The North Bend Rail Trail offers great hiking, beautiful scenery, and glimpses into West Virginia’s past. Whether you want to spend days hiking, or just a few hours, this trail has something for you.
The B&O Parkersburg Branch was once a major part of West Virginia’s transportation.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook Trains ran along the route from 1857 to 1985.
The railroad tracks ran from Grafton to Parkersburg.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook The line originally had 23 tunnels and 52 bridges to help create a smooth ride. Many of these tunnels and bridges can still be seen.
Today, it’s been turned into a trail for hiking and biking.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook
You can also ride horses all along the trail.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook
The North Bend Rail Trail is part of the American Discovery Trail; 6,800 miles of trail that stretch from coast to coast.
American Discovery Trail In West Virginia, this section of the trail is 72 miles, and takes hikers through Harrison, Doddridge, Ritchie and Wood Counties.
If you only have a few hours to explore, check out the trail where it runs through North Bend State Park.
Flickr/Paul W.
You’ll see the remnants of an old railroad bridge.
Flickr/Paul W.
Tunnel #12 sits in the park.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury This is one of the longest tunnels along the rail trail, at 577 feet. There are hollows in the wall in case a pedestrian needed to get out of the way of a passing train.
A mile and a half west is the Dick Bias tunnel, also known as Tunnel #10.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury This tunnel is 377 feet long and was created by boring through solid rock.
If you’re up for a longer hike, the town of Ellenboro is another 3 miles away.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury Along the way you’ll cross bridges, see rock formations, and hike steeper portions of the trail.
When you reach the town, it’s the perfect opportunity to stop for lunch!
TripAdvisor/ServiceBob Dodd’s Log Cabin Grill is on Main Street, and gets great reviews from travelers.
Dodd’s Log Cabin Grill/Facebook The restaurant serves all day breakfast, burgers, wings, hoagies, and more, for very reasonable prices. You can refuel before heading back to the park.
If you’d like to learn more about West Virginia’s railroad history, check out these scenic train rides.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook
Trains ran along the route from 1857 to 1985.
The line originally had 23 tunnels and 52 bridges to help create a smooth ride. Many of these tunnels and bridges can still be seen.
American Discovery Trail
In West Virginia, this section of the trail is 72 miles, and takes hikers through Harrison, Doddridge, Ritchie and Wood Counties.
Flickr/Paul W.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury
This is one of the longest tunnels along the rail trail, at 577 feet. There are hollows in the wall in case a pedestrian needed to get out of the way of a passing train.
This tunnel is 377 feet long and was created by boring through solid rock.
Along the way you’ll cross bridges, see rock formations, and hike steeper portions of the trail.
TripAdvisor/ServiceBob
Dodd’s Log Cabin Grill is on Main Street, and gets great reviews from travelers.
Dodd’s Log Cabin Grill/Facebook
The restaurant serves all day breakfast, burgers, wings, hoagies, and more, for very reasonable prices. You can refuel before heading back to the park.
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