Mountain Bike Trails in New York State
Directions:
From West: Take 495 East(Long Island Expressway) to Exit 66 Sills Rd (Patchogue Yaphank Rd), bear left at Expressway Dr. South (service road). Turn left at Patchogue Yaphank Rd. Bear right at Mill Rd. Bear left at Yaphank-Middle Island Rd. Look for park entrance on left.
From East: Take 495 west (LIE) to exit 68 north (Wm. Floyd Pkwy). Turn left onto Longwood Rd. At end of Longwood Rd. turn left; entrance is immediately to your right.
General Description:
320 acre Cathedral Pines County Park, is located on the south shore of Long Island. The eastern edge of the park lies along the headwaters of the Carmans River, one of Long Island's two State Wild and Scenic Rivers. Facilities include campground with showers, picnic sites and the George Broome Memorial Activity Building. There are nature trails and a designated mountain bike loop trail. Adjacent to the park is the Prosser Pines Natural Preserve, with its majestic stand of white pines planted in 1812. While a great place for hikers, photographers and birdwatchers, the Preserve is off limits to biking.
County residents can purchase a green key from the Suffolk County Department of Parks for reduced fee parking and other park activities (see website below for green key info). On weekends non-residents can park for a $5.00 fee and Green Key holders $2. Weekday parking is free.
The Trails:
Bicycles can be ridden on existing paved or dirt roads, excluding hiking or horseback trails, in all of the active and passive Suffolk County Parks.
The Cathedral Pines Mountain Bike Trail is a one way, mostly flat singletrack trail that passes through shaded woodland habitat, and loops around fields and open areas. There are benches along the way, if you feel like taking a break. This 6 mile loop trail, built and well-maintained by the Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists (C.L.I.M.B.), is recreational cross-country mountain biking at it's best. While not technically challenging (few rocks and roots), the rolling terrain with its many twists and turns is challenging for the beginner and a fast, fun ride for more experienced mountain bikers.
There are 3+ miles of additional spur trails with optional hill climbs for the advanced rider. The Cathedral Pines Mountain Bike Trail is a great after work ride, if you happen to live in the area. It is also open during the winter months, while the popular trail at nearby Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area is closed from November 1-January 31.
Camp for a few days of outdoor adventures. The park provides easy access to and is nearby:
Prosser Pines County Nature Preserve: One of the oldest pine plantations in the eastern U.S.
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge: 2,550 acres maintained by the Nature Conservancy. Four miles of marked trails travel through a variety of habitats including wetlands, pine barrens and grasslands. Spring brings magnificent wildflowers and the Autumn colors are not to be missed. Designated activities include hiking, wildlife observation, canoeing and fishing. Cross-country skiing (winter)
Carman's River Canoe Route: This popular canoe trail along Long Island's third largest and most pristine river begins in the village of Yaphank, passes through the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and ends where the Carmans River widens and enters Great South Bay. There are 5 canoe access points.
For more information:
Cathedral Pines County Park
Yaphank-Middle Island Rd.
Middle Island, NY 11953
Phone: (631) 852-5500
Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation
PO Box 144, Montauk Highway
West Sayville, NY 11796
Phone: (631) 854-4949
TTY: 711 (AT&T National Relay)
Website: www.co.suffolk.ny.us
Concerned Long Island Mountain Bicyclists (C.L.I.M.B)
maintains the mountain bike trails here as well as other trail systems on Long Island.
Website: C.L.I.M.B.
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