Given the covid19 pandemic, call ahead to verify hours, and remember to practice social distancing. New river gorge national river national geographic trails illustrated map. If the water is high, the floodplain will flood and its best not to hike the trails below the cave. Adam on the river greenbrier river trail sign with bike clover lick depot. Greenbrier river trail cass to marlinton wv virginia. The two sections of this bridge were constructed at different times due to a spectacular train wreck here on may 4, 1924. The town of marlinton is the biggest settlement along the trail and the most popular stopping point for trail users. Greenbrier river trail fall trip 29 sharps tunnel and bridge. Route wv state route river county line wv county route forest route bridge lodging parking park headquarters picnic site restroom nt 64 60 18 92 102. The greenbrier river trail is west virginias millennium legacy trail, one of 50. The last time i went on an overnight trip to west virginia was on my august 30 to september 1, 2008 seneca creek backpacking trip. This portion we biked was about 25 miles from cass to the little town of marlinton. Be sure to book ahead of time however, the seneca firetower fills fast.
This rail trail was once part of the chesapeake and ohio railroad. Have yet to complete the full 78 miles but enjoyed every mile thus far. If you wish to visit the preserve, please contact the new river valley grotto or the vpi cave club to organize a trip. Its also open to bicycling, horseback riding, and in the winter cross. The greenbrier river trail association, partnering with the west virginia land. The map below shows a parking area with convenient.
The 78mile greenbrier river trail is one of west virginias longest rail trails, and it meanders alongside the greenbrier river for most of the way. The greenbrier river trail is a 78mile former railroad now used for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The greenbrier river trail is a railstotrails bike path that meanders 78. Call the pocahontas county cvb to request a free greenbrier river trail map. We offer casual affordable lodging in the center of town and just a 12 block from the trail. Rail trail 10 legend tunnel camping interstate state line u. The river and the trail are surrounded by forest and the occasional clearing.
This report presents information about the experiences of 78 tunnels on 36 trails in the united states open only to nonmotorized traffic. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book. Route wv state route river county line wv county route forest route bridge lodging parking park headquarters picnic site restroom nt 64 60 18 92 102 greenbrier river trail. A selection of books about rails to trails in west virginia can be found here. Sep 23, 2010 the greenbrier river trail is a railstotrails bike path that meanders 78 miles along the greenbrier river in west virginia. After exploring, return back to the cave entrance and take the same trail back to the parking area. Greenbrier river trail west virginia state parks west. After crossing the south fork of tunnel creek, the route rises at a steeper but manageable grade past harrison lakes to 5050 pass and some nearby viewpoints. There is also a steep, slippery path up to the top of the tunnel for the. The trail provides many breath taking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and cuts through some of west virginias most remote.
Virginias extensive railroad history makes for some incredible opportunities for exploring. Greenbrier river trail west virginia state parks west virginia. Greenbrier river trail west virginia rails to trails. Lightweight fly fishing equipment lends itself particularly well to smallmouth in general, especially on the greenbrier. The cabin features two bedrooms with queen beds, cable tv, a sofa sleeper, charcoal grill, one bath, and a beautiful view of the river from the screened porch and living room areas. Today it serves walkers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians. With the river flowing north to south, from caldwell, wv to cass, the trail s mellow one percent grade and numerous access points make it accessible to hikers and. If you want a change of scenery, join a group and hop on our shuttle to the greenbrier river trail. The greenbrier river trail bike trek is a 3day, 66mile cycling event. Greenbrier river trail is a other mountain bike trail in white sulpher springs, west virginia. Each rail trail has its own history and the movement to convert rail to.
