Wanted to find a flat trail that was paved because of all the rain we've had lately. Noticed this rail trail come up on geocaching.com because of all the new caches placed nearby...so off I headed. This trail was great but I'm sure glad it wasn't too hot today, not much shade along the way! I will be headed back soon to finish the trail with my dog.

I rode the Greater Wheeling trail today and found it to be surprisingly better than I had anticipated. Don't judge the trail by the industrial areas that you drive by to get to it because it is far more scenic. Park at the Pike Island lock and dam, which is located at 40-09.203N and 080-41.881W, and follow the paved trail south toward the I-70 and I-470 bridges. There are particularly nice stretches with great river views including the impressive dam itself. You will likely see several barges working their way upriver as you ride. And what surprised me most was the abundance of deer - they apparently come down out of the hills to drink at the river so have a camera ready. I've ridden over 1,500 miles of rails-to-trails and the Greater Wheeling trail has far better signage than any others that I've ridden. Most of the signs relate the history of the area and of local business and are actually interesting to stop and read. You can continue south through the riverfront area downtown but the signage stops at the I-470 bridge. There isn't much to see south of there although you can ride to the southern terminus at 48th and Water Streets located at 40-02.004N and 080-43.737W. From the dam to this point and back is 15.7 miles. From there you can head over to the Hempfield Viaduct located at 40-04.393N and 080-42.648W. Originally built in 1904 for the B&O railroad, it is certainly a highlight of the trail. Those who continue east will find the eastern terminus near 40-02.813N and 080-39.843W although this is approximate as I didn't ride that far east...I just wanted to see the riverfront and the viaduct. If you just want to see the viaduct, park near 40-03.964N and 080-41.604W as it is only a 5-minute ride from there and would be extremely creepy just after sunset.

Any trail with riverfront scenery, a dam, a tunnel, and great signs deserves at least four stars!

May 7, 2011, GREAT NEWS!! Started a ride North from Wheeling Heritage Port and discovered that I could ride all the was to Wellsburg.. The Brooke Pioneer Trail is now complete. The trail is completely paved and very flat.

i started my ride on the island after crossing the historic suspension bridge i rode the trail from down town wheeling north to beach bottom the paved trail ends but i continued on dirt trail through woods along the river for about 3 miles then picked up a paved trail again and continued north all the way to north as far as it went and it dead ended into a park in wellsburg there was a few jogs on the road but i was able to follow pretty easy i actually think the trail name changed twice but its all the same path and it was a fun ride with lots on places to stop warwood is a nice town i saw historic warwood tool they were painting that day any way after the ride north i traveled south to benwood it got a little smelly by the wheeling water plant but all in all the wheeling bike path is a great ride from 1 end to the other with lots of places to stop i rode this trail several times when i was in town visiting family this was another trail that left me wanting more and i will ride again next time im in town i also recommend this trail to anyone

Riding the Wheeling Heritage trail itself is nice, but watch out if the Wheeling Heritage Port is busy with a festival or an event… The place can be quite bike unfriendly… The main trail along the Ohio river goes right through this Port area, and it’s difficult to get around the Port area when an event is going on. I been stopped by the city Police and told to get off my bike and turn around, not being allowed to continue on while an event was going on at the Heritage Port area. The reason I’m writing this review is because again just recently my friend and I were harassed by event participants for just trying to get through the trail there while an event was going on. I’m personally going to start to avoid this Heritage Port area, and turn around before I get to this problem area.

"This largely straight and flat trail has pleasant views of the ""old Ohio River"" and interesting views of old town Wheeling, WV. The trail goes through town. There are many interesting side stops. It's very safe and clean. There's little or no wildlife."

"Wheeling has a beautiful trail! Wheeling to my surprise was a Beautiful City. The trail takes you thru industrial (but Clean) areas, thru a nice city river front park area & beautiful new & old residential areas - all along the Beautiful Ohio River. The north end of the trail is Pike Island Dam & Locks. You can watch boats & barges go in & out of the locks. A fun few eateries along the way that serve outdoors."

"I've ridden the Wheeling Trail many, many times & enjoy it tremendously. A wonderfully smooth, paved & straight trail that runs along the banks of the Ohio River most of the way. It's an easy trail to walk, blade or ride with only a couple of relatively short grades encountered. If you start at the north access at the Pike Island Lock & Dam it's at most about a 1/2 degree grade downhill the whole way & vice-versa if you start at the southern-most point.
Expect to encounter most trail-type activities(walking, biking,etc.)There are many families that walk & push baby strollers and quite a few seniors walking & biking at a leisurely pace. The people here are friendly - expect eye contact & a smiling nod or greeting when passing someone by. Since this trail runs along the linear edge of Wheeling, it's safe and you are never more than a few hundred yards from a store, restraunt, etc. There are also a few park benches placed along the route to rest & view the scenery."

"I grew up cycling in the Wheeling area during the 70's and it was nice to return home years later to see the city committed to cycling with two trails. You can ride along the bluff overlooking the Ohio River from South Wheeling to Pike Island Dam, where there are restrooms and can watch barge traffic go through the locks. You can add to the 8.5 miles by following the bike lane through Wheeling out 16th Street and follow another trail out Big Wheeling Creek, through the old Rock Point Tunnel and out to Elm Grove and back. Or, you could continue through Elm Grove, out Kruger Street, cross the creek at the bridge, make a left, and you can continue with a beautiful, 8 mile+ road ride out Big Wheeling Creek road to Burches Run Lake, a relatively flat ride along the creek bed that gets somewhat hilly further out. All combined, you can enjoy a 30-mile pleasent ride."