Springville Pop Warner Segment of the ECRT, Springville, NY
The Springville Pop Warner Trail is 1.8 miles point to point with an elevation gain of 4 feet. Starting at the parking lot on West Main St, if you walk out and back to North Street and then out and back to (behind) Lowe’s, that will be 3.6 miles. You may want to do more or less than that since the trail is pretty good beyond the official boundaries of Pop Warner.
This trail was one of the first sections of the
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc.
to open.
More sections have opened since, both north and south of the Pop Warner Trail.
The northern and southern trailheads of this trail are at the northern and southern boundaries respectively of the Village of Springville.
Leave No Trace, Ten Essentials
While you’re enjoying the outdoors, please
leave no trace
to minimize your impact and preserve these special places for others to use as well.
If you’re walking or hiking, please pack the
REI ten essentials for your own safety. When cycling, consider using this REI checklist.
For other activities, review the hiking and biking essentials and use your judgment.
Trail Surface
The trail surface is mostly gravel with some dirt and grass. There are several street intersections.
Please consider carefully whether this trail surface is suitable for your activity.
Restrooms
There are no public restrooms at the trailheads or along the trail. There are restooms in several nearby restaurants.
Points of Interest
A fun point of interest is a beautifully painted mural on a fence north of West Main Street.
History
From a sign at the trail head:
Pop Warner Trail
You are at the West Main Street trail head of the Springville Rail Trail. Our 1.8 mile Trail follows the Buffalo & Pittsburgh right-of-way on a north-south direction through our Village. Village residents supported this adaptive reuse of the discontinued 19th century industrial transportation corridor, and the Trail is named after football legend Glenn Warner who lived in Springville and owned and designed the golf course just south of the Village.
Because the Village features many intersections with residential streets, it is an alternative route for pedestrians and bicyclists. Also, the trail serves as a linear park, facilitating cross-country skiing and snow shoeing in the winter months.
The Trail opened in 2016, however, work will continue as funding becomes available. Surface improvements, informational signs regarding historical and natural landmarks, and aesthetic improvements will help make the Springville Trail a memorable experience along the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail.
History of Rail Road Corridor
The return of the B&P right-of-way in Springville to a multiuse trail for recreation is a return of the right-of-way to tourist commerce in the railroad’s heyday.
The Buffalo, Rochester, and Pittsburg Railway provided rail service through Springville to haul coal from Pennsylvania to Buffalo and Rochester in the 1880’s. The first passenger service to Springville was on November 19, 1883. The railroad promoted excursions to the Southern Tier, and the scenic Cattaraugus Creek gorge. In 1899 the railroad added the Pavilion on the north bank of the Cattaraugus Creek at the BR&P Bridge, and the popular attraction was known as Cascade Park.
Rail passenger service to Springville ended in 1955. Rail service ended in 1996.
Hiking Solo (and Running, etc.)
Solo hikers who find themselves able to do the whole point-to-point trail distance but not the out and back may consider using Uber or Lyft to get a ride from where they parked to the other trailhead. Warning: this trail is in a less populated area. You may have to wait 15 minutes or more for a ride or you may not get a ride at all. I got stranded at a trailhead once and could not get back to my car at the other trailhead. Thankfully, it was close enough home that my wife picked me up. But I have done this successfully in more populated areas.
Trail Summary
| Distance | 1.8 miles point to point | 3.6 miles out and back |
| Elevation gain | 4 feet | |
| Trail surface | Gravel, dirt, and grass | |
| Difficulty | Easy | |
| Point of Interest | 42.514325, -78.671806 | Fence mural |
| Main Street parking and trailhead | 42.508853, -78.675391 | About 20 spaces, not paved, not striped |
Maps
All Trails
Both free
and premium All Trails accounts provide the capability to load and navigate this map.
Tap/click the trail name on the map to enlarge.
Scan the QR code to load the map into All Trails app on your smartphone.
Why have we chosen All Trails for maps for this site?
