rail-trails mid-atlantic: delaware, maryland, virginia, washington dc and west virginia

RailTrails:Mid-Atlantic

1stEDITIONJanuary20074thprinting2010

Photographonp.93bySallyOlds;p.111byJimWymanAllotherinteriorphotographsbyRailsto-TrailsConservancy

Maps:GeneOligandLohnes+Wright

Mapdatacourtesyof:EnvironmentalSystemsResearchInstituteCoverdesign:LisaPletkaandBarbaraRichey

Bookdesignandlayout:LisaPletkaBookeditors:KarenStewart,JenniferKaleba,andEvaDienel

ISBN:978-0-89997-427-9

ManufacturedinCanada

Publishedby: WildernessPress KeenCommunications POBox43673 Birmingham,AL35243 (800)443-7227info@wildernesspress.com www.wildernesspress.comVisitourwebsiteforacompletelistingofourbooksandfororderinginformation.

Coverphotos: NewRiverTrail(mainimage); VirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrail(upperleft);

NumberNineTrollyLine(lowerright);PatuxentBranchTrail(backcover)

Titlepagephoto: RailroadFordTrail

All rights reserved. No part of this bookmay be reproduced in any form, or by anymeans electronic,mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for briefquotationsusedinreviews.

SAFETYNOTICE:AlthoughWildernessPressandRailsto-TrailsConservancyhavemadeeveryattempttoensurethattheinformationinthisbookisaccurateatpresstime,theyarenotresponsibleforanyloss,damage,injury,orinconveniencethatmayoccurtoanyonewhileusingthisbook.Youareresponsibleforyourownsafetyandhealthwhileinthewilderness.Thefactthatatrailisdescribedinthisbookdoesnotmeanthatitwillbesafeforyou.Beawarethattrailconditionscanchangefromdaytoday.Alwayschecklocalconditionsandknowyourownlimitations.

AboutRailsto-TrailsConservancyHeadquarteredinWashington,DC,Railsto-TrailsConservancy(RTC)fosters

one great mission: to protect America’s irreplaceable rail corridors bytransforming them into multiuse trails. Its hope is that these pathways willreconnect Americans with their neighbors, communities, nature, and proudhistory.RailwayshelpedbuildAmerica.Spanningfromcoast tocoast, theseribbons

of steel linked people, communities, and enterprises, spurring commerce andforgingasinglenationthatbridgesacontinent.Butinrecentdecades,manyofthese routes have fallen into disuse, severing communal ties that helped bindAmericanstogether.WhenRTCopeneditsdoorsin1986,therailtrailmovementwasinitsinfancy.

While therewere some250miles of open railtrails in theUnitedStates,mostprojectsfocusedonsingle,linearroutesinruralareas,createdforrecreationandconservation. RTC sought broader protection for the unused corridors,incorporatingrural,suburban,andurbanroutes.Year after year, RTC’s efforts to protect and align public fundingwith trail

buildingcreatedanenvironmentthatallowedtrailadvocatesincommunitiesallacross the country to initiate trail projects. These ever-growing ranks of trailprofessionals, volunteers, and RTC supporters have built momentum for thenationalrailtrailsmovement.Asthenumberofsupportersmultiplied,sotoodidtherailtrails.Bytheturnofthe21stcentury,thereweresome1100railtrailsontheground,andRTCrecordednearly84,000supporters, frombusiness leadersandpoliticianstoenvironmentalistsandhealthy-livingadvocates.Americansnowenjoymorethan13,000milesofopenrailtrails.Andasthey

flocktothetrailstocommunewithneighbors,neighborhoods,andnature,theireconomic,physical,andenvironmentalwellnesscontinuestoflourish.In 2006, Railsto-Trails Conservancy celebrated 20 years of creating,

protecting, serving, and connecting railtrails. Boasting more than 100,000members and supporters, RTC is the nation’s leading advocate for trails andgreenways.

