buffalo. The Little Valley trailhead off Route 353 sits roughly at the midpoint and offers a community park with facilities. Cattaraugus, the eastern terminus, is reachable from Route 353 northeast of Little Valley.
Official trail information
Confirm current conditions, closures, and any required trail pass on the managing agency’s page.
NYS Parks: Pat McGee TrailWhat to bring
Gear keyed to a long, flat trail day: footwear, hydration, sun protection, and a pack sized for the distance.
What to pack
Plan with our tools
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Pat McGee Trail?
The Pat McGee Trail is 12.1 miles point to point from Salamanca to the village of Cattaraugus. Five trailheads with parking areas let you join at multiple points and ride out-and-back segments of any length.
What long-distance trails connect to the Pat McGee Trail?
The Finger Lakes Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail both have connections with the Pat McGee Trail, providing routes into Allegany State Park in New York and Allegany National Forest across the Pennsylvania border.
Can you snowmobile on the Pat McGee Trail?
Yes. The Pat McGee Trail is open for snowmobiling in winter, in addition to hiking, biking, and horseback riding during other seasons.
Is there a fee to use the Pat McGee Trail?
The trail is managed by New York State Parks and is open dawn to dusk. There is no per-use trail fee. Parking at the five trailheads is free.
More New York trails
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