Rail trails (former railroad corridors that have been converted for hiking & biking) often have three tremendous advantages over regular hiking trails.
First, rail trails often contain substantial infrastructure left behind by the railroad companies, like trestle bridges over creeks. These provide easy access to rugged areas of the forest. Second, railroad corridors were built at grades a train could travel which makes for gentle inclines. Third, the corridors are usually very wide which allows multiple hikers and bikers to comfortably use the trail at the same time.
We love a good rail trail and thankfully, the New River Gorge is full of them. Here are our top five in and around the national park. Scroll to the bottom to see super long trails near the national park.
Hawks Nest Rail Trail
4.74 miles (2.37 out & 2.37 back) | Moderate
15 minutes from Fayetteville
HIGHLIGHTS: long trestle bridge, the trail follows beautiful Mill Creek which is full of waterfalls, easy access to old mine entrance (very short spur to right at 1.5 miles in), the trail ends at Hawks Nest Lake with access to jetboat rides, additional trails, and Hawks Nest aerial tram which takes you up the mountain to Hawks Nest State Park Lodge.
TRAILHEAD: Take US 19 5.3 miles to the intersection with US 60. Turn left (west) and drive 6.3 miles to Ansted, WV. Turn right on Ansted Bank Road. Turn left on Hawks Nest Road. This road goes under US 60 and leads to the trailhead. There is wayfinding signage starting on Rt. 60.
Rend Trail
6.88 miles (3.44 out & 3.44 back) | Easy | CURRENTLY CLOSED 1.9 MILES FROM TRAILHEAD
25 minutes from Fayetteville
HIGHLIGHTS: provides views of the historic town of Thurmond and the New River, several trestle bridges, includes an enormous sandstone boulder that detached from the nearby cliff and now blocks the old railroad (steps have been permanently constructed to bypass the bolder and continue along the trail). Special note: the trail is currently closed at 1.9 miles in due to a slide, but we still recommend hiking the open section.
TRAILHEAD: Take Glen Jean exit on US 19. Turn left almost immediately at the stop sign. Drive .5 miles then turn right on Main St. followed by an immediate left at the historic Glen Jean Bank Building. Drive 5.1 miles on Rt. 25 to the Rend Trail Head on the left.
Southside Trail
12.8 miles (6.4 out & 6.4 back) | Easy
20 minutes from Fayetteville
HIGHLIGHTS: a huge variety of wildflowers in bloom during April & May, provides a great view of New River with its rapids and rafters, parallels a run of historic coke ovens, provides only access to historic Red Ash Island, provides easy assess to the historic town of Thurmond.
TRAILHEAD: From US 19, follow WV 16 through Fayetteville for .7 miles to the intersection with Gatewood Rd. Bear left and follow Gatewood Road for 4.5 miles before turning left onto Cunard Rd. Follow this road for 1.8 miles. Turn left toward Cunard River Access area. Turn onto the gravel road from the access area and drive 1 mile to the trailhead.
Keeneys Creek Rail Trail
6.4 miles (3.2 out & 3.2 back) | Easy | CURRENLTY CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENENCE
25 minutes from Fayetteville
HIGHLIGHTS: goes through a quiet and beautiful forest, includes the tallest trestle bridge in the New River Gorge, takes you through a rugged area on an easy 4% grade, crosses under an old coal conveyor, the trail is very close to the old mining complex of Nuttalburg which warrants further exploration.
TRAILHEAD: Drive north from Fayetteville on US 19 and cross the Bridge. Turn right onto Lansing-Edmond Rd and continue 6 miles. Turn right onto Keeneys Creek Rd. Follow this road for 3.5 miles to the parking area on the right (before the main Nuttallburg parking area).
Glade Creek Rail Trail
11.4 miles (5.7 out & 5.7 back) | Moderate
40 minutes from Fayetteville
HIGHLIGHTS: quiet and secluded trail, extremely shaded by towering ridgelines (good for hot, sunny days), runs along beautiful Glade Creek which contains a nice swimming hole, islands, and waterfalls.
TRAILHEAD: Take Glen Jean exit on US 19. Turn right at the immediate stop sign and travel on WV 16/61 for 2.8 miles. Turn Left on WV 61 and travel 4.4 miles. At the Y intersection, turn left onto WV 41 and travel 4 miles. Turn right and travel 5.6 miles on the gravel Glade Creek Rd to the trailhead.
Long Rail Trails Near the National Park
Bluestone Turnpike Trail – This 9.5 mile trail (19 miles roundtrip) was once an old riverbank road, not a railway corridor, but it feels the same and is particularly good for hiking and biking. This tail connects Bluestone State Park to Pipestem Resort State Park, but access at Pipestem is currently closed. The trailhead at Bluestone State Park is about an hour from Fayetteville, WV.
Meadow River Trail – While still under construction, 11 miles from Nallen, WV to Burdette Creek are currently open on this new trail. The trailhead in Nallen is a perfect starting spot with good parking. It is about 25 minutes from Fayetteville, WV. Special note: the mostly gravel surface makes it better for biking than hiking.
Greenbrier River Trail – This 78 mile trail is its own West Virginia State Park! It crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels, and through several small towns. It runs between Back Mountain Road near Cass Scenic Railroad State Park to Stone House Road in North Caldwell, WV. There are numerous trailheads. The closest one to Fayetteville, WV is about two hours away.
White Oak Rail Trail – This 7.9 mile mostly asphalt paved trail runs from Summerlee, WV to Carlisle, WV through Oak Hill, WV.
Helpful Info & Advice for New River Gorge Rail Trails
- Check the National Park website or visitors center for trail closures before departing.
- Take plenty of water, snacks, and bug spray.
- We are leisurely hikers and usually cover 2 miles per hour on a moderate trail. Use our guidelines to plan and schedule your hike appropriately; you don’t want to get stuck out after dark.
- Make sure to put valuables out of sight and lock your car at the trailhead.
- Cell phone service is available at some point on most New River Gorge trails but we always take a trail guide with us.
- In the extremely rare case that you see a black bear, stay calm. Do not run or approach the bear. Make as much noise as possible to scare it away.
- Rail trails in the New River Gorge provide an important tie between the natural and cultural aspects of this national park. Walking along any of these rail trails transports you back to days long ago when trains brought miners and their families into the uninhabited Gorge and sent tons of coal back out to the rest of the country. As you explore, you will see many remnants of the old coal mining complexes. It is required by law that you leave any remnants as you find them. Check out our blog post, New River Gorge Coal Mining Culture and History, to learn more.
Who are we? Amy & Shawn, New River Gorge hikers, master naturalists, and owners of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals.
Enjoy this post? You might also like New River Gorge National Park: Trails Less Traveled and Enjoying Nature in New River Gorge National Park and Our 10 Favorite Trails in New River Gorge National Park.