Catharine Valley Trail

Catharine Valley Trail is a walking path that stretches about 14 miles through upstate New York between Watkins Glen and Horseheads. The route follows compacted stone surfaces through forests with a mix of open sections and wooded areas along the way.

The path reuses sections of the former Northern Central Railway and the Chemung Canal towpath dating to the 1800s. These old transport routes once moved goods and people between towns and shaped how the region grew.

The trail links small communities across the Finger Lakes region, letting visitors walk through the heart of local towns and see how they are connected. You experience the everyday character of these rural settlements as you pass through their neighborhoods.

Several trailheads along the route offer different starting points, with parking available at locations near Watkins Glen and Horseheads. You can choose to walk the full distance or select shorter sections that fit your schedule and ability.

The trail passes near a wetland area designated as an Important Bird Area that hosts migratory birds traveling along a major route on the Atlantic coast. Birdwatchers often spot species here during migration seasons.