Find the top rated bike trails in Parkersburg, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Little Kanawha Connector Trail stretches west to east across Parkersburg, a city located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers in West Virginia. The trail is a combination of...
The Great Guernsey Trail runs for 6 miles from the eastern edge of Cambridge to Lore City. The paved trail occupies a former CSX railroad corridor through rural wooded countryside. Because it...
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is one of southeast Ohio’s hidden trail gems. Tucked into the foothills of Appalachia, this 20-mile trail gives a sampling of the best the Buckeye State has to offer:...
The Old Town Creek Trail is a short but scenic pathway in Logan, the gateway to the Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio. The trail links the county fairgrounds not far from Logan’s downtown to...
Marietta’s River Trail runs for more than 3 miles along the Muskingum River through the city situated just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. The paved trail passes through Marietta’s quaint...
The Gallia County Hike & Bike Trail follows an old railroad right-of-way between Bidwell and Gallipolis, at the Ohio River. Though are plans to develop a total of 28 miles (to include Vinton County...
The Old Town Creek Trail is a short but scenic pathway in Logan, the gateway to the Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio. The trail links the county fairgrounds not far from Logan’s downtown to...
Marietta’s River Trail runs for more than 3 miles along the Muskingum River through the city situated just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. The paved trail passes through Marietta’s quaint...
The Little Kanawha Connector Trail stretches west to east across Parkersburg, a city located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers in West Virginia. The trail is a combination of...
The Great Guernsey Trail runs for 6 miles from the eastern edge of Cambridge to Lore City. The paved trail occupies a former CSX railroad corridor through rural wooded countryside. Because it...
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is one of southeast Ohio’s hidden trail gems. Tucked into the foothills of Appalachia, this 20-mile trail gives a sampling of the best the Buckeye State has to offer:...
The Gallia County Hike & Bike Trail follows an old railroad right-of-way between Bidwell and Gallipolis, at the Ohio River. Though are plans to develop a total of 28 miles (to include Vinton County...
The Great Guernsey Trail runs for 6 miles from the eastern edge of Cambridge to Lore City. The paved trail occupies a former CSX railroad corridor through rural wooded countryside. Because it...
Marietta’s River Trail runs for more than 3 miles along the Muskingum River through the city situated just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. The paved trail passes through Marietta’s quaint...
The Little Kanawha Connector Trail stretches west to east across Parkersburg, a city located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers in West Virginia. The trail is a combination of...
The Old Town Creek Trail is a short but scenic pathway in Logan, the gateway to the Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio. The trail links the county fairgrounds not far from Logan’s downtown to...
The Gallia County Hike & Bike Trail follows an old railroad right-of-way between Bidwell and Gallipolis, at the Ohio River. Though are plans to develop a total of 28 miles (to include Vinton County...
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is one of southeast Ohio’s hidden trail gems. Tucked into the foothills of Appalachia, this 20-mile trail gives a sampling of the best the Buckeye State has to offer:...
Sorry but I'm maybe not as generous in my review as other trail users. Started in Athens near Habitat for Humanity. Only 4 parking spots here. The American Legion tolerates parking. That comes from a local who I talked to upon arrival. Parked there because the site map says water and bathrooms are here. Nope. A mile north is a park/baseball diamonds. No water or bathrooms. Few porta-pots along trail but no free water until you get to Robbins Crossing/Hocking College. Oh yea the fountain beside the trail with a sign proclaiming the evils of bottled, store bought water...not even turned on!! Luckily there are many hydrates in the parking lot. Nelsonville end does need signs for out of towners. The only one is for Rocky Shoe Store's restaurant The Grill. Again a local told me there are restrooms...on the third floor of the store!
Scenery, beautiful. Trail is truly in the "back country" very little crossings of busy roads. There are numerous crossings for Hanley Run, a true single lane road (?).
So, all in all, 4.5-5 for scenery and maintenance of trail; 2 stars for lack of water, amenities.
My wife and I rode part of the trail from Nelsonville out about 7 mi. Trail looks to be well maintained, there was a downed tree over the trail about 3 mi out but was able able to get over it looks like they had been working on removing it . Over all the trail was great with pretty good shade would for sure ride it again.
I am rating this based on my experience only. Riding mountain bikes..started at the end of the trail, around mile 70 went about 8 miles in and turned around.
The trail started out very muddy and then after that we were riding mostly on grass, although the ground was hard as if it was previously paved so it wasnt an impossible pedal. Not very scenic in the parts I saw, riding mostly alongside a highway and near homes.
I would not recommend this trail
This is our local rail trail, so we use it because it is convenient for biking with the family. We have covered from North Bend State Park to the Eastern Terminus near Wolf Summit on hybrid bikes and a trailer for our two small children.
