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I followed the review from September 2020 "Beautiful scenery...good trail surface...enjoyed the coast back down the hill
bikin-mike"
He knows what he's talking about! The Spring Suites was the perfect spot to start the trail unless you want to see the dilapidated area of Morgantown, although the trail is paved. Behind the hotel is a HUGE lot for Semi-truck parking and you can easily slip over to the trail without being in danger or crossing any barriers.
The trail itself is..... steep. But it is a slight incline, remember a train used to ride on it so it can't be too crazy steep. I was able to maintain a reasonable speed of 8-10mph with my 26x2.0in mountain bike but i was pushing it. The first few miles had a lot of busy road crossings but afterwards you follow the creek which is quite a bit below the trail. The waterfall pictures you see in the gallery took some rock crawling to get to but nothing too difficult for someone in good shape.
The rapids and waterfalls lasted for a few miles and then the creek gets closer in elevation to the trail and is much calmer. Still a beautiful wooded area with a creek. I rode a mile or 2 past Masontown park, it meets right up to the trail and signs are everywhere. There are a few bridges but the trail becomes much more bland compared to what you've just experienced..... so again I agree with the previous review mentioned, turn around at Masontown.
Your way back will be much easier! You can coast at a slower speed or if you pedal you're able to make it back 3x's faster than on the way up.
All and all, you will be tired but you will be VERY glad you did this trail! Spectacular!
The trail is in 2 sections. A north and south section. In between these 2 portions is Morgantowns' downtown Caperton Trail. You can ride the entire Mon River Trail by using the 6 mile Caperton Trail as a connector. Bringing the total mileage to around 30miles one way.
The entire trail is currently maintained very well. Any bike should be able to easily traverse it. No downed trees or unkept areas. The path was very packed down and smooth for not being asphalt. A gravel/road bike would have no problem. I was able to maintain a consistent speed I normally have on asphalt.
There is a parking area for around 5 cars that's almost exactly in the middle of the trail, east of I-79 bridge. Morning could be a 30mile round trip to do the south section. Grab lunch back at your car. Then head north for another 30 miles doing the Caperton Trail and North section of Mon River Trail.
I have ridden the West Fork River Trail several times and went yesterday for a full ride. Parked in Monongah as I always do. Nice parking area right along the trail with restrooms. Rode downstream and crossed the newly redecked Norway bridge. There's new railing also. Two years ago there was only a metal cable on each side - a bit scary and unsafe. Past the bridge is an unimproved dirt road to what is supposed to be a parking area on a dead end street in Fairmont. I've ridden part of the road but it just isn't worth it.
Other than that part the rest of the trail in Marion Co. is paved. However, the asphalt is not as nice as it used to be. It needs repaved or sealed. Several places the asphalt is getting gritty and not as easy to ride on as a good crushed limestone sand trail. The Harrison Co. side is unpaved and the first mile through Enterprise may make you want to turn back. Yesterday part of the trail was newly laid semi-course gravel as a sewer line is being put in along the trail. Persevere through Enterprise and the trail gets better. The ride to Shinnston is fine then and once in town you'll ride on some back roads for a ways - there are faint blue arrows on the road but if you just stay on the roads closest the river you're in the right place. The last little section crosses a decked railroad bridge to a little park area - very nice.
There's a pizza place at the end of the trail and an ice cream shop one minute from the trail plus a local bike store. Shinnston has several other stores for anything you might need in a pinch. It's on it's way to being a decent little trail town.
If I could I would give the trail 3.5 stars but went for 4 since some maintenance on the trail would improve things but it is definitely worth the ride if you're in the are.
Rode from Parsons to Thomas and then back. Took me about four hours, over three to reach Thomas and less than one to ride back. It is sustained uphill coming from Parsons, but never steep. I didn't rush and stopped constantly to take pictures. I bought a low-end mountain bike and drove 100-some miles just to do this trail and both were well worth it. I've ridden many much-lavished trails and none beats this one for its views. Deep valley to peer into, a loud rushing river, a dozen or more waterfalls with two spectacular ones. I feel that I needed the dual-suspension bike because the surface was so rough and bumpy. Not hard at all with my mountain bike but I wouldn't want to do it with a street bike.
I've hiked or biked other much lavished trails, like the North Fork near Seneca, the Pine Creek in central Pennsylvania or the Cottonwood Canyon in Death Valley. This one has all the others beat. It really does have a picture for a museum at every quarter mile. T
his is trail could be done with a street bike but I would strongly recommend a mountain bike. It isn't full of obstacles or large rocks but it isn't level crushed stone like a typical rail-to-trail. It would be extremely bumpy on a bike with no suspension. I pedaled from Parsons to Thomas and then back again. I took 4 hours to go just this 25 miles, but the uphill pedal from Parsons is slow and I was constantly stopping to take pictures. This uphill end is not difficult, just not fast. It is never very steep, but it is sustained until near its end. I did the downhill ride back to Parsons in top gear and the only challenge was to stay focused on the trail surface and slow down when needed, so I didn't fly off the bike. I drove over 100 miles to do this trail and it was more than worth the time and gas.
First time on this leg of the trail. Found the parking lot very easily I think it was about 2 miles east of the bridge which crosses the Ohio river. Nice signs at exit showing were the parking lot was located. Very large parking lot but no where to change clothes. Heading east first couple miles were packed gravel then paved nicely for the rest of the trail. Lots of rest stops and scenery here. Long climb up Midway then to to McDonald bridge / trestle where I rode on the panhandle connector at nice picnic table rest stop. 22 miles to this point decided to head back to Weirton. I also went on the unimproved section toward town. Maybe someday the trail will go to the ohio river.
We started mid way and biked up to the tunnel (9 miles). The tunnel was disappointing in that it wasn’t that long and the trail full of pools and downed branches. It was nice once but wouldn’t be returning.
Only biked 6mi and then the trail is blocked by construction - March 2021
I have literally walked this trail hundreds of times, once I year I walk from Masontown to rock forge and back, takes around eight hours, also walk from Masontown to the trail end above Reedsville and have walked that dozens of times, takes me just under 5 hours and around 30K steps. it is a great trail and someone mentioned snakes, it is crazy because two years ago I saw something like 5 snakes one year, then the next two I have seen nothing, luck of the draw I guess. the bathrooms at masontown head are very nice, just wish there were more rest rooms, even porta toilets strategically placed and maybe changed out every month or so would be awesome, that really is my only complaint. awesome Trail and I use it a ton :)
Easy for beginners. Nice scenery. Very fun (and a tunnel, to!)
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