Ride Guide
This short out-and-back on the southern Greenbrier River Trail offers a relaxed, family-friendly ride between Caldwell and Anthony, following the gentle grade of the former Chesapeake & Ohio Railway corridor along one of West Virginia’s most beloved rail-trails. The wide, well-maintained trail hugs the banks of the Greenbrier River, with frequent glimpses of clear water winding through farmland and forested hills.
The southern section of the Greenbrier River Trail has a quieter, more pastoral feel than the busier stretches farther north, passing through open river bottoms and small communities that once relied on the railroad for timber and agricultural transport. Riders soon reach the riverside community of Anthony, where public river access makes a natural turnaround point and a great place to rest beside the water.
Along the way, riders pass the Dale McCutcheon Shelter, a well-built Adirondack-style trail shelter that provides a comfortable overnight stop for bikepackers exploring the trail. Several similar shelters dot the corridor, making the Greenbrier River Trail one of the easiest places in West Virginia to try a first overnight bikepacking trip.
The river itself is also popular with paddlers. The Anthony to Caldwell stretch is a scenic section of the Greenbrier River that can be floated by canoe or kayak, making this route a fun option for a bike-and-paddle or bikerafting adventure. Riders can easily extend the trip by continuing farther along the trail or combining the ride with a downstream float on the river.
Nearby, Caldwell offers convenient access to services, and sits just a few miles from both White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg, where riders can find restaurants, lodging, groceries, and bike-friendly amenities before or after their ride.
