Explore the best rated trails in Petersburg, WV. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the West Virginia Northern Rail-Trail and Rocky Point Trail. With more than 34 trails covering 4268 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.
In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show,
I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way.
First stop was the Cardinal Greenway. Next I transited to N.VA via Ohio, Pennsylvania,
W. Va & Maryland. Oct 27 2022, I took My first ride on the "Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
National Historical Park" towpath (here after 'C&O'). By comparison to other trails I've
done, this trail is packed gravel, so a change of wheels/tires was in order. The surface
reminded Me of the Forest Service roads at De Soto NF, so I felt right at home. My start
point was Carderock Recreation Area. The access road actually goes through a tunnel
'under' the canal & towpath! This is milepost 10.5. From there I went west toward mp 16.6,
Swain Lock (lock 21). On the way you will encounter 'the Great Falls' of the Potomac. Stop
and check out the walkway to the Olmsted Island & Falls Overlook. Spectacular, and this is
just 10 miles west of Wasington DC! I then visited the Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center, then
returned to Carderock for lunch. After a break, I headed east getting as far as mp 7 (lock 7),
before returning to Carderock. I was running out of time, & decided to save the rest of the
east leg for another day. [21 miles total, and lots of sightseeing!]
After visiting the 24th "International Paper Modelers' Convention" 2022 (the point of the road trip)
on Sunday, Oct. 30th, I decided to Return to the 'C&O', and complete the eastern leg. Starting at
the Lock 8 parking area, walking the bike down a flight of 'stairs', I started the ride at mp 8.3 in the
Seven Locks area, heading east. Soon encountered the Capital Cresent trail, which crosses the C&O
on an old railway bridge, then runs parallel into the city. Just for comparison, I rode the Cresent, which
is asphalt, into town, and the C&O out. With a brief hour of sightseeing by bike around the National Mall
(because I was there) then back to the start. 3 hrs/22 miles. Will return again, as this was just a recon
ride [the whole C&O is 184.5 miles] I only scratched the surface!
Deep, sloshy, watery mud track; not even a trail. What a shame the National Park hasn’t improved this area. The GAP trail going northwest toward Pittsburgh is a dream to ride.
This is a must ride trail. Gravel path is well maintained, better than many asphalt trails I've been on in fact. Trees, rivers, waterfalls, butterflies, bridges 100ft+ above the canopy, if you enjoy nature, you can't miss this trail!
This is the best trail I have rode. Putts burgh to Cumberland md with many bridges and tunnels along the way. Great “patch towns” along the way. Connie to to cno canal and goes to dc
Aug 2022. Bicycled from Parsons to Elkins (22 miles) and back. The views were great and there were many changes along the way: small town, forest, rural homes, creek-side, farm-side, and historic downtown. More than half is shaded by trees. The path is mostly off-road dedicated trail, with a few segments on lightly-used rural roads. The trail surface is mostly dry, solid dirt with a thin layer of fine gravel; we found it easy. The grade is flat in the southern half and sloped north of Montrose, though never difficult because it's railroad grade. There are no amenities between Elkins and Parsons, so bring water.
Although there is an official two-mile trail closure between Montrose and Parsons due to Corridor H freeway construction, we went around the barriers and rode through with no issues other than a bumpy ride over coarse gravel.
It's hard to get accurate status for this trail. The Facebook pages are old, and the official web site is stale: It says there is construction from Gilman to Kerans, but in reality, that segment is now fully open.
Definitely worth your time!
Good surface. Rode it on a road bike with 700X32 tires, no problems. Pretty water falls and rock outcropings.
Rode from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. Great bridges and tunnels. Slight uphill until the continental divided. Then hold on for a few miles. Connects to cno which I did not do yet.
Attempted this trail back in July and it was a HUGE mistake on my part. I’m sure that if I left earlier and had a higher-end MTB and more experience, I would have been fine. Unfortunately for my skill level and bike limitations the entire 1.5miles I traveled were an absolute nightmare and I would NOT attempt again without a Sherpa and a better bike. This is a single-track trail and what I would consider a black diamond level trail - NOT a beginner trail as other resources have pointed out. It’s very thick with growth, rocks, roots and tech.
Started in Hendricks - The climb is not bad at all, just long. Make sure you have good gravel tires or MTB and climb is very well worth the rewarding return trip back down with plenty of beautiful scenery. There are two large trees down about the halfway point but plenty of room to dismount and go around. Remember to take lots of water.
A nice ride. The hub is a good place to start.
My husband and I rode from Homestead to Cumberland, with stops in Connelsville and Rockwood. Trail in excellent condition and adequate water stops. The slight upward grade going east on day 2 worth it, after Continental Divide on day 3 was all down hill. Took shuttle back to Pittsburgh, wish the train got in before 1130pm because that would have been a more economical option.
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