NewRiverTrailStatePark,Virginia

ForewordDearReader:First,forthoseofyouwhohavealreadyexperiencedthesheerenjoymentand

freedomofridingonarailtrail,welcomeback!You’llfindRailTrails:Mid-Atlantictobeausefulandfunguidetoyourfavoritetrails.Itmayevenhelpyoufindsomenewpathwaysyoudidn’talreadyknowabout.Foryoureaderswhoarediscovering,forthefirsttime,theadventuresyoucan

haveonarailtrail,thankyouforjoiningtherailtrailmovement.Since1986,Railsto-TrailsConservancyhasbeentheNo.1supporteranddefenderofthesepricelesspubliccorridors,andweareexcitedtobringyouRailTrails:Mid-Atlanticsoyou,too,canenjoythisregion’srailtrails.Builtonunused,formerrailroadcorridors,thesehikingandbikingtrailsare

idealwaystoconnectwithyourcommunity,withnature,andwithyourfriendsandfamily.I’vefoundthatrailtrailshaveawayofbringingpeopletogether,andasyou’llseefromthisbook,youhaveopportunitiesineverystateyouvisittogetonatrail.Whetheryou’relookingforaplacetoexercise,explore,commute,orplay–thereisarailtrailinthisbookforyou.SoIinviteyoutositback,relax,pickatrailthatpiquesyourinterest–andthen

getout,getactive,andhavesomefun.I’llbeoutonthetrails,too,sobesuretowaveasyougoby.HappyTrails,KeithLaughlinPresident,Railsto-TrailsConservancy

ContentsAbouttheRailsTo-TrailsConservancyForewordIntroductionHowtoUseThisBook

DELAWARE1 JamesF.HallTrail2 JunctionandBreakwaterTrail3 Tri-ValleyTrail

MARYLAND4 AlleghenyHighlandsTrailMaryland5 BaltimoreandAnnapolisTrail6 CapitalCrescentTrail7 CollegeParkTrolleyLineTrail8 CrossIslandTrail9 GoldmineLoopTrail10 LowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenwayTrail11 MA&PAHeritageTrail12 NorthernCentralRailroadTrail13 NumberNineTrollyLine14 PatuxentBranchTrail15 PointLookoutRailroadTrail16 SavageMillTrail17WesternMarylandRailTrail

VIRGINIA18 ChessieNatureTrail19 DevilsForkLoopTrail20 GuestRiverGorgeTrail21 HangingRockBattlefieldTrail22 HuckleberryTrail23 JamesRiverHeritageTrail24 LakeAccotinkTrail25 LittleStonyNationalRecreationTrail26 NewRiverTrailStatePark27 PhillipsCreekLoopTrail

28 RailroadFordTrail29 RichmondandDanvilleRailTrail30 RiverwalkTrail31 StauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail32 VirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrail33WashingtonandOldDominionRailroadRegionalPark34WildernessRoadTrail

WESTVIRGINIA35 AlleghenyHighlandsTrail36 BarnumRailTrail37 BlackwaterCanyonTrail38 BrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionTrail39 CountyLineTrail40 CranberryTri-RiversRailTrail41 EastForkTrail42 FlatrockRunTrail43 GladeCreekTrail44 GreaterWheelingTrail45 GreenbrierRiverTrail46 LimerockTrail47MorgantownRailTrailSystem48 NarrowGaugeTrail49 NorthBendRailTrail50 OtterCreekWildernessArea

OtterCreekTrailGreenMountainTrailMooreRunTrail

51 SenecaCreekTrail52 SouthProngTrail53 ThurmondMindenTrail54WestForkRiverTrail55WestForkTrail56WhitmeadowRidgeTrail

Appendix:StaffPicksAcknowledgments

PhillipsCreekLoopTrail,Virginia

INTRODUCTIONOf the more than 1400 railtrails across the US, 112 thread through theMid-AtlanticstatesofDelaware,Maryland,Virginia,andWestVirginia.Theseroutesrelatea two-partstory:Thefirstspeaks to theearlyyearsof railroading,whilethe second showcases efforts byRailsto-TrailsConservancy, othergroups, andtheirsupporterstoresurrecttheseunusedrailroadcorridorsaspublic-usetrails.RailTrails: Mid-Atlantic highlights 56 of the region’s diverse trails, each

