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It is hoped that this page will be able to inform you of other rides in the fantastic State of West Virginia. But-you
have to share with us.
***If you, or your group, have an event or ride planned and would
like us to list it, please send the information to us. List the date, times, location, and contacts, plus a BRIEF description
of the ride or event.***
If you have a favorite trail anywhere in the state to share with others - tell us about it and we will probably
list it here. Give us the trail head location, a trail rating with distance, a contact person or so, and a BRIEF description
of the trail and why you think it is special. We all know there are lots of special trails in West Virginia - let's
share !! BIKE WEST VIRGINIA !!
Thanks to Philip Dial for the info on Barboursville City Park and Little Creek Park.
Barboursville City Park
Barboursville Park has 25 miles of singletrack, maybe more. Several trails have been added this summer. The
park has trails that range from novice to black diamond type downhills. It truly is a mountain biking mecca for the
Huntington area. It's taken the place of the once and still somewhat popular Beech Fork State Park trail system.
It's worth posting for your members near the area that don't have a clue about the blessing in their backyard.
Also for Barboursville City Park--more detail.........
When you enter the park, there is a gravel parking lot at the top of the hill. Park at that lot, look across the
road and you'll see a trail going up a pipeline. The first trail is on your right behind a stone hut. Then 30
yds. later you'll see a fairly new trail to your right that connects to Stone Hut. Both of these will take you to most
(all but 2 trails) on this side of the park. If you were to go along a grass road to the right of the gravel lot, you'll
eventually find some stairs called Madusa. They are called that because if you look at them, you'll be frozen in the
rail. They are steep but fun, and will take you to a pond and then another trail that will take you to the entrance
of the park. At the entrance there are some flag poles, behind them are the Flag Trail. About half way through
this trail is a white turtle shell. Make a left here for an off-camber lung busting climb, it's called the Turtle Head
Trail. If you stay on flag trail, it will bring you out to the pipeline above the 2nd trail I told you about.
Go on up the pipeline and in the bend is a trail to you right. Go on up a little further to the top of the pipeline,
and the final trail will be on your right. All of these tie together, although some are only meant for one-way travel
by design. There are more trails on the other side of the park.
From the gravel lot, go
up the paved climb that will eventually turn to gravel if you stay left. There are to novice loops. Both of them
have fast technical downhills branching off from them. They are Farm View, and Devils Hollow. If you avoid those
and veer right (although now grass) stay on the road, and it will take you to the Deer Trail, and a couple other connector
trails. Deer Trail connects to Devils Hollow, which can be climbed. The trails at Barboursville are fast and flowing
in sections, most sections. There is also plenty of white knuckle, point and shoot, side of the hill riding in others.
Very well maintained and often rode. Come out and see for yourself.
Little Creek Park in South
Charleston
Also, Little Creek Park in South Charleston has 15 miles or more of trails. More trails are being
built there too. Share the trails with your members and friends. The more mountain bikers the better. It's
always great to see new faces on the trails. Heck, it's great to see anyone on the trail. So let everyone
know.
Greenbrier State Forest from Catherine
I ride all the time at Greenbrier State Forest. It's just about 5 miles east of Lewisburg.
Nice rolling hills and a few good downhills... or you can come down from the top of Kate's Mountain for one thrilling
downhill.
Mountain Biking Pipestem
Resort State Park
Pipestem is one of West Virginia’s premier state park and offers a variety of recreational activities
in addition to mountain biking. It boasts two golf courses, two full service lodges, two restaurants, a small lake, swimming
pools (indoor and outdoor) and a variety of other outdoor recreation opportunities.
If you are planning to bring along family, kids, or other non-mountain bikers Access to Pipestem can be reached via I-77 (about
15 minutes off of exit 14) or via route 20 just South of Hinton and North of Princeton.
Pipestem has several multi-use trails and
six of those are open to Mountain Bikes. Tail guides are available at the main lodge, nature center, recreation center, park
headquarters and main club house. I will discuss some of my favorites and suggest a couple of loops.
1)
The Lake Shore Trail (2.2 mile loop) is a fairly level trail which encircles Long Branch Lake. Mostly level double track
with a couple of semi-steep descents and one or two short climbs. This is a great beginner ride, but sees a lot of other traffic.
Fisherman in the spring and early summer, and horses in the summer and early fall. This trail can be reached via the Law Hollow
trail (.5 miles one way from park road), Lake View
(.4 miles one way from park road) or the Long Branch trail
(which is really a paved handicap access road). I recommend parking at the main lodge riding to Law Hollow, down Law Hollow
to Lake Shore, riding lake shore a couple of times and then heading back up to the road on the Lake View Trail.
2)
The County Line Trail (1.9 miles one way) starts at the Nature
Center is a steep combination of single and double track riding. It careens
across two knobs and descends into the Bluestone Canyon. At one mile you will pass a small trail that drops over a hill to offer a spectacular
view of Indian Branch
Falls. Beautiful waterfall, but leave your bike on the Canyon Line. A
tumble over the sandstone cliff could easily spell disaster. The County
Line trail ends at the River Trail. At this point you can turn left,
cross the Bluestone River and (for a small fee) ride the aerial tramway to the top of the canyon or you can turn right and
start the long ascent along the river trail back to the park road and will spit you out at the main lodge.
