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WEST VIRGINIA
Featured National Recreation Trails

A sampling of National Recreation Trails in the news or recently designated. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains.

 

National Recreation Trails... America's great trails!

Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths.

Search all of West Virginia's designated National Recreation Trails in the Online NRT Database

 

Canaan Valley Institute Trail System — Located near the town of Davis, this 6.5-mile privately-owned multi-use trail system offers the public a variety of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, with additional connections planned to link to neighboring State and Federal lands.

 

Hatfield-McCoy Trails — Spanning nearly 500 miles across eight counties, this backcountry trail system provides for a variety of trail uses, including all-terrain vehicle use, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. In addition to linking cultural resources, this trail system attracts tourism dollars and has provided an economic boost for communities throughout the region. Given the recreational and economic benefits generated, and the numerous partners and landowners involved, this trail system should be commended for what has been achieved through a diverse partnership (designated 2004).

 

Ralph S. Larue/West Fork Trail — This 14.5-mile rail-trail in rural Marion and Harrison Counties connects Fairmont, Monongah, Everson, Worthington, Hutchinson, Enterprise, and Shinnston. The trail is named in honor of Ralph S. Larue, the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission (MCPARC) director responsible for the trail’s development. The trail features three bridges and is popular for fishing and boating, with many points of access to the river and beaches. Additional recreational activities are available where the trail goes through Worthington and Hutchinson Parks. The trail passes by many historical features including old coke ovens, mine works, bridge piers, and a mill dam. The Adopt-a-Trail program allows various community groups and businesses to help in the upkeep of the trail (designated 2011).

 

McTrail— This scenic rail trail in Marion County connects Prickett’s Fort State Park to Fairmont. Highlights of the 2.5-mile trail include a 1,200-foot lighted tunnel and a trailhead built to resemble an old train stop. The majority of the trail is within a wooded area. It is a great place to go bird watching, watch squirrels play, and see beavers and deer. The trail provides a safe place for children and adults to bike ride, roller skate, walk, run, and do many other activities. Public support shows what a great benefit the trail is to the community. Through an Adopt-a-Trail program, community groups and individuals help maintain sections of the trail (designated 2011).

 

Mon River/Caperton/Deckers Creek Trails: This 46-mile rail-trail system links urban and rural communities in three counties and acts as a low-impact recreation corridor, alternative transportation route, community green space, outdoor classroom, and natural and cultural heritage park (designated 2006).

 

Sunrise Carriage Trail — meandering trail gently rises 200 feet through a forested haven near downtown Charleston (designated 2012).

 

Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as an early transportation route and its association with Civil War activities in West Virginia. This turnpike has been maintained as close as possible to its original construction in the 1850's. The 10-mile trail provides year-round recreation for walking, biking, hiking, horseback riding, and natural and human history interpretation. The turnpike serves thousands of visitors to Burnsville Lake in central West Virginia each year.

 

 

 

 

 

The on-line database has details on the currently designated National Recreation Trails. The NRT Program online is hosted by American Trails: www.AmericanTrails.org

 

The NTTP Online Calendar connects you with courses, conferences, and trail-related training

 

Promote your trail through the National Recreation Trails Program

 

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American Trails and NTTP support accessibility with Section 508: read more.

 

The National Recreation Trails Program
American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797
Phone (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 •
nrt@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org