Greenbrier river trail west virginia trails traillink. Lodging near greenbrier river trail built in the 1920s to shelter rail riders, the old clark is now a popular stop for bicyclists who ride the same path. Rail trail mile marker monongahela national forest hospital camping shelter cabins non trail facility water cass scenic railroad rail trail 10 legend tunnel camping interstate state line u. There are 77 miles of trail adjacent to the very scenic greenbrier river. The new river gorge bridge, in fayetteville, west virginia, is a destination spot for adventure seekers. Join us for a 3day, 100mile ride on the greenbrier river trail. At its opening in 1964, the chesapeake bay bridgetunnel was named one of the five wonders of the modern world by readers digest magazine. The greenbrier river trail grt, is a linear state park comprising a 77. This is a great rail trail along the greenbrier river. Doe river gorge trail private property tennessee alltrails. The trail provides many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and cuts through some of west virginias most remote areas. Greenbrier river trail great for bikers, hikers the. The trail follows the guest river as it meanders by 8 branches and creeks and terminates at the guest rivers confluence with the clinch river.
This book is a different release date and may have a different cover style. You can also wade the river there from the greenbrier river trail, a 78mile railto trail that follows the river from cass to caldwell. Greenbrier river trail state park lodging old clark inn. Center for research on economic and social policy 2000. Railsto trail with a gentle grade of wide fine gravel in the rushing guest river gorge to its mouth at the clinch river. The trail follows an old railroad bed, and thus makes for easy backpacking. The scenic views, three major bridges and two tunnels make for a very interesting hike or bike outing. Greenbrier river trail mountain bike trail in white sulpher. Tunnel trail new river gorge national river, wv live. Maximizing economic benefits from a railstotrails project in southern west virginia a case study of the greenbrier river trail.
The trail provides many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and cuts through some of west virginias most remote. New river gorge national river national geographic trails. Quite possibly the most unique state park, the greenbrier river trail state park is a. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the underground river. Usersownerdocumentswv state parksgreenbrier river trail state parkgreenbrier river trail state park map model 1 author. The cabins backyard is the greenbrier river trail and the front yard is just steps away from the greenbrier river. We began bicycling on the 79 mile long greenbrier river trail.
Cycling the greenbrier river trail from caldwell to anthony carlin. Greenbrier river trail article about greenbrier river trail. Saying that, the river levels can go from wadeable to flood stage with severe weather events such as snow thaw, hurricanes and severe thunderstorms. Jan 21, 2009 the greenbrier river trail is a 79 mile 120 kilometer long railto trail conversion in eastern west virginia. The greenbrier river trail is about three hours east of charleston, three hours south of morgantown, and two hours west of harrisonburg, va. It has also publicized the parks through at least 500 books, articles, and maps. By now, wed heard all about the greenbrier river trail for biking.
Cycling the greenbriar river trail from the southern end makes it easy to spend a night at the five star greenbrier resort. The green tunnel, a hikers appalachian trail diary is the truelife story of a retirees joys, challenges, and physical rigors while thruhiking the entire 2,185 miles of the appalachian trail in one great epic walk. The trail follows the guest river as it meanders by 8 branches and creeks and terminates at the guest river s confluence with the clinch river. Greenbrier river trail article about greenbrier river. On the first night of that trip, i set my pack down, only to accidentally rest it on my platypus water bladder nozzle. The trail system starts at the far end of the parking area for the caverns. All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Greenbrier river trail great for bikers, hikers the weather. Kim e alltrails along the way, bikers and hikers alike can take this train route over bridges, across rivers, and even through a few tunnels. The greenbrier river is the longest free flowing river in the eastern us, no dams or flow control.
