L:\Program ACTIVE\Tool Box\WV North Bend Rail Trail info.doc

The North Bend Rail Trail is a multi-use recreational trail operated by West Virginia State Parks. Formerly an abandoned spur of the CSX system, the trail is part of the 5,500 mile coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. Stretching 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg in Wood County to Wolf Summit in Harrison County, this scenic trail passes through 13 tunnels and crosses 36 bridges. Easily accessible from north/south Interstates 77 and 79, the trail nearly parallels US Route 50 east and west.
The trail passes through wild and natural areas, farmland and a variety of small rural communitiies that grew up along its length. The many points of interest and history include the Old Stone House and the former Stage Coach Inn at Pennsboro, a marble factory, hand-blown glass factories, outlet stores, arts and craft markets, fairs and festivals, sites of trail robberies and legends of tunnel ghosts. The trail also passes numerous state, county and local parks.
In the tumultuous years before the Civil War and the creation of the state of West Virginia, the former rail corridor was constructed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between 1853 and 1857. The trail boasts 13 remaining tunnels constructed by the railroad. The number 10 tunnel west of Ellenboro, for example, is 337 feet long and is a "raw" or natural tunnel which is bored through solid rock.

North Bend Rail Trail
Route 1, Box 221
Cairo, West Virginia 26337
(304) 643-2931
1-800-CALL WVA,

What to Expect?
Work is underway on various sections of the trail. If you encounter a rough section, don't despair! Flood-damaged sections have been repaired, drainage problems are being corrected, and other obstacles along the way are being overcome to benefit users of the North Bend Rail Trail.
MAJOR ACCESS POINTS

Parkersburg Trailhead: Take I-77 to the Staunton Avenue Exit. Turn East on Rt. 47 and take the first right turn (about 0.2 mile from interstate) on to Old WV Route 47. Continue about 0.7 mile and turn right on Happy Valley Road. Travel approximately 0.4 mile until you see a large house on the left. Immediately after the stone wall (Millers Landing) is the North Bend Rail Trail. Park on the gravel section opposite the trailed. Western Terminus.
Walker: Exit Rt. 47 at Walker Road, proceed to where road meets trail (barricade on left).
Petroleum: Exit Rt. 50 onto Goose Creek Road and proceed 7 miles to town.
Cairo: Exit Rt. 50 onto Rt. 31 and go 4 miles to town; Rt. 31 crosses the trail and parking is available on the blacktop in town square, or on the gravel lot by the old Bank at Cairo.
Ellenboro: Exit Rt. 50 onto Rt. 16 N, 1/4 mile to trail.
Pennsboro: Exit Rt. 50 onto Rt. 74; go north 1 mile, Rt. 74 crosses the trail at the Depot.
Greenwood: Exit Rt. 50 at Greenwood exit; access trail behind the WV Department of Highways garage and the Greenwood Motel.
West Union: Exit Rt 50 onto Rt. 18 North; the longest bridge of the trail is visible as you approach West Union; access in town or park above athletic field.
Smithburg: Exit Rt. 50 at Smithburg exit; turn right at the bottom of the hill onto old Rt. 50, proceed almost 1/2 mile to Depot and Spencer Park.
Salem: Exit Rt. 50 onto Rt. 23 South; proceed into town to the Depot; trail runs through Salem.
Bristol: Exit Rt. 50 onto Raccoon Run Road, this road crosses trail almost immediately.
Wolf Summit: Exit Rt. 50 at Wolf Summit; nearest access for Eastern Terminus.
I-77: Wood County Section
Miles from Happy Valley
0.0 - Western Terminus NBRT
1.0 - Happy Valley Road
2.7 - Trail crossing private campground
5.7 - Trail crossing road following along River Road
6.4 - Rt. 47 overpass
7.3 - bridge crossing - decked
7.9 - bridge crossing - decked
9.5 - bridge crossing - decked
10.3 - bridge crossing - decked (Red brick building is Walker Post Office)
10.6 - trail crossing road
11.0 - Walker Model Section
13.1 - Tunnel #22, abandoned
13.8 - slip, proceed with caution
14.1 - Tunnel #21 (1,840'), Eaton Tunnel 2nd longest, smooth