servingasawindowintothecommunitiestherailroadonceserved.Sometrailsdelve into the particular history of an area, such as Virginia’s Hanging RockBattlefield Trail, which tells of Civil War battles and the importance of therailroad to the troops.Other trails tell amore docile tale, such asMaryland’sSavageMillTrail.Atitstrailheadstandsarenovated1822textilemill.Withthemosttrailsoftheregion,WestVirginiaalsoboastssomeofthemost

rural and unique railtrails. Not always the flat and even pathways you mightexpect from railtrails,WestVirginia’s trailsoffer avarietyofbackwoods trekssuch as the Limerock and Otter CreekWilderness trails of the MonongahelaNationalForest.Tocomplimenttheserusticpathwaysarethewell-groomedyetstillwildandwonderfulMountainStatetrailslikethegorgeousandpopular77-mileGreenbrierRiverTrail,orthepaved,citytrailsofMorgantown.Next door,Virginia is also a keeper of railtrail gems.No guide to the area

would be complete without featuring the state’s southern Virginia CreeperNationalRecreationTrailorNewRiverTrail. In thenorthernpartof thestate,rightoutsidethebustleofWashington,DC,theWashingtonandOldDominionRailroadRegionalParktakesridersoutofthecityandintorollingfarmlandandhorsecountry.Washington, DC, itself is home to a portion of the Capital Crescent Trail,

whichbeginsinsuburbanMarylandbeforeheadingtothehistoricalandtrendyGeorgetown neighborhood. And in the state best known for its crabs andwaterways,Maryland’sCross IslandTrail isacoastal sojourn.Theonlycloseryou could get would be to meander on Delaware’s Junction and BreakwaterTrail,whichsitsintheheartofthestate’srecreationalbeacharea.NomatterwhichrouteinRailTrails:Mid-Atlanticyoudecidetotry,you’llbe

touchingontheheartofthecommunitythathelpedbuilditandthehistorythatfirstbroughttherailstotheregion.

WhatisaRailTrail?

Railtrailsaremultiusepublicpathsbuiltalongformerrailroadcorridors.Mostoften flat or following a gentle grade, they are suited to walking, running,cycling,mountainbiking,inlineskating,cross-countryskiing,horsebackriding,andwheelchairuse.Sincethe1960s,Americanshavecreatedmorethan13,000milesofrailtrailsthroughoutthecountry.These extremely popular recreation and transportation corridors traverse

urban,suburban,andrurallandscapes.Manypreservehistoriclandmarks,whileothers serve as wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks andestablishing greenways in developed areas. Railtrails also stimulate localeconomiesbyboostingtourismandpromotingtrailsidebusinesses.

WhatisaRail-with-Trail?Arail-with-trailisapublicpaththatparallelsastill-activerailline.Somerun

adjacent to high-speed, scheduled trains, often linking public transportationstations, while others follow tourist routes and slow-moving excursion trains.Many share an easement, separated from the rails by extensive fencing.Therearemorethan115rails-with-trailsintheUS.

HOWTOUSETHISBOOKRailTrails: Mid-Atlantic provides the information you’ll need to plan arewardingrailtrailtrek.Withwordstoinspireyouandmapstochartyourpath,itmakeschoosingthebestrouteabreeze.Followingaresomeofthehighlights.

MapsYou’llfindthreelevelsofmapsinthisbook:anoverallregionalmap,state

locatormaps,anddetailedtrailmaps.The Mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West

Virginia. Each chapter details a particular state’s network of trails,marked onlocatormapsinthechapterintroduction.Usethesemapstofindthetrailsnearestyou, or select several neighboring trails and plan aweekend hiking or bikingexcursion. Once you find a trail on a state locator map, simply flip to thecorresponding page number for a full description. Accompanying trail mapsmarkeach route’s access roads, trailheads, parking areas, restrooms, andotherdefiningfeatures.

