5 Must-Ride Rail Trails in the Mon Forest Region
The railroads that transformed remote Appalachian hamlets into booming centers of industry and extraction have found new life as some of the region’s most spectacular bike trails. When I first moved here, these rail trails became my classroom, teaching me the Mon Forest region’s history and natural wonders better than any guidebook. Pedaling these converted corridors, you’ll pass reclaimed logging camps, historic depots, and geological features that shaped both the land and the industries built upon it, all while covering serious distance through incredible scenery without the brutal climbs of mountain trails. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly afternoon or a multi-day bikepacking adventure, these five trails showcase the best of what the region has to offer.
Table of Contents
West Virginia State Parks
- Biking
- E-Biking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Camping
Any list of rail trails in West Virginia should start with the crown jewel of the Greenbrier Valley. Having ridden the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail on both short day trips and weekend excursions, I can attest to its reputation as one of the 25 best rail trails in America. Sitting at the geological boundary between Virginia’s Valley & Ridge province and West Virginia’s Appalachian Plateau, the route offers some of the best scenery in the Mountain State.
The trail’s northern terminus is located at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, near the free-flowing headwaters of its namesake river in Durbin. From there, the GRT follows the path south carved first by ancient rivers through 350-million-year-old rock, and later by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) with its historic tunnels and trestles.
When family or friends come to visit, the GRT is one of the first places I take them. Despite winding through some of the most remote wilderness in West Virginia, the trail’s popularity and state park management provide excellent support infrastructure, including numerous trailheads, restrooms, campsites, and signage along the way. Unlike other National Forest trails, e-bikes are also permitted, making it a great accessible destination. You’ll find rentals and tune-ups at Greenbrier Bikes, Dirt Bean, and Appalachian Sport in Marlinton, as well as Hammer Cycles down in Lewisburg near the southern trailhead in Caldwell.
For more information about planning your trip, visit the Greenbrier River Trail Foundation website!
Monongahela National Forest
- Biking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Camping
The West Fork Rail Trail takes you deep into the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, and I mean deep; as part of Green Bank Observatory’s National Radio Quiet Zone, there will be no cell service along the entire route, and you’re unlikely to come across many other riders. One of my favorite places to escape in the warm summer months, the West Fork features several refreshing swimming holes along the southern end of the route and multiple opportunities for dispersed camping near the trail and in the Little River Dispersed Camping Area.
The downtown Durbin trailhead makes for an easy start, but history buffs should consider beginning at the Glady Trailhead outside Elkins instead. From there, it’s just a mile walk north to the historic Glady Tunnel. Layered with old railroad ballast, much of this ride will be bumpier than the nearby Greenbrier River Trail, but what sets this former Western Maryland Railroad (WM) line apart, in my opinion, is the interpretive signage, which is, hands down, the best in the entire Monongahela National Forest. A dozen double-sided signs mark the former locations of the region’s many ghost towns, telling the fascinating stories of the people who called these rugged logging camps and boomtowns home and bringing the forest’s logging history to life.
Keep your eyes open for wildlife. I’ve spotted beavers, bald eagles, and deer regularly, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the rarer residents: black bears, river otters, or fishers.
Note: E-bikes are not permitted on this trail.
West Virginia Division of Highways
- Biking
- E-Biking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross-Country Skiing
Living in Elkins, I’ve made the Allegheny Highlands Trail my go-to for afternoon rides. Rolling out from the Welcome Depot trailhead, it’s the perfect after-work escape. Unlike other trails on this list, most of the Allegheny Highlands Trail has cell service and features paved sections through Elkins and Parsons, with several trailhead parking areas in between, making it an excellent choice for families. From Elkins, the former West Virginia Central & Pittsburgh Railway’s (WVC&P) grade stays level as you head into the mountains of Tucker County, passing by scenic pastoral streamside scenes. Once in Tucker, however, you’ll earn your elevation, quickly climbing 700 feet along the northern edge of Fork Mountain.
One piece of advice: if you’re planning an out-and-back ride, start early. I’ve learned this the hard way more times than I’d like to admit, finding myself racing the sunset back to Elkins with sore legs and an empty tank, willing my bike to go just a little faster before darkness falls.
If you’re a birder, don’t miss the Montrose Wetlands along the route; it’s a lesser-known Department of Highways preserve with excellent avian opportunities.
Joey’s Bike Shop in Elkins offers tune-ups and rentals. For more information about the trail’s history, planning tips, and upcoming races, visit the Highlands Trail Foundation website.
Monongahela National Forest
- Biking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross-Country Skiing
The Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail is the steepest rail trail in the region, descending nearly 1,500 feet through a gorge flanked by 1,000-foot sandstone walls carved by the Blackwater River over the last 100 million years. The over 3% grade (challenging even for the steam engines that once hauled coal and lumber up this route) makes for an exhilarating descent. Sharp-eyed riders can still spot remnants of those engines in the forest below, alongside rocks stained orange from coal and coke production.
Built by the West Virginia Central & Pittsburgh Railway (WVC&P) in the 1880s to tap into West Virginia’s coal and lumber-rich mountains, this was one of the earliest rail forays into the region. In late 2024, the area was acquired by the Forest Service, though it has not yet been officially adopted into the trail system. Despite this transition, the trail remains in excellent condition.
The signature feature is Douglas Falls, an iconic waterside cascade visible from the trail. I recommend starting straight out of Thomas, where the local coffee shops and breakfast spots make it easy to fuel up before you roll out. If you need a tune-up or rental, Blackwater Bikes in nearby Davis has you covered.
Note: E-bikes are not permitted on this trail.
Monongahela National Forest
- Biking
- Backpacking
- Horseback Riding
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Camping
The Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail Trail flies under the radar, and honestly, that’s part of its charm. Heading out of Richwood‘s Welcome Center Depot after grabbing a coffee at Rosewood Cafe, this former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) route is notably more rugged than the others on this list, so I swap my gravel bike for my mountain bike when I ride here.
While riding along the forested banks of the eponymous three rivers (the Cranberry, Cherry, and Gauley), you’ll pass several small waterfalls and notable remnants of railroad history, such as a now-out-of-place concrete telegraph box. The trail’s highlight comes toward the end: the Woodbine Trestle Bridge and the foreboding 640-ft Sarah’s Tunnel. Unlike other rail trails, the route is currently more of an out-and-back, with no northern trailhead- luckily, there are several camping spots, including a shelter along the trail.
With support from an Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER), Thriving Communities, and Mon Forest Towns ARC POWER grants, work is currently underway to improve the trail, but for now, expect a more adventurous ride that rewards you with solitude and wild surroundings.
Find out the latest Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail Trail information by following the CTRRT Association on Facebook.
Note: E-bikes are not permitted on this trail.