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PrintGear up! West Virginia's Rail Trails
Experience the Mountain State's outdoor beauty on two wheels.
Summer is a great season for biking! And we can't think of a better way to celebrate the season and experience the Mountain State than to hop on a bike and explore your nearest rail-trail. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy—a national nonprofit organization devoted to converting old railways into public paths—is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and West Virginia boasts almost 400 miles of rail-trails in 20 counties. The 31 rail-trails that traverse the Mountain State are among the most beautiful and scenic in the country. Rail-trails are easily accessible and ideal for hiking, biking, horseback riding, in-line skating, and cross-country skiing.
“Turning rail corridors into rail-trails is a visionary way to preserve the corridors and maintain the properties as wonderful community assets,” says Ella Belling, executive director of Mon River Trails Conservancy in Morgantown. “Not only are the rail-trails great for outdoor recreation, but they are also used for commuting to work, school, neighborhood parks, and shopping areas, training for races and exercising, and gathering for community events like bird counts and school field trips.” The rail-trails across West Virginia are also boosting local economies by attracting tourists who are looking for additional outdoor activities.
For in-depth information about each of West Virginia’s rail-trails, visit www.wvcommerce.org/travel and follow the links to “Things to Do,” “Outdoor Recreation,” and “Rail Trails.”
1. Panhandle Rail Trail
Length: 29 mi.
Counties: Brooke, WV; Washington and Allegheny, PA
Contact: 304.797.8520
2. Wellsburg Yankee Rail Trail
Length: 2 mi.
County: Brooke
Contact: 304.737.3750
3. Brooke Pioneer Trail System
Length: 7 mi.
Counties: Brooke, Ohio
Contact: 304.737.0506
4. Wheeling Heritage Rail Trail
Length: 17 mi.
County: Ohio
Contact: 304.234.3701
5. Glen Dale to Moundsville
Length: 3 mi.
County: Marshall
Contact: 304.845.0482
6. East Wetzel Rail Trail
Length: 1 mi.
County: Wetzel
Contact: 304.775.5680
7. Joel McCann Memorial Trail
Length: 1.5 mi.
County: Marion
Contact: 304.986.2700
8. Mon River Rail Trail System
Length: 48 mi.
Counties: Marion, Monongalia, Preston
9. Cheat Lake Rail Trail
Length: 4.5 mi.
County: Monongalia
Contact: 304.594.2817
10. Marion County Trail
Length: 2.5 mi.
County: Marion
Contact: 304.363.7037
11. West Fork River Rail Trail
Length: 14 mi.
Counties: Harrison, Marion
Contact: 304.363.7037; 304.592.0177
www.mcparc.com
12. Harrison County Hike and Bike Rail Trail
Length: 7 mi.
County: Harrison
13. North Bend Rail Trail
Length: 72 mi.
Counties: Wood, Ritchie, Doddridge, Harrison
Contact: 304.643.2931
14. Harrison County Southern Rail Trail
Length: 8 mi.
County: Harrison
15. Barnum Rail Trail
Length: 4.1 mi.
County: Mineral
Contact: 304.788.5732
16. Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail
Length: 10.2 mi.
County: Tucker
Contact: 304.478.3251
17. Allegheny Highlands Trail
Length: 25.6 mi.
Counties: Randolph, Tucker
Contact: 304.637.7507
18. West Fork Rail Trail
Length: 24.1 mi.
Counties: Pocahontas, Randolph
Contact: 304.456.3335
19. Greenbrier River Trail
Length: 77 mi.
County: Pocahontas, Greenbrier
Contact: 304.799.7416
20. Gauley Mountain Trail
Length: 5.4 mi.
County: Pocahontas
Contact: 304.799.4334
21. Williams River Trail
Length: 3 mi.
County: Pocahontas
Contact: 304.799.4334
22. Cranberry/Tri Rivers Rail Trail
Length: 16.5 mi.
County: Nicholas
Contact: 304.846.2862
23. Elk River Rail Trail
Length: 1 mi.
County: Kanawha
Contact: 304.341.8000
24. Mill Creek Trail
Length: 1.8 mi.
County: Fayette
Contact: 1.800.927.0263
25. White Oak Rail Trail
Length: 7.5 mi.
County: Fayette
Contact: 1.800.927.0263
26. Narrow Gauge Rail Trail
Length: 2.5 mi.
County: Fayette
Contact: 304.438.3004
27. Southside Trail
Length: 7 mi.
County: Fayette
Contact: 1.800.927.0263, 304.465.0508
28. Rend Trail
Length: 3.4 mi.
County: Fayette
Contact: 1.800.927.0263, 304.465.0508
29. Glade Creek Trail
Length: 5.6 mi.
County: Nicholas, Raleigh
Contact: 1.800.927.0263, 304.465.0508
30. Beckley Rail Trail
Length: 3.6 mi.
County: Raleigh
Contact: 304.256.1776, 304.256.1750
31. Potts Valley Rail Trail
Length: 4.5 mi.
County: Monroe
Contact: 304.772.3003
