Zoar Valley attracts adventurers with some of the most scenic and ecologically diverse landscapes in New York. With towering cliffs, rugged forests, and crisp swift waters, Zoar Valley provides nearly 3,000 acres of pristine wilderness, ripe for exploration. Designated a “multi use area,” Zoar Valley offers visitors various activities including hiking, hunting, fishing, and class four rapids. Free and open to the public year round, keep reading to discover how best to plan your Zoar Valley adventure!
Zoar Valley is accessible via four main parking areas: Valentine Flats Road, Ross, Holcomb Pond, and Forty Road parking areas. For individuals visiting for the first time, I would recommend starting from Valentine Flats Road parking lot. The remainder of this review will be dedicated to adventuring from this site.
First Lookout
The main Valentine Flats trail is a moderate hike which is approximately 1 mile in each direction. The first park of the hike takes you into a heavily wooded area near the top of the gorge. Within the first 5 minutes of hiking, the trail forks. I recommend you first follow the very short uphill trail to the left for a spectacular lookout over the gorge. It is highly recommended that you stay back 15 ft from the cliff’s edge at all times! The shale is brittle and can give way. Many lives have been needlessly lost from these lookouts.
Descent to the Creek
After taking in the sights from 400 ft above the gorge below, trek back to the trail fork and take the path to the right. This is the main trail which leads to the creek within the gorge. The hike down starts somewhat steep and wet. As the trail levels out, you will walk through a pleasant grove of ivy covered trees which is particularly beautiful in the late spring and summer. Exiting this expansive greenery brings you to a more open wooded path along the banks of the Cattaraugus Creek. Several creek access points exist along this portion of the trail.
The main trail bends around a steep banked hill overlooking the gorge. A steep short trek up a well trodden, but unmarked, trail will lead you to another cliff top view. Returning to the main trail, will take you to the final portion of the hike, into the creek. A unique rocky path, guides hikers along the cliff face into the “creek walking” part of this hike. Depending on water levels in the gorge, this part of the hike can involve jumping rock to rock or moving through shallow water. These pictures are taken after mild days of rain on Memorial Day and we had no problems.
Cattaraugus Creek
The creek forks into the southern and northern branches near the end of the trail. This area is beautiful and a favorite spot to relax in the water, have a picnic, and enjoy tubing the smaller rapids of the region. If you were planning to spend some time soaking up the sun and creek, this should be your spot.
The final part of the hike returns to a dirt path traversing along the southern branch of the Cattaraugus Creek. Tranquil patches of lush ground level greenery mark this more secluded portion of the hike. The trail ends along the creek bank, at which point you take the same path back to the parking lot.
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