Narrow Gauge Trail (WV)

The Narrow Gauge Trail in Babcock State Park follows the gentle grade of what was the Manns Creek Railway, which connected Clifftop to Sewell, until it closed in 1956. The trail is breathtaking, but be warned: If you are not an accomplished mountain biker, you should consider it a hiking trail. The name rings true, as the trail is very narrow, tends to sit less than a foot away from a cliff over a shallow creek and is occasionally blocked by boulders, forcing you to scale the cliff a bit on trail detours.

Before heading out on the trail, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the Glade Creek Grist Mill, arguably the most photographed site in West Virginia. Built in 1976 from parts of older mills found all over West Virginia, its design is based on the 1890 Stoney Creek Grist Mill. The Glad Creek Mill is fully operational and offers park guests freshly ground buckwheat, whole-wheat flour and cornmeal during the summer (closed in winter).

From Cabin #13, which you can rent from Babcock State Park, it is almost 1 mile downhill to the official start of the Narrow Gauge Trail. Along the trail, Manns Creek provides the soundtrack while you travel through a beautiful example of a typical West Virginia mountain forest, with secondary hardwood and pine trees peppered among rhododendron bushes. The trail ends between the Babcock State Park campgrounds and the stables.

Parking and Trail Access

To reach either end of the trail from US 19, take the US 60 Exit and head east for 10 miles to State Route 41, heading south. The trail can be accessed from the campground, which is 2 miles south of US 60 at Clifftop (the trail begins on the service road between the campgrounds and the stables). This entrance is open only in summer.

The trail also can be accessed from the main park entrance, a little farther south on SR 41, behind Cabin #13. Follow the signs to Cabin #13 from the entrance. Go behind the Glade Creek Grist Mill and follow that road (Old Sewell Road) past the cabins to the official start of the trail at the fork of the creek. The trail is downhill from the cabins to the campground.

Traces of the Railroad, Rushing Waters

October 2016 ileana53

I hiked the Narrow Gauge trail Oct. 9 and enjoyed the scenery as well as the traces of old railroad ties and the rushing waters of the creek. As I left the trail to go back to my cabin, I missed the sound of the water. Compared to the Wilderness and Triple Creek trails at Babcock State Part, the Narrow Gauge Trail was interesting.

Boring hike

April 2016 edkennedywv

It is as advertised - the path of an old narrow gauge rail. But it's a dull hike. On one side the mountain the trail hugs rises, and below you can hear beautiful Glade Creek but most of the time you can't see it. 1.5 miles out there's a notch waterfall at the switchback as you descend to the creek, where you find a suspension bridge on the old railroad tresses pylons. When you get to the end and realize you have three miles of boredom back to parking, you'll let out a audible groan. There are so many better trails in the area.

West Virginia

2 Reviews