Ride Guide
This route connects New River Gorge National Park (and the Prince, WV Amtrak station) to the Mon via remote, rugged, and beautiful terrain with very little traffic (you might go several hours without seeing a car).
Stepping off the train at Prince, WV, you’re immediately in the heart of the New River Gorge and it’s a short ride to free camping (fortunate, since the westbound train arrives at 7pm).
The first 30 miles are mostly forested gravel roads within the gorge. The ghost town of Thurmond is a highlight with its historic bridge, train station, and other buildings still intact. From Thurmond, a long gravel climb enters Babcock State Park, home of perhaps the world’s scenic (and most photographed) grist mill. The state park also has a gift shop with limited food/drink and a nice full service campground.
From Babcock, you have 10 relatively easy miles on paved backroads to reach the Meadow River Trail and ride a few miles of this newly opened rail-trail. Turning off the trail at Nallen, be prepared for 30 miles of remote and rugged terrain (even by West Virginia standards). Many riders will intermittently hike-a-bike on the rockiest 4WD roads of this section. You won’t regret wide tires and front suspension, but a gravel bike is doable for a skilled rider.
After you reach the high point of the route at mile 67, you’ll enjoy a 10-mile descent on relatively smooth surfaces down to the Cherry River. The last few miles into Richwood use the Cranberry Tri Rivers Rail Trail. The trail is fully open to the public, but hasn’t yet been rebuilt to modern rail-trail standards and can get muddy and beat up at times. Highway 39 parallels the trail and often has light enough traffic that some riders might prefer it.
Resupply options are limited on this route; bring extra food and a way to purify water!
