The Mountain State is a hiker’s paradise, and if you’re searching for the best hikes in West Virginia, you don’t have to look far. Of the many paths that our state’s nature trails lead — through woods, across rivers, streams, and waterfalls (yes, over the river and through the woods, in many cases) — there is one that follows an abandoned rail line, through 10 tunnels, and over 38 bridges, making it one of the best hikes in West Virginia that absolutely belongs on your bucket list.
The North Bend Rail Trail, located near Parkersburg, is a 72-mile abandoned rail line that has been repurposed as a hiking and biking trail. The trail passes through 10 tunnels and across 38 bridges.
AllTrails/Adam Hammel
The line was originally built by the Northwestern Virginia Railroad between 1851 and 1857, after which it was promptly sold to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
AllTrails/Alicia Wright
During the Civil War, the B&O track served as a major supply line for Union troops.
AllTrails/Aaron Jones Throughout the war, several Confederate raids were made on these tunnels. At the time, many of the tunnels were constructed out of wood, so the primary purpose of these raids was to burn them. Southern troops also tore up the tracks along several areas to further halt supply trains transporting weapons and provisions to Union forces. After the war, the tunnels were reconstructed or repaired with stone or brick.
The rail line was later sold to CSX, who decommissioned the line and removed the tracks in 1988.
AllTrails/Megan Acord Once this occurred, the North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation was formed to re-purpose the decommissioned line into the multi-use recreational trail it is today. The trail is part of North Bend State Park. It is also a small section of the 5,500 mile American Discovery Trail, which stretches from coast-to-coast.
As you pass through the many tunnels of the park, you will notice the many differences between each. Some are old, the jagged natural stone forming the interior…
AllTrails/Neal Swick
…with others reflect post-antebellum construction comprised of brick or stone. Never again were these tunnels raided or burnt, but as a precaution, the wooden structures were removed in the case of possible wartime destruction in the future.
AllTrails/Alicia Wright
One of the tunnels near Cairo is even reported to be haunted.
AllTrails/Megan Acord Tunnel #19, also known as Silver Run Tunnel, is said to be haunted by a pale woman with long black hair. Eyewitness accounts go as far back as the late 1800s. Legend says that the woman is the ghost of a bride who was struck and killed by a train near the tunnel’s entrance. The tunnel itself is 1,376 feet long and very dark, even during the day.
The trails that run between the tunnels have a variety of different terrain. Often, the trails are gravel, dirt or just beaten grass, but certain sections, near a city or town, tend to be paved. Be prepared for varied terrain when you reach the trail.
AllTrails/Neal Swick
The trail begins near the city of Parkersburg in Wood County and ends near Wolf Summit, a small coal town in Harrison County.
AllTrails/Megan Acord So, if you would like to hike or bike a truly unique trail, look no further than this one. The trail can be accessed at almost any point along its stretch.
Have you ever hiked to the North Bend Rail Trail? Do you agree that it’s one of the best hikes in West Virginia? Feel free to comment below and tell us about your visit.
AllTrails/Adam Hammel
AllTrails/Alicia Wright
AllTrails/Aaron Jones
Throughout the war, several Confederate raids were made on these tunnels. At the time, many of the tunnels were constructed out of wood, so the primary purpose of these raids was to burn them. Southern troops also tore up the tracks along several areas to further halt supply trains transporting weapons and provisions to Union forces. After the war, the tunnels were reconstructed or repaired with stone or brick.
AllTrails/Megan Acord
Once this occurred, the North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation was formed to re-purpose the decommissioned line into the multi-use recreational trail it is today. The trail is part of North Bend State Park. It is also a small section of the 5,500 mile American Discovery Trail, which stretches from coast-to-coast.
AllTrails/Neal Swick
Tunnel #19, also known as Silver Run Tunnel, is said to be haunted by a pale woman with long black hair. Eyewitness accounts go as far back as the late 1800s. Legend says that the woman is the ghost of a bride who was struck and killed by a train near the tunnel’s entrance. The tunnel itself is 1,376 feet long and very dark, even during the day.
