Southside Trail

Remnants of coal mining days can be found alongside the Southside Trail

NPS/Dave Bieri

Quick Facts

Amenities

3 listed

Parking - Auto, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead

Labeled (2) on the Cunard, Thurmond and Stone Cliff Area Trails map

Length

7.0 miles/11.27 km (One-way)

Difficulty

Easy

Trail type

Hiking and biking

Trail Description

This easy seven mile riverside trail provides great views of the New River and passes through several abandoned New River Gorge mining towns. Rush Run, Red Ash, and Brooklyn were all once bustling communities located along this abandoned railroad line. The first mile from Cunard River Access is open to motorized vehicles.

To reach the trailhead from Route 19

Follow Route 16 south through the town of Fayetteville. Take a left on Gateway Road (sign indicates Kaymoor and Cunard). Follow Gatewood Road for 4.6 miles and turn left at the sign for Cunard. Go 1.8 miles and turn left at both of the signs indicating Cunard River Access Road. Follow this road to the river access point, where parking is available. The first mile from the Cunard River Access is open to motorized vehicles. A parking area at Brooklyn marks the end of the maintained road.