Explore the best rated trails in Monterey, VA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Rocky Point Trail and Red Creek Trail . With more than 35 trails covering 319 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Being a native plant enthusiast, walking this trail is disturbing to me because of all the invasive plants that edge the path. Instead of enjoying the greenery, I have to look away from it to have pleasure on this walk.
Some lovely scenery and wildlife, especially wetland species. Definitely a wilder feel than many. There are several issues.
The first is the trail surface. While impediments like downed trees are obviously taken care of, the trail surface itself doesn’t look to have been renewed since the trail was first built. The surface varies from fine gravel to thick gravel to mud to grass. Grass is the dominant surface. There are places where horse hoof and ATV tire prints have hardened into speed reduction bumps, which are jarring. Don’t assume you will be able to maintain a speed similar to other rail trails. Having completed the trail from Glady to Durbin, we ended up riding the gravel road back to our vehicle in Glady - more climbing, but a good trade off. For reference, we’re running 2.0” (50mm) and 2.35” tires on rigid steel framed bikes.
The second issue is lack of amenities. There are no obvious campsites, no pit toilets, no wells. This undeveloped aspect will likely appeal to some even if the trail surface doesn’t. Probably due to the undeveloped nature of the trail, and the fact that we rode on weekdays, we saw no other trail users this trip.
The last issue is connectivity. Currently, combining this trail with the nearby Greenbrier River Trail means a road ride of at least 16 miles. Bridge the gap with trail and make improvements to the West Fork and you’d have a trail system of approximately 118 miles long, which would bring many more riders to the area.
Did this over 2 days stopping to camp in Watoga State Park. I don’t recommend paying for a river view camp site because we did and couldn’t see the river. We went from Cass to Lewisburg. Fairly well maintained trail but a few rougher patches and narrow lanes. Mostly shaded in Sept which was nice in the heat. Mostly downhill this direction but on gravel somehow it always feel like uphill. The tunnels and bridges were a fun part of this ride. Water available on the trail was cool and tasted great. My filter failed so this was a pleasant surprise.
This is a different type of trail that we normally ride. Normal to us is a wide paved or hard packed surface. Half of this is fairly wide hard packed or loose gravel. There are areas that are single or double lanes from a foot wide or more. For old folks like us it was challenging but not overwhelming The trail does travel next to a river, rock walls, forests, open fields and through cow pastures. Yep, cow pastures. The cows in the middle of the trail are easy to see and navigate around. They don’t seem to mind passersby’s. Their plops are more of a challenge, they are everywhere. Again, manageable. The biggest bother to me was opening the several gates along the way. You just can’t get a rhythm going. All that factored in the scenery, cows, deer, and eagles along the way was way cool. Even though it wasn’t the type of trail we normally ride, the difference was was both challenging and enjoyable. We rode the complete length. challenge challenge
We rode the portion of the trail for 20 miles from Marlinton up toward Cass for a 40 mile round trip. Trail riding doesn’t get much better than this. The surface was mostly double track crushed gravel except for about a mile of asphalt leaving Marlinton. It was in excellent condition with no rocks, ruts or washed out areas. North of the tunnel the brush along the trail could use some trimming. During this morning ride on a beautiful day we encountered only 13 cyclists (1 on an e-bike), no walkers and 2 deer. No other wildlife. Beautiful scenic, forested route you would expect following a river through West Virginia. Only one restroom facility and no food or drinks. Now one of our favorite trails.
We biked the Jackson River Scenic Trail in a day, out and back. Beautiful trail! We stayed at Rosewood Manor in Covington, which gave us easy access to trail head. We were so hungry biking and stumbled across “Restaurant” sign, near a gazebo. We biked a bit (1/2mike) crossing an old, but safe bridge and up a bit of a hill to discover the golf course bar/grill. Good bar food, friendly staff, cold beer. We were so happy to find food! Check it out! We highly recommend it!
It’s not difficult climb on a decent mountain bike or gravel bike but take two water bottle equivalents and be prepared for single track and rough surface. Not a technical ride but some narrow paths through vegetation in summer. Fun to dodge the wet potholes on the upper access road. Full suspension helps on the way down to ease the constant vibrations. But a sweet downhill. Anchor anything that could vibrate off. We lost part to a tire pump that we needed to fix a flat but unbelievably a hiking couple spotted this little missing piece of black plastic and gave it to us. They then rescued another set of bikers caught in a sudden downpour. This is more a reflection on the good folk of locals than the trail! Love that Mountaineer spirit! RIDE THIS TRAIL! Enjoyable for all levels with decent experience. Meaning - don’t just pop on it with an e-bike.
It’s not difficult climb on a decent mountain bike or gravel bike but take two water bottle equivalents and be prepared for single track and rough surface. Not a technical ride but some narrow paths through vegetation in summer. Fun to dodge the wet potholes on the upper access road. Full suspension helps on the way down to ease the constant vibrations. But a sweet downhill. Anchor anything that could vibrate off. We lost part to a tire pump that we needed to fix a flat but unbelievably a hiking couple spotted this little missing piece of black plastic and gave it to us. They then rescued another set of bikers caught in a sudden downpour. This is more a reflection on the good folk of locals than the trail! Love that Mountaineer spirit! RIDE THIS TRAIL! Enjoyable for all levels with decent experience. Meaning - don’t just pop on it with an e-bike.
TomPark,Thanks for the good review - your unusual rear bike rack caught my eye as well. Would you please tell me more about it and where purchased? Constance
What a gem, started in Interval, very nice bathrooms to change in with a water station. The trail surface is well groomed. Gentle grade, mostly shaded, wildlife along the trail. good for all abilities.
This is absolutely worth the drive from near or far. The tunnel is nearly one mile long and nothing less than amazing. Kids will be astounded by the tiny waterfalls, dripping water, dark tunnel, and Tarzan vines everywhere. Take a headlight for them and you’ll be a hero. You can easily shorten the hike and get rid of almost all the elevation change by starting at the East trailhead and turning around after going through the tunnel. If part of your group want to finish the whole trail, the others can sit on a bench a few hundred feet outside of the tunnel. Enjoy!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
