Find the top rated birding trails in Wheeling, 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.
The Zoar Valley Trail (aka the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail) has received a significant improvement. In the past the trail was nothing but a primitive footpath once you headed south from the Zoarville Station Bridge/Rt 800. As of October 31, 2024, you can now take a new, exceptionally well constructed trail the two miles to the Dover Dam. (OK, so it isn’t officially open as of that date but should be any day now.) It is a very scenic ride especially in the Fall. Once you are at the dam you’ll just continue on the existing dam access road that will take you to the end of the trail at Rt. 416 north of New Philadelphia. If you go any further south it will be on well traveled roads with hills and limited line of sights. (I might suggest Rt 800 to New Philadelphia via Dover. It might be longer but at least the road has “share” signs and is relatively flat.) The trick to getting to the improved trail once you cross the Zoarville Station Bridge, again if you are headed south, is to head straight to the metal gate you’ll see a short distance ahead. Do not turn right onto the primitive trail before the gate. Once at the gate you can go around it to the right or simply pull the chain that appears to lock the gate (it isn’t) through the hoops on the gate and open it. Once past the gate keep going straight ahead on the paved road for approximately 150 feet and you’ll see the new trail to the right. I have biked the Ohio & Erie Towpath trail from Cleveland to Rte 800 many times over the years and this new section may very well be one of the nicest.
Not only does the nice looking pump with all the tools at the parking not work, it let the air out of my bike tire. It was useable when I arrived, should not have trusted it. No ride today.
When heading to Boston from Pittsburgh on the GAP, you can use this "loop" option to avoid climbing a short, relatively steep area near the end of River Ridge Road, although you will be pretty close to Boston at that point, anyway. Taking the loop will get you to the Boston Bridge in a short time while riding through some industrial areas and neighborhoods. You will encounter very little vehicle traffic, if any at all. Most of the paved areas have been recently re-paved (2024) which makes the ride smooth for the most part. I use the loop just for a change of pace at times.
Time-wise, it makes no difference.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
My wife had a yen to do a through ride and chose the GAP trail as her goal.
We spent 5 days on the trail, starting in Pittsburgh, and finishing in Cumberland. Even with drizzling rain on several portions of the ride, we both count this as one of the best we ever rode.
The trail surface is so consistently even, it is easy rolling, especially once you cross the Eastern Continental Divide, where it steepens a bit, downhill. There was literally no trash to be found along the trail, and any debris from trees, like limbs, was quickly removed by the crews that do that. There were times when we rode many miles without seeing another rider, or crossing a road. Along the way we noticed many places to take a break, with benches or shelters, and near each trailhead you will find a bike maintenance stand, with tools and air pump. We stayed in Pittsburgh, Boston, Connersville, Confluence, Meyersdale, and finished in Cumberland. All the lodgings were very nice, and we left our vehicle at our hotel in Pittsburgh ( paid to park it there ) and hired a livery service to get us back from Cumberland to the steel city. If you are considering this trail, go do it ! It was great.
My wife had a yen to do a through ride and chose the GAP trail as her goal.
We spent 5 days on the trail, starting in Pittsburgh, and finishing in Cumberland. Even with drizzling rain on several portions of the ride, we both count this as one of the best we ever rode.
The trail surface is so consistently even, it is easy rolling, especially once you cross the Eastern Continental Divide, where it steepens a bit, downhill. There was literally no trash to be found along the trail, and any debris from trees, like limbs, was quickly removed by the crews that do that. There were times when we rode many miles without seeing another rider, or crossing a road. Along the way we noticed many places to take a break, with benches or shelters, and near each trailhead you will find a bike maintenance stand, with tools and air pump. We stayed in Pittsburgh, Boston, Connersville, Confluence, Meyersdale, and finished in Cumberland. All the lodgings were very nice, and we left our vehicle at our hotel in Pittsburgh ( paid to park it there ) and hired a livery service to get us back from Cumberland to the steel city. If you are considering this trail, go do it ! It was great.
My wife had a yen to do a through ride and chose the GAP trail as her goal.
We spent 5 days on the trail, starting in Pittsburgh, and finishing in Cumberland. Even with drizzling rain on several portions of the ride, we both count this as one of the best we ever rode.
The trail surface is so consistently even, it is easy rolling, especially once you cross the Eastern Continental Divide, where it steepens a bit, downhill. There was literally no trash to be found along the trail, and any debris from trees, like limbs, was quickly removed by the crews that do that. There were times when we rode many miles without seeing another rider, or crossing a road. Along the way we noticed many places to take a break, with benches or shelters, and near each trailhead you will find a bike maintenance stand, with tools and air pump. We stayed in Pittsburgh, Boston, Connersville, Confluence, Meyersdale, and finished in Cumberland. All the lodgings were very nice, and we left our vehicle at our hotel in Pittsburgh ( paid to park it there ) and hired a livery service to get us back from Cumberland to the steel city. If you are considering this trail, go do it ! It was great.
If you have researched the GAP at all, you already know this was among the first trails inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame. Many riders continue to go back to ride it again. That speaks volumes to the experience of riding this trail. If you are an end-to-end rider, and not a camper, you will need accommodations. I would like to highly recommend Cardinal's Roost B&B in Rockwood, PA. You will not find more amiable hosts than Jennifer and Chris. The accommodations are spotless, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. The breakfast is out of a 5-star restaurant. They have a huge garage to store your bikes with plenty of space to do maintenance if need be. Jennifer and Chris are bicyclists themselves so they understand needs of cyclists. If passing through Rockwood on the GAP or just enjoying the beautiful scenery, you cannot go wrong with Cardinal’s Roost.
Well maintained and cool on hot days. Watch for signs to see the covered bridge and stream just off the trail. Plant off stopping points along the trail with picnic tables and benches. We ride this trail 2 to 3 times a week.
We took the dog out in her cart. Trail is a bit tight for a trailer and it’s rough. Probably never will fix because river destroys it when it rains. I thought I was going somewhere new and wife says we have been here before and after seeing the old Zoar bridge I realized I have did this trail many times. Not a lot of people on it so not bad. Dog liked the areas where she could get out and jump in the Tuscarawas River. She’s sleeping now.
I used to frequent this trail for the views. One of the most beautiful Pittsburgh sunrises can be seen from the edge of Washington landings. Well I recently went back and the area just didn’t seem too biker friendly anymore. It seems like the rocks and gravel have tripled. You have to take a very slow and methodical pace to complete this loop. Please be careful when going to Washington Landing
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