North Bend Rail Trail

North Bend Rail Trail stretches 72 miles across north-central and western West Virginia. This wilderness path takes travelers across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels and is part of the 5,500-mile American Discovery Trail, which spans the length of the United States. The trail has become one of the most renowned recreational trails through the Appalachians, and is known for its mountainous scenery and varied views of shaded tree canopies, rock cuts and farmland. Highlights include a 2,297-foot tunnel and the “haunted” Silver Run Tunnel.

The railroad that now makes up the North Bend Rail Trail was built by the Northwestern Virginia Railroad before the Civil War. The line was later sold to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and over the years, the line changed ownership and eventually was railbanked. In the 1980s, CSX Transportation sold the line to the state of West Virginia, which began converting it into a recreation trail for the state park system. Initial trail segments opened in 1991, with additional portions added over the next several years.”

The North Bend Rail Trail runs parallel to U.S. Route 50, extending for 72 miles from the community of Wolf Summit west of Clarksburg at its eastern end to I-77 near Parkersburg at its western end. Visitors may access the trail at numerous points along the way.

Parkersburg Trailhead: Take I-77 to the Staunton Avenue Exit.  Turn east on state Route 47 and take the first right turn (about 0.2 mile from the interstate) onto Old WV state Route 47. Continue about 0.7 mile and turn right on Happy Valley Road.  Travel approximately 0.4 mile until you see a large house on the left.  Immediately after the stone wall (Millers Landing) is the North Bend Rail Trail trailhead. Park on the gravel section opposite the trailhead. [Wood County, WV]