Explore the best rated trails in Parkersburg, WV, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Old Town Creek Trail and Devola Multi-Use Trail . With more than 11 trails covering 140 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
As a WV Native and a fairly avid cyclist I’ve ridden a lot of trails. The Greenbrier River Trail. All of the connecting trails in North Central WV (Mon-River, MCTrail, Deckers Creek) and even the C&O + GAP from DC to Pittsburgh.
While each trail has their pros and cons, *most* rail trails at least have a surface made for hiking or cycling (admittedly, the C&O is often a muddy mess, but I digress..)
The North Bend Trail is excellent for its length, the tunnels, and the overall beauty of nature. But the trail surface is mostly thicker chunky gravel, not the crushed limestone which makes a good trail.
In July 2023 I rode the trail from Parkersburg to Clarksburg one day and Clarksburg back to Parkersburg the next. The thick gravel made for a bumpier ride than every other trail I’ve ridden. On the second day I bumped into somebody who asked if the entire trail was like the chunky gravel they were currently experiencing. When I indicated that most-but-not-all of it was like that, they indicated that they would only ride a few miles and then call it quits and find another trail to enjoy. I couldn’t blame them.
All in all, the length of the trail is its main benefit. But the ride just isn’t smooth. If the surface is ever changed to crushed limestone I’d probably ride it annually. But in its current state, I don’t have a lot of desire to ride it again. The decision to use regular gravel and not crushed limestone was a poor decision.
For those hiking or cycling on a mountain bike with shocks, you won’t notice much. But for those riding a gravel or other hybrid bike without suspension, prepare for your arms to have a workout as the non-stop vibrations will surely impact your ride.
This trail is a nice ride and friendly people on trail. Very clean and maintained.
I rode this 72 mile trail from east to west (gradual downhill grade) with 3 of my girlfriends. It was quite thick gravel but the downhill grade helped keep your momentum up to make it not completely exhausting pushing through the thicker stuff. It will rattle you pretty good and we were glad to come to the end. We went in late September and rode in a 60 degree cold drizzle the whole way. Nice feather in our caps!
The Great Guernsey Trail is a 7 mile (14 down and back) flat rail-to-trail. The pavement is in really good shape. A few years ago they resurfaced the first mile which did away with the washboarding and cracks. At the Corduroy Rd. trailhead there is paved parking and a portable toilet. There is also an overflow lot where you can park if the paved lot is full. During the summer months a little concession stand is open and they sell water, Gatorade, snacks and such. There is also a skate park, dog park and archery range. As you go down the trail you will come across a sign that points to Coal Ridge Park and Trails. DO NOT miss this beautiful spot. It is an old strip pit that is open for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, trail walking and is kept in really good condition. As you go down the trail there are numerous rest spots, benches, and restrooms. The scenery is great. You will see wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and a plethora of wildlife.
Great trail for a quick run (8 mile out & back) in Marietta!
Ohio does another awesome rail trail. We went from Nelsonville down to Ohio university to the community center and back . 40 miles. Lots of rock bluffs, big trees and tree cover on the upper section. Good pavement. Not crowded for a Sunday. Don’t miss this trail.
A very beautiful path! The path is along the river with beautiful views of the river, boats and bridges that cross over to West Virginia. Plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view along the way. We got ice cream at a little shop on our way back. It was way out of our way to get to this trail..but definitely worth the trip. ¿¿ (Giving it 4 stars because of the length…but still loved it).
This trail has potential for some serious greatness, but it needs some work. It’s very secluded and peaceful with some beautiful scenery and it’s highlighted by the Moonville and kings hollow tunnels which are fantastic to ride through. The trail from Mineral on pass the Moonville tunnel is crushed stone and not so bad to ride on. Once you go through Moonville and keep heading west towards Zalensky though, there is a bridge out & it abruptly ends. I drove over to Zalenski and rode the other half of the trail, which is all grass, and not really all that great. If this trail was paved and all connected & a little longer, it would be one of the best, but… It still needs a lil work.
Went to ride some trails in Zanesville and decided to go a little further east and check out this little trail and boy am I glad I did. This is just one sweet little honey of a trail. It may be a little bit short and a little bit lacking in scenery, but it is super well-kept and has easily some of the nicest little rest spots I’ve ever seen off of it. It does follow closely to Route 265 & goes under 70 so you do hear a little bit of traffic but you never see any of it. It’s a wonderful little trail that I will ride again whenever I’m in this area.
This trail is not bad but it could be so much better. It’s not in the best condition and the section from Bidwell to Kerr was completely unkept & unridable as far as I could tell. If they could fix that section and have it connect to the main trail and then somehow add some more trail along the river front, this would be a five star trail.
We started at the Nelsonville trail head and rode south. We had no idea how beautiful the path was. The path was well maintained and there were several porta-potties along the way. We were getting ready to turn around when we stumbled upon Eclipse Company Tap Room on the path. An appetizer and a few cold ones and we were back on the path. What a hidden gem. We will be back! had a few cold
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