Mountain biking on a trail within New River Gorge National River.
The beautiful landscapes and the variety of difficult to less challenging bike routes make the New River Gorge among the most popular destinations for mountain biking trips in the eastern U.S. Bike shops, mountain biking trails, outfitters and companies offering guided biking tours of the New River Gorge and nearby areas may be found throughout the region.
The park currently allows bicycles on the following trails within New River Gorge National River:
Southside Junction
6.0 miles/moderate/hiking/biking
This riverside trail provides great views of the New River, and passes through some of the New River Gorge's abandoned mining towns. The first 1.8 miles from the Cunard River Access is open to motorized vehicles. A parking area at Brooklyn marks the end of the maintained road.
Kaymoor Trail
6.0/6.4 miles/moderate/hiking/biking
This trail begins from trailheads at Kaymoor Top and on the Cunard Access Road. It follows an old road and offers views of the gorge and river. From Kaymoor Top, it is 3.6 miles to the Kaymoor Mine site, and 6.4 miles to Cunard. From Cunard, it is 6.0 miles to the Kaymoor Mine site, and 6.4 miles to Kaymoor Top. Note: Bikes are not permitted on the Kaymoor Trail between the mine site and the trailhead on Fayette Station Road.
Stonecliff Trail
2.7 miles/moderate/hiking/biking
This trail follows an old road along the banks of the New River. Great views and easy access to the river are available along this trail.
Rend (Thurmond Minden) Trail
3.2 miles/easy/hiking/biking
A popular bike ride along an abandoned branch line of the C & O Railway. This mostly level trail crosses five railroad trestles. Several overlooks provide scenic views of Thurmond and the New River.
Keeney's Creek Rail Trail
3.0 miles/easy/hiking/biking
The gentle, 4% grade of this scenic forest trail runs along the steep wall of the gorge, an abandoned branch (Keeneys Creek Subdivision) of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway. The trail crosses four railroad trestles and passes under the historic Nuttallburg mine conveyor.
Arrowhead Trail
12.8 miles total/moderate to difficult/hiking/biking
More than 1,000 members of the Order of the Arrow (OA), Boy Scouts of America's national honor society, created this stacked loop trail system in the Craig's Branch area. Four mountain bike loops, rated from moderate to difficult, await adventuresome riders. In one of the largest youth service projects in National Park Service history, the Scouts provided 78,544 volunteer hours, valued at $1.6 million, to build the trails in 2011.
KMZ file for Google Earth users
Bicycles are also permitted on the Bluestone Turnpike Trail at Bluestone National Scenic River.
More bicycle trails may be added to the park trail system in the future, after completion of the park's General Management Plan.
Mountain biking trails are also found at nearby Summersville Lake and Little Beaver State Park.
Cyclist are asked to follow these rules and guidelines:
- Only ride on trails open to bicyles.
- Leave not trace - pack it in, pack it out.
- Control your bicycle!
- Be considerate of other trail users.
- Do not disturb or scare birds or animals.
- Plan ahead.
Bicycle Safety
