Description
The Wheeling Heritage Trails are known locally as two trails: the Ohio River Trail and the Wheeling Creek Trail. The route is flat and paved, and beautiful signs along the way provide a self-guided tour of Wheeling's past.
The Ohio River Trail segment runs from Pike Island Locks and Dam in Clearview to 48th Street at Water Street in South Wheeling. The trail provides an urban escape and an opportunity to soak up local history and modern industry in this historical city. The route follows the eastern bank of the Ohio River, once the lifeblood of the city's manufacturing industry. Barges still go up and down the river, and with good timing and patience you can watch one progress through the series of locks. Take a break to rest on a bench and you will be rewarded with a splendid view of the river and wildlife.
The Wheeling Creek Trail segment begins in downtown Wheeling at Heritage Port and heads east to Elm Grove. Along the way you'll cross the Hempfield Viaduct high above Wheeling Creek and pass through Hempfield Tunnel. This segment of the Wheeling Heritage Trails is less urban and meanders along a wooded corridor.
Parking and Trail Access
To get to the starting point from downtown Wheeling, travel north on River Road and look for Pike Island Locks and Dam on the left. The parking lot is in front of the dam. The endpoint is located at the intersection of 48th Street and Water Street in downtown Wheeling.
June 8th 2012 ride
By
abn2nds
in
June, 2012
We did this ride on a sunny day after driving over from Indianapolis on our way to Mt. Morris PA for the MX race there on Sat. Excellent weather, saw a TON of groundhogs on the ride! The trail starting at 48th Street was well marked with signage regarding ...
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Nice ride after the rains.
By
scrabblehounds
in
October, 2011
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 ...
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May, 2011
By
Trail Jogger
in
May, 2011
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 ...
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