Ritchie County Section
15.3 - gravel road crossing, Eaton Road
16.0 - gravel road crossing, Eaton Road
16.7 - Bridge 45 over Goose Creek - decked
16.8 - Bridge 44 over Goose Creek - decked
17.2 - Bridge 43 over Goose Creek - decked
17.3 - Bridge 42 over Goose Creek - decked
17.9 - Town of Petroleum (Elev. 700') camping, rest area, pit toilet, shelter and fire ring
18.0 - Bridge 41 over Goose Creek - decked Bridge 40 over Goose Creek - decked
18.8 - wetland area north of trail (ducks, Canadian Geese, turtles, etc.)
19.0 - Bridge 39 over Goose Creek - decked
19.1 - Bridge 38 over Goose Creek - decked
19.2 - Bridge 37 over Goose Creek - decked
21.9 - Tunnel #19, Silver Run Tunnel (1,376') brick, damp Take a flashlight, reported to be haunted!

22.5 - gravel road crossing Silver Run Road
25.1 - Bridge (decked) 36 over North Fork of Hughes River, Rt. 31 crossing Town of Cairo (elev. 678') groceries, bike shop, WV crafts
28.9 - Tunnel #12 (577') smooth and damp
30.4 - Cement bridge with steel side rails Tunnel #10 (377') Dick Bias Tunnel, carved from solid rock, damp Concrete bridge with side rails
31.3 - gravel road crossing
31.5 - Hobo Rock & Spring, north of trail
31.7 - gravel road crossing, Way Station Road
32.3 - Rt. 50 overpass
32.4 - Ritchie County Middle/High School
33.5 - NBRT overpass of Rt. 16, steepest grade on trail
33.6 - Town of Ellenboro (elev. 785') food, glass and marble factories
33.4 - Bridge 27A over creek, decked & side-railed
35.2 - Bridge 27 over creek, decked & side-railed
35.3 - gravel road crossing
35.8 - gravel road crossing
36.6 - Old Rt. 50 overpass
37.0 - paved road crossing
37.3 - Tunnel #8 (588') brick
38.2 - Town of Pennsboro (elev. 861') B&O Depot being restored; Rt. 74 crossing; lodging, food and bike service
39.1 - Tunnel #7 (779') brick, Old Rt. 50 crosses over tunnel
41.1 - Bridge 26, over North Fork of Hughes River (cement with gravel surface and side rails)
41.7 - Town of Toll Gate (elev. 798')

Doddridge County Section

43.3 - Town of Greenwood (elev. 856') food and lodging
44.0 - paved road crossing, traffic, caution
47.6 - Town/Central Station (elev. 815')
47.9 - cement bridge with gravel surface and side rails
49.0 - Tunnel #6 (2,297') longest
Rest Area: pit toilet, camping, shelter and fire ring added soon
49.6 - Bridge 24, over Old Rt. 50, cement with side rails
50.8 - Town of West Union (elev. 836') food and lodging
51.0 - Bridge 23 (decked and longest) over Rt. 18/Middle Island Creek
51.2 - Bridge 22 (decked) over Middle Island Creek
53.1 - Bridge 21 (decked) over Middle Island Creek
53.7 - Town of Smithburg (elev. 794') Smithton Depot (restored Spencer Park picnic area, five primitive campsites)
54.0 - Rt. 50 bridge overpass
54.5 - Bridge 20 (decked) over Middle Island Creek
55.6 - Bridge 19, cement w/gravel, side rails
New Model Section
55.9 - Bridge 18 cement w/gravel, side rails
57..5 - Bridge 17 with side rails
57.7 - Long Run Road crossing Tunnel #4 (846') Long Run Tunnel
58.5 - Tunnel #3, abandoned
59.1 - Crossing - Long Run Road
59.9 - Bridge, cement w/gravel and side rails
61.4 - Crossing - Long Run Road Town of Industrial (elev. 1,075')
63.0 - Crossing - Long Run Road
Harrison County Section
64.7 - Town of Salem (elev. 1,046') B & O Depot being restored; food and lodging
66.8 - Rest Area: Pit toilet, shelter, camping
67.1 - Town of Bristol (elev. 1,090') primitive camping
68.1 - Tunnel #2 (1,086') damp and rough
69.1 - Bridge 14, cement w/gravel, side rails
71.0 - paved road crossing
Eastern Terminus- Wolf Summit, Clarksburg: elevation 1,136