So, if you would like to hike or bike a truly unique trail, look no further than this one. The trail can be accessed at almost any point along its stretch.
The NBRT is not the only West Virginia trail steeped in history. Check out these six hiking trails that lead to some incredible prices of history.
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Address: North Bend Rail Trail, North Bend, WA 98045, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in West Virginia July 31, 2022 Sarah M. Are there any other rail trails in West Virginia? There’s arguably no better use for an abandoned railroad than to convert it to a multi-use rail trail. That’s exactly what has happened to many of the historic but now defunct logging and mining train routes scattered across West Virginia. No tight curves, no steep hills, and running gently along for miles — those are just a few of the benefits these trails have to offer. And among the best of the dozens of rail trails in the state is the West Fork River Trail, which stretches over a dozen miles through some of the most scenic and historic country in the area, from Shinnston to Fairmont in West Virginia. A link in the chain of many trails that make up the national American Discovery Trail, West Virginia’s West Fork River Rail Trail was once a coal route for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Now, however, it carries a different kind of cargo: people! With segments in both Marion County (featuring an all-paved trail surface) and Harrison County (featuring a crushed gravel trail surface), the trail follows its namesake, the West Fork River, nearly its entire length. What that means for trail users is beautiful waterfront views, riverside cliffs, and lush river bottom forests. In addition, if there’s been a recent rain, you might even get to see a waterfall or two! Of course, there are many, many more marvelous hikes to tackle in the Mountain State; here are some of our top picks for your West Virginia hiking bucket list.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in West Virginia
July 31, 2022
Sarah M.
Are there any other rail trails in West Virginia? There’s arguably no better use for an abandoned railroad than to convert it to a multi-use rail trail. That’s exactly what has happened to many of the historic but now defunct logging and mining train routes scattered across West Virginia. No tight curves, no steep hills, and running gently along for miles — those are just a few of the benefits these trails have to offer. And among the best of the dozens of rail trails in the state is the West Fork River Trail, which stretches over a dozen miles through some of the most scenic and historic country in the area, from Shinnston to Fairmont in West Virginia. A link in the chain of many trails that make up the national American Discovery Trail, West Virginia’s West Fork River Rail Trail was once a coal route for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Now, however, it carries a different kind of cargo: people! With segments in both Marion County (featuring an all-paved trail surface) and Harrison County (featuring a crushed gravel trail surface), the trail follows its namesake, the West Fork River, nearly its entire length. What that means for trail users is beautiful waterfront views, riverside cliffs, and lush river bottom forests. In addition, if there’s been a recent rain, you might even get to see a waterfall or two! Of course, there are many, many more marvelous hikes to tackle in the Mountain State; here are some of our top picks for your West Virginia hiking bucket list.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There’s arguably no better use for an abandoned railroad than to convert it to a multi-use rail trail. That’s exactly what has happened to many of the historic but now defunct logging and mining train routes scattered across West Virginia. No tight curves, no steep hills, and running gently along for miles — those are just a few of the benefits these trails have to offer. And among the best of the dozens of rail trails in the state is the West Fork River Trail, which stretches over a dozen miles through some of the most scenic and historic country in the area, from Shinnston to Fairmont in West Virginia. A link in the chain of many trails that make up the national American Discovery Trail, West Virginia’s West Fork River Rail Trail was once a coal route for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Now, however, it carries a different kind of cargo: people! With segments in both Marion County (featuring an all-paved trail surface) and Harrison County (featuring a crushed gravel trail surface), the trail follows its namesake, the West Fork River, nearly its entire length. What that means for trail users is beautiful waterfront views, riverside cliffs, and lush river bottom forests. In addition, if there’s been a recent rain, you might even get to see a waterfall or two!
Of course, there are many, many more marvelous hikes to tackle in the Mountain State; here are some of our top picks for your West Virginia hiking bucket list.
