Find the top rated birding trails in Morgantown, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
This trail is fine. I prefer trails with more scenic/nature views. This trail cuts through Greensburg, so not a lot of nature going on. Had to cross a few busy roads.. and this trail does not have very much shade. Otherwise, it was fairly flat and it is a nice trail for those who live in the Greensburg area.
We rode this trail in May 2019 from Happy Valley to Pennsboro. This trail is designated a WV State Park and it is in dismal shape which is too bad because it really has great potential. We rode after a rainy few days so I would expect puddles and mud but this was beyond puddles. Much of the trail is a made up of two single tracks thru grass or gravel so soft that your tires sink. Other sections someone has put down #2 gravel that only a Mtn bike could traverse. For the most part the scenery was nice and we saw several deer. We rode this over the course of a few days hoping each section would be in better shape than the previous...nope. I would NOT recommend this trail.
My son and I attempted to ride the trail from Thomas to Hendricks on Dec. 2,2018. While trying to avoid the deep water filled pot holes in the road I approached the railroad bridge located above Douglas Falls, out of position to travel on the narrow planks covering the ties. I proceeded down the center of the bridge across the railroad ties until my front tire met with a damaged tie about two thirds of the way across. The bike stopped, I flew over the handlebars down through the side of the bridge and hit head first into the steel beam above the stone bridge abutment. I suffered a broken neck, hand and torn rotator cuff, finally landing in the creek below.
My point in writing this is not to ruin anyone's experience on this trail. I have ridden it up and down before and found it to be a wonderful experience, which is why I wanted my son to experience it with me on this trip. The Park Service needs to completely cover the crossties with planking and add guard rails to prevent anyone from falling through.
A friend and I rode the Trail out and back from Morgantown in early April. We enjoyed the ride because of the workout from climbing and the numerous views of Deckers Creek spilling over rocks amid rhododendron.
The trail is paved for the first 3 miles, with frequent ridges in the asphalt. After mile 3 the trail is mostly finely crushed stone. One exception is coarse gravel by the rock quarry.
From milepost 3 to 14 you climb at 2-3% grade, a steady workout. It reminded us of the GAP Trail from Frostburg to Cumberland (although that's paved.) After milepost 14 the trail levels out with occasional rises.
We detoured into Reedsville to get lunch at the DQ. The highway into town had several 4" potholes.
We passed at least 30 riders and 30 walkers / runners on the trail. Glad to see it is well used. We liked it and will ride it again next time we're in town.
Been using TrailLink for a couple yeasr, and always had good experiences. The comments/reviews give the real situation, and for this trail, it is not that great. I feel compelled to give a review.
Got on at Coraoplis trailhead, and went approx 16.5 miles out. The first 11 miles are slightly uphill, enough to make it suck. The crushed limestsone was wet in places where the sun doesnt hit, and it was cratered and bumpy throughout 80%, so my hands went numb early. It didnt help that the ambient temp was 55 and overcast.
The trail is well marked with milestones, so even without GPS on phone, one would know there progress.
The vistas sucked, lots of driving through semi industrial and then small towns, not a lot to see that was exceptional. dont know why this is rated 5 stars, no where near that, 3 stars at best.
I notice that the bad reviews for this trail typically speak of the eastern portion. I have ridden most of the trail, riding various sections at different times. Most recently, my daughter and I rode from the easternmost end to Ellenboro (about 38 miles). We had intended to ride the entire length, but much of this portion has not yet been fully developed. Some sections had been improved since the last time I rode them. However, for now, the only portions of this trail I would recommend are those west of Ellenboro, although the tunnel near West Union is worth seeing and that section has been improved recently. Considering only the western half of this trail, I would rate it behind Greenbrier River, Virginia Creeper, and New River Trail in that order. When fully developed it has the potential to challenge all of them for the top spot in my book.
WE DID THE ENTIRE C&O AND GAP RIDE WITH A GROUP OF 50 RIDERS IN 2007. IT WAS FULLY SUPPORTED AND JUST A WONDERFUL WEEK. WE STARTED IN WASHINGTON AND FINISHED IN BOSTON, PA.(THE TRAIL ALL THE WAY TO PITTSBURG WAS NOT YET OPEN). WE HAD PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE USA INCLUDING CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND ALASKA, AND A YOUNG MAN FROM IRELAND. THE PEOPLE NOT FROM EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI KEPT SAYING THEY COULDN'T BELEIVE HOW BEAUTIFUL THE EASTEN U.S. IS. THEY ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THE EAST AS NEW YORK, PHILLY AND WASHINGTON, D.C.. AND THE ENTIRE RIDE IS EASY ENOUGH FOR A BEGINNER.
I RECOMEND THE G.A.P. AND THE C&O TRIP AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, AND TAKE A WEEK TO DO BOTH TRAILS WITH A GROUP.
The River Bend State Park section (which was all I had time for) was very interesting historically as well as great scenery. The trail was easily navigable with awe-inspiring tunnels that cut through the terrain. With more time I would have liked to have biked west to Parkersburg.
While in the area we decided to walk along this trail. Parked at the lot on top of the hill which is located on Morgans Run Road. This is also the parking lot for Cheat Lake Park. Walk down the hill and there is a small playground with restrooms. The trail runs in each direction. We walked along the lake towards the dam site. At the dam end of the trail (approx one mile from the park area) there are steps and at the top is another parking lot. That parking lot is literally on the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The trail is flat and follows the lake on one side and a wooded hill on the other side.
A nice trial to visit if you're in the area.
We rode it on a couple of sections..We parked at Deal ,road to Big Savage Tunnel & Eastern Continental Divide & little further & back..Then drove to Garrett & parked & rode to Salisbury Viaduct & Meyersdale Train Station,where we stopped . Some neat art work & gift shop. We ended up talking to a volunteer who was Brooke Folk,the local writer who writes about the trail & anyway about 2 weeks later he wrote about us ,which was cool!! He was a very interesting guy.We really enjoyed the trail. Next day parked in Harnedsville & rode to Pinkerton tunnel & little further then back..Had lunch then drove to Ohiopyle & rode about 15 more miles.We like to ride but are more casual riders,maybe 20-30 miles a day. Slight up hill in parts,but not bad.I would recommend getting the Trail Guide book. It is great & has a great map of all the high lights & towns. We will be back to ride other sections..such a great trail,nice towns & nice people..
I really liked this trail. While being a little frustrated on the Pittsburgh city trail, I discovered this one by accident and loved how nice it was. Near Pittsburgh it takes you through some nice Pittsburgh-esqe things.
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