The Good: The section between Ellenboro and North Bend State Park is beautiful! Surface is good, very scenic, a joyous experience! From Central Station to Smithburg has been re-surfaced this year, and is also very nice. Central Station Tunnel is now well surfaced and passable. Tunnels in general are really cool! The kids get a kick out of them. I like the fact that there is little concern with road traffic, especially with the children in tow.
The Bad: While the section b/w Ellenboro and North Bend State Park is great, it is also frequented by horses. With horses comes manure...that is sometimes impossible to dodge. Trail surface around Central Station is in progress (uneven, industrial gravel, etc). Trail surface east of Smithburg is fair until you get past the Long Run Tunnell, and then things get iffy quickly. The surface between Long Run Rd and West Salem is non-existent in places, there is a large slip between miles 61-63. The trail through that section has a slight uphill grade, which we definitely felt while pulling a trailer and a tag-along bike through tall grass and mud. The trail surface is also horrible in places, muddy, lots of rocks and debris, etc from East Salem to the Eastern terminus in Wolf Summit. Plan accordingly.
We will keep riding this trail because it is local. It's a great opportunity to get our nephews out and to explore, have adventures, etc. There is an opportunity for some school projects down the road based on our adventures. However, we also look forward to getting somewhere with some asphalt or finer crushed rock as pulling our kids in the trailer is difficult on the current surfaces of certain areas.
My husband and I rode this trail today. The last review of this trail was written some time ago... so I wanted to update those who are considering this trail. The construction is complete and the trail is open! Pleasant ride although there is some " road noise" as it is located along a roadway. There are a few road crossings but they are in low traffic areas. The trail boasts numerous eating area with shelter. Overall we were pleased with the trail. It is very well maintained!
In April 2017 a friend and I rode the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway from west of Athens to Nelsonville (about 12 miles each way). The trail is paved and generally good (occasional bumps from roots). Route is shaded and follows the Hocking River with mile markers every half mile. Bluebells and trillium were putting on a show - thanks to the folks who planted them! At Nelsonville the trail peters out - would be nice to have directional sign to Fullbrook Cafe or other eateries. Bring hydration as nowhere to stop in between towns.
Nice ride. Trail well taken care of. Started at Hocking College parking lot. A little difficult to follow directions to parking lot. By accident we ended up at college parking lot along side trail. Beautiful scenery at this time of the year. Gorgeous wildflowers all around trail. Only rode 10 miles. Look forward to starting in Athens and seeing that end of the trail.
I try to ride the Hockhocking trail at least two times a year. It is one of my favorite rides and catching it on a weekday when it is not so busy, especially on the Athens side is great BUT catching it when the weather and spring wildflowers were showcasing the very "Best Of" made for the perfect ride. The trilliums and wild phlox were in full bloom as were the fields of bluebells planted along the bikeway giving the surreal appearance of riding on clouds. Much work has been done in maintaining the trails right-of-way clearing trees and brush and to the trail itself with the freshly painted mile markers done with a Native American style. (kudos to the folks that keep this a 5star trail!) Me and my 75-year old friend Dave rode from the trail head at the outskirts of Athens to Nelsonville and back. It is almost a 40 mile ride but I usually tack on the difference to make a legitimate 40-miler. It never fails that I observe something new every time I travel this trail... this time, I saw several concrete structures used to support the old rail line. I like the history stuff associated with rail trails and try to envision what it must've been like when the earliest Ohioans used these canal and rail lines to transport goods and materials into the edges of the new west. I look forward to at least one more drive (almost 2 hours one-way) to the Hockhocking Adena and chance to ride this GREAT rail trail!
This trail could really be a nice riding experience. Its maintenance is very spotty. It does have a number of tunnels which is unique. The trail in a number of areas is not maintained. I believe that the multi-use feature deteriorates the trail. ATV and horseback riding results in some of the damage.
Today 10/11/16 traveled thirteen miles on Rt 50 from Ellenboro, WV toward Clarksburg, WV to Central Station Exit. Then went about two miles to Tunnel road on right. Went about half mile to trail entrance on right. From trail entrance to tunnel #6 was about three to four hundred yards. Trail was muddy in places due to recent rail. Inside tunnel was smooth. Lights are needed to go through the tunnel. The tunnel is straight and you can see light at the end. Tunnel road is now being used by fracking companies and there are flaggers to go through. It probably would be better to wait till they are done but I had driven for 45 min to get there and they were very helpful in letting me pass. Nice tunnel to see.
Started in Athens behind Aarons. In a few places trail could be better marked, but managed to get out of town. Trail is mostly through deep woods so is nicely shaded, although also means trail is littered in places with twigs and leaves. Nice to be able to ride 20 miles (each way) with no major road crossings. Bicycle pump station at about mile 7; otherwise not a lot to see until you get to Hocking College and Nelsonville.
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