Allegheny River Valley Trail, Starting at Gargoyle Park, Olean, NY

Visited October 2026

Parking:  I used Google Maps to get to Gargoyle Park, 101 Gargoyle Road, Olean, NY.  The PDF map below shows a number of parking options allowing for a variety of trail distances.  At Gargoyle Park, the gravel lot will hold 20+ vehicles.

59-64 degrees Fahrenheit; 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

I did not look for restrooms in the buildings at the park.

There is no fee for the trail.

Dogs are supposed to be on a leash.  Wesley stayed at home today, because I met family for lunch before I visited the trail.

The trail has occasional mile markers on it.

I walked .91 miles from Gargoyle Park to Bridge #1 near the Bona Loop.  I returned to parking for a total of 1.75 miles.  

This trail is a paved multi-use trail that follows along the side of the Allegheny River.  From Gargoyle Park to Bridge #1, the trail is relatively level and wide enough to walk side by side.  I had to keep an ear out for passing bicyclists.  I passed a roller blader, too.  I do wonder if the acorns caused the roller blades any trouble.  I really enjoyed the peeks of sparking water I could see through the trees as I walked along.  The breeze was helping a few leaves and acorns to fall from the trees.  Overall, this section of trail was beautiful and I hope to return to explore the other sections. I really enjoyed the blue skies, sunshine glinting off the river,  the sound of the river, and the beautiful huge oak trees.  ****This walk has placed in my Top 10 walks.  (I am sure the perfect autumn weather contributed, but the oaks and the peeks of the river were special.)

This trail would be good for strollers and maybe wheelchairs depending on which parking spot you use.  There is a gravel path from the gravel parking to the paved trail.

I did not see trash on the trail except for a Starbucks cup on a bench.  

There were no mosquitos bothering me today.

I did not see any poison ivy.

I heard songbirds and some traffic noise. I saw a woodchuck and a few squirrels. There were a variety of tree species including cherry, shagbark hickory, oaks and maples.  Some of the trees had impressive circumferences.

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/alleganyquaker/details.aspx

For more information about the trail  Allegheny River Valley Trail at St. Bonaventure - Allegany, Olean 

Trail Map On Page 3 of this PDF:  Allegheny River Valley Trail Brochure & Map (2017) 

For more information about the park: Gargoyle Park - Allegany, Olean 

Nearby:  Beef-N-Barrel, North Union Street, Olean, NY Beef n Barrel | Restaurant | 146 North Union Street, Olean, NY 14760, USA 

Having tasted many a beef-on-weck sandwich, Beef-N-Barrel offers one of the best.  Their German potato salad is comprable to my mom's and I don't say that lightly.  For a special treat, my mom and I have enjoyed their strawberry dacquiri on past visits.  My mom and aunt love the butter brickle pie.