Find the top rated walking trails in Madison, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Did this trail on the first cool late August Sunday afternoon and enjoyed it immensely. Small town flavor with woods, some houses, fields, and some businesses. It wasn’t well marked and we only saw one real sign that designated it as this trail. We parked at the church after asking an employee there if it was OK. He said no problem. As another reviewer said it’s great for a Sunday afternoon pedal.
Just spoke with the Ranger today, August 24, 2025 at the Canyon Rim visitor center and he said the trail was closed. It has been closed for a while because of the bridges are not safe anymore. So cross this one off your list.
I took my gravel bike on this trail and won’t do it again. There’s large stones and branches. I had to carry my bike over several downed trees and several big wash outs. A beautiful ride next to the creek for sure. A great place to hike I’d say. Please don’t think of this as a rail to trail flat ride, it is not.
My daughter n I parked at Ivydale and headed north on the trail, 3 miles up this BEAUTIFUL trail there's pick-nic table under the watchful eye of a gi-normous wooden carved Bigfoot! Five star attraction!
Easy to get to just south of Whitesville, WV; cross Clear Fork at Vest Road for nice parking at the trailhead. Raleigh County did a good job; the bed looks to have larger aggregate underneath a smooth but already hard-packed crushed stone the whole way. Very gentle slope the complete way.
Sights to see are many bridges, farms, tall hills besides the trail, and I even disturbed a flock of wild turkeys, that, yes, contrary to WKRP, they can fly (but very slowly). The waterfall was dry, due to our drought, but should be good again after the snows.
Short Trail app 4miles ,black top through town, then chip gravel through the woods along the elk river, nicely shaded and just a slight grade, 1/2 way on the trail is a clean and well maintained outhouse, ….a very nice part of the elk river trail system.
The best part of this trail is the Nottinghams's Market. Mr/Mrs Nottingham makes chili dogs, chocolate shakes and has a great deal of provisions. It's a must stop! Very gracious and has many items if you are in the middle of the trail.
I ran the Southside Trail starting at the parking lot (across the bridge from Thurmond). I ran out 3.25 miles and came back.
The trail had some water/mud covered sections. These sections weren't long (10-20 yards), but I had to stop and walk around the mud. I had to do this approximately 10 times during my 3.25 miles.
This was closer to trail than rail trail. There were sections with more larger rocks, stumps, roots to be dealt with. Expect to be paying attention to the ground as much as the scenery.
We camped on Elk River in Gassaway. Did out and back rides on the trail from Gassaway (end/beginning) down to near Ivydale then started from other end (Hartland) up to just shy of Ivydale. No services, one old convenience store near trail in Duck. Surface is crushed stone and in very good condition. Hardly saw a soul. Lots of deer. Be sure you bring what you need with you. Follows river quite closely all the way.
Beautifully taken care of cross over bridges, you do come a little close to some houses but only a little bit
We rode part of the trail from Duck to just south of Frametown. Nice surface and well maintained.
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