3)
The River Trail (5.25 miles one way in Pipestem, 13.5
miles if you take it on to Bluestone.) The river trail begins along the Park road next to the main lodge. You have a couple
of options on this one. If you start at the lodge it is pretty much all a steep double track descent into the Bluestone Canyon. At about 2.25 miles you will
cross under the aerial tramway and come to where the Canyon Rim Trail crosses the River Trail. Stash the bike and hike the
.5 miles down hill down the Canyon Rim Trail past an old residence (you will be amazed that someone once lived on the side
of this mountain) to huge sandstone cliff that offers a gorgeous view of the Bluestone River, the Gorge and Mountain Creek
Lodge. Bring your camera, it is definitely worth the hike. At this point proceed downhill. When you cross the Canyon Rim trail
you can head back uphill for a lung-busting climb or you can stay on the River Trail, cross the river to Mountain Creek Lodge
and hitch a ride to the top of the mountain. If you choose you can follow a very remote, but gentle River Trail for 8.5 miles
to Bluestone State Park.
It is a sparsely traveled ride, but offers some great scenery. It passes through a Native American burial area and two old
cemeteries that were in use before the creation of the bluestone lake.
TWIN FALLS RESORT STATE PARK - WYOMING COUNTY, WV
Twin Falls has a NEW MAP & BIKE GUIDE-contact them to get one.
Twin Falls has more than 26 miles of trails for all levels of riders. Here are just two of the best.
MOONSHINER
3.25 miles. Trailhead off Family Picnic Area. Single track with smooth packed dirt. A feature
of the trail is the good flow which is consistant end to end. "surfing the turns and carving the turns". Wooded
trail of varied micro-climates passing old moonshine still sites and rock piles. A great MTB trail that becomes
more technical the faster you ride. Rocky Road loops off Moonshiner-look for the signs.
ROCKY ROAD
3 miles-technical-dirt-ROCKS, this trail loops off Moonshiner. The line-of-sight is open but the flow changes-STAY
AWAKE! Some good climbs, some good descents. Great, but not for the faint of heart.
STONEWALL JACKSON LAKE STATE PARK - LEWIS COUNTY, WV
HEVENER'S ORCHARD TRAIL - Blaze is a Red Apple
3.5 miles. Trailhead 1 is located near the Welcome Center at the Park entrance.
Trailhead 2 is near the Golf clubhouse.
From trailhead 1 the trail is a gradual ascending grade climbing about 200'. The trail passes through mature timber
stands, early succession forest, & old fields. the trail tread is a mixture of shaded abandoned lanes, single track,
& mowed meadow. Of particular interest are the dry stone wall corral features located about 1/2 mile from
trailhead 1. Glimpses of the park, resort, & golf course can be seen through the wooded surroundings. You
can expect to see, turkey, deer, squirrel, & various other small mammels and birds.
The park rates the trail as "strenuous".
Also check out the Autumn Laurel Brooke Trail, 2 miles out & back.
Chief Logan State Park - Logan County, WV
There are MANY great trails here, a few are listed below.
Check at the Park office for a trail map.
Old Rail Bed to Fitness Trail
Starts at the mouth of the park and runs along an old rail bed....cross park road at museum and get on FITNESS
TRAIL. Follow it and cross bridge...cross back across the second bridge and it comes out at the Amphitheatre.
Good warm up ride.
Shawnee Trail
Located behind the Amphitheatre. A little loop that is slightly up going in and slightly down coming
out. At the Amphitheater, follow the sidewalk and cross the bridge over to the bleachers...ride in front of the bleachers
up the little bank and cross the creek using the little overpass. Veer to the left and you are at the beginning of Shawnee.
It has a couple of little bridges, it is short and not too technical...but it is in the woods and is a great warm up ride.
Buffalo Trail
After you get to the top of the hill-it is great. Trail head is just past the museum on the right
fork of the paved road.
There is a path up the hill just before a wooden storage shed--take the path just a few steps and you come
to Buffalo Trail to the left and Cliffside Trail to the right.
Buffalo is sweeping and runs the length of the park. Lake Shore trail connects at the upper end of
buffalo and takes you around and behind the lake. You can ride the trail back (tougher that way) or ride the road back
to the museum.
Cliffside Trail
Trailhead is with Buffalo. Cliffside is a good, but short, trail that is a little more technical than
Buffalo. Ends at the park office.
Woodpecker Trail
This one is really nice! Trailhead is up left fork of the paved park road toward the campground.
Justa after crossing the bridge-Woodpecker is on the left.
Not too long but has a bit of everything you are looking for--roots, rocks, climbs, drops, sosme sweeping
downhills, some really technical areas, switchbacks, - just about everything.
Coal Mine Trail
Starts at the old stable on the left fork of the park road.
An old mine road that is fairly level around the hollow. Coal Mine splits and Wilderness runs on up
the hill. Staying on Coal Mine around the hill you can come out at the upper end of the campground....or go on around
the hill you will pass near an old coal silo (site of the Wreck at Silo Hill) and come out just above the pool.
Great downhill near the end but REALLY technical with rocks and ruts. Careful here !!!
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