We are glad you stopped by to get more information about the trail, or to get race results from our big fundraiser. The greenbrier river trail is one of 1600 railtrails supported by railstotrails conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Jun 26, 2016 admittedly, the tunnel trail at new river gorge national river in southcentral west virginia is a bit of a letdown sans its namesake attraction. Voted 1 of the top 10 hiking trails in the united states by backpacker magazine, the greenbrier is in one of the most remote areas of the state, surrounded by national forests and state parks. Greenbrier river trail fall trip 29 sharps tunnel and. The new river trail is a fascinating abandoned railroad hike. The greenbrier river trail is a railstotrails bike path that meanders 78 miles along the greenbrier river in west virginia. It give folks a chance to get outside and enjoy the beauty of west virginia.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from october until march. Greenbrier river trail almost heaven west virginia. Watoga bridge trail crosses to east side of greenbrier river on old truss type railroad. It was the culmination of a concerted, decadelong push by a group of men, led by lucius j. With the river flowing north to south, the trails mellow one percent grade and numerous access points make it a great outdoor adventure for most any age. Two tunnels, dozens of bridges, spectacular views including waterfalls. Old bridge piers in river provided rail service to the raine lumber company band mill on the east side of the river from 19 to 1929. Pursuing and fighting these tenacious fish is an excellent yearround pastime. One of the great things about the greenbrier river trail is the opportunity to see remnants of the old railroad, including many whistleposts and historical mile markers. Tunnel trail new river gorge national river, wv live and. The new river trail is virginias fascinating abandoned. The new river trail is a fascinating abandoned railroad. Barring deep structural fixes to the poorlysupported tunnelhistorically a favorite among localsthe rock maze is likely to remain inaccessible for.
Watoga bridge trail crosses to east side of greenbrier river on old truss type railroad bridge. At 162 miles long, the greenbrier river in west virginia is one of the longest freeflowing and undammed rivers in the united states, supplying the new river with 30% of its water volume though the greenbrier is much gentler than the roaring new river. Bring your checkbook, because everything is pricey. Greenbrier river trail parks directory of the united states state parks west virginia location. Floodplain trail the floodplain trail is flat and straight, running through the floodplain of the chipola river.
Beyond beard mile post 31 is one of the trails two spectacular tunnels. Greenbrier river trail west virginia 2020 all you need. When we got back, we pulled the boats onto our rock and headed for the cold beverages. Biking west virginias greenbrier river trail matador. The bridge, 876 feet high and 3,030 feet long, has drawn parachuters and rappellers since about the time it opened in 1977. By collecting and saving oral histories, photographs, artifacts, and records, the park hopes to keep these stories alive and help people create their own new river gorge stories. Passes through an old tunnel and crosses a couple of wood trestles. Today, the trail is can be found within new river trail state park, which offers exquisite views of southern virginia. In the few sections where the river leaves the trail, the water is replaced by light strands of forest. Apr 21, 2017 this abandoned railroad hike through virginia is nothing short of amazing. New river gorge national river protects not only the natural resources of the park, but also the stories. The scenery is spectacular, and the tunnels provide a cool respite on a hot day.
Greenbrier river trail a bike ride in caldwell, west. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from april until september. It is the longest trail of its kind in west virginia. Cyclists with varying levels of experience are invited. Nearly all hikers access the trail from the north side where for the first three miles the moderately easy grade is often within earshot of tunnel creek. Greenbrier river trail diy outdoors west virginia university. A former chesapeake and ohio railroad line, the 77mile trail runs from north caldwell to cass. It stretches 78 miles through a picturesque and surprisingly wild valley, next to a pretty stream, through forests and past open fields in the allegheny. It passes through numerous small towns, over 35 bridges, and through 2 tunnels. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable.
This scenic trail passes through riparian woodlands, creekside. Located in southwestern virginia, the park features one of the best railtrails in the country. Throughout much of its length, the trail runs adjacent to greenbrier river and. Beautiful ride along the greenbrier river with several tunnels and stop overs ends at cass, wva. The water isnt all that bad but wed never paddled in bumpy water before. Through the eyes of history mcneel, william price on. With the river flowing north to south, the trail s mellow one percent grade and numerous access points make it a great outdoor adventure for most any age. Greenbrier river trail this 77 mile long rails to trails conversion is one of the most scenic rides in the area. Droop mountain tunnel greenbrier river trail youtube. During the fall of 2000, railstotrails conservancy identified open trail tunnels across the united states, and conducted an extensive survey of the managers of these tunnels. While this is not really a wilderness trail, it runs alongside the greenbrier river through some attractive rural and riverside scenery of southeast west virginia, including some small towns. The scenic new river trail state park is a prime example. This is the 33rd year of the american lung associations greenbrier river trail bike trek. The greenbrier river trail is a 78mile former railroad now used for hiking.
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