Find the top rated running trails in South Charleston, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
Could be a really nice trail, both wooden bridges are missing planks. A tree is down on the trail. The asphalt is pretty rough.
The trail head is at a large gravel parking lot to the right of the post office with a bulletin board depicting the trail route. The trail is double track, suitable for most bikes but not for three wheelers as the tracks are narrow with a berm in the middle. Crushed and packed stone with occasional sketchy spots. Would love to see the trail graded flat with more rolled stone to create a wider lane to accommodate handicap users.
We rode parts of this trail the week of June 22, 2025. The trail is remote (not much cell service) which we like. My wife suffered a blowout not far from the bigfoot. That shortened our ride that day. The trail surface is decent for the most part but there are sections where there are pretty large rocks/stones that you have to watch out for. My wife's blowout was due to one of these. No big hills which is nice. The 2nd day we rode from Gassaway to Strange Creek. Saw no other humans either day however it was pretty hot both days we rode. The big takeaway for us was the trailheads need a lot of work. For the most part, they were just parking lots. No water, no covered shelter or picnic table and no restroom at the trailhead. (restrooms were scattered over the trail, however). Shoutout to Trailhead Farm Meats & More and Bigfoot Braxxies in Gassaway for helping us with the flat tire and yummy pepperoni rolls.
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.
We biked the gorgeous Meadow River Trail, starting in Nallen. The trail is very remote, scenic, and well-maintained. It’s a long gradual uphill climb, near a road for about 2 1/2 miles, then upriver through completely undeveloped area for another 6+ miles. The trail officially ends after a trestle that crosses the Meadow River at around 9 miles. We went an additional 3 miles on slightly rough, but not difficult, old railroad grade with a variable surface of fine gravel and dirt. We finally had to stop at an old unrepaired railroad trestle and private property signs. The route downhill was lovely and easy. Total trip was 24 miles. Things to note: Parking at the Nallen trailhead was easy and felt safe. There are no bathrooms or water, so plan accordingly. space parking in Nallen was easy and felt safe. There are no bathrooms or water, so plan accordingly. Craft
While in the New River Gorge area, I decided to bik this new trail, and it exceeded my expectations. Great Surface with two river crossings and great river views along the trail. I wish the water level would have been higher with all the rapids.
First bridge on trail from parking lot by Thomas do it center. Bridge is rotting on the edge on both sides of bridge. Its dangerous because weeds are growing hiding some of the rotten areas of bridge. Also the trail from thomas do it center to 4th avenue needs to repaved or repaired. I ride my bike on trail and it is a very bumpy ride. If I am riding from spring valley to town I usually ride 160 to town and bike trail back to spring valley. One trip riding on the trail is enough for me.
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.
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