TrailDescriptionsTrails are listed in alphabetical order within each chapter. Each description

leads off with a set of summary information, including trail endpoints andmileage,aroughnessindex,thetrailsurface,andpossibleuses.Themapandsummaryinformationlistthetrailendpoints(eitheracity,street,

ormorespecificlocation),withsuggestedpointsfromwhichtostartandfinish.Additional access points are marked on the maps and mentioned in the traildescriptions. The maps and descriptions also highlight available amenities,including parking and restrooms, as well as such area attractions as shops,services,museums,parks,andstadiums.Traillengthislistedinmiles.Eachtrailbearsaroughnessindexratingfrom1to3.Aratingof1indicatesa

smooth, level surface that is accessible to users of all ages and abilities. A 2ratingmeansthesurfacemaybelooseand/orunevenandcouldposeaproblemforroadbikesandwheelchairs.A3ratingsuggestsaroughsurfacethatisonlyrecommendedformountainbikersandhikers.Surfacescanrangefromasphaltor concrete to ballast, cinder, crushed stone, gravel, grass, dirt, and/or sand.Whererelevant,traildescriptionsaddressalternatingsurfaceconditions.All railtrails areopen topedestrians, andmost allowbicycles, exceptwhere

noted in the trail summary or description. The summary also indicateswheelchairaccess.Otherpossibleuses include inlineskating,mountainbiking,hiking,horsebackriding,fishing,andcross-countryskiing.Whilemosttrailsareoff-limits tomotorvehicles, some local trailorganizationsdoallowATVsandsnowmobiles.Trail descriptions themselves suggest an ideal itinerary for each route,

includingthebestparkingareasandaccesspoints,wheretobegin,yourdirectionof travel, and any highlights along theway. The text notes any connecting orneighboring routes, with page numbers for the respective trail descriptions.Followingeachdescriptionaredirectionstotherecommendedtrailheads.Eachtraildescriptionalsolistsalocalcontact(name,address,phonenumber,

and website) for further information. Be sure to call these trail managers orvolunteergroupsinadvanceforupdatesandcurrentconditions.

KeytoMapIcons

TrailUseRailtrails are popular routes for a range of uses, often making them busy

placestoplay.Trailetiquetteapplies.Ifpassingothertrailusersonyourbicycle,always try topasson the leftwithanaudiblewarningsuchasabike-mountedbellorapolitebutfirm,“Passingonyourleft!”Foryoursafetyandthatofothertrailusers,keepchildrenandpetsfromstrayingintooncomingtrailtraffic.Keepdogsleashed,andsupervisechildrenuntiltheycandemonstrateproperbehavior.Cyclistsandinlineskatersshouldwearhelmets,reflectiveclothing,andother

safety gear, as some trails involve hazardous road crossings. It’s also best tobringaflashlightorbike-orhelmet-mountedlightfortunnelpassagesortwilightexcursions.

KeytoTrailUse

LearnMoreWhileRailTrails:Mid-Atlantic is a helpful guide to available routes in the

region, it wasn’t feasible to list every railtrail in the Mid-Atlantic, and newrailtrailsspringupeachyear.Tolearnaboutadditionalrailtrailsinyourareaortoplan a trip to an areabeyond the scopeof this book, logon to theRailsto-TrailsConservancy home page (www.railstotrails.org) and click on the Find aTrail link. RTC’s online database lists more than 1400 railtrails nationwide,searchablebystate,county,city,trailname,surfacetype,length,activity,and/orkeywords regarding your interest. A number of listings include photos andreviewsfrompeoplewho’vealreadyvisitedthetrail.

Delaware

1JamesF.HallTrail2JunctionandBreakwaterTrail3Tri-ValleyTrail

DELAWAREJamesF.HallTrail

LocationNewCastleCounty

EndpointsDelawareTechnologyParkatWyomingRoadtoBradfordLane

Mileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltThisrail-with-trailpacksalotintoashortstretch:Itspavedsurfaceisgreatforbicycling, inline skating, and strolling, and there are multiple playgrounds,picnicareas,andaccesspointsalongtheroute.Bestofall,thisurbantrailnevercrossesaroad,soyoucancoastuninterruptedforitsentirelength.The trail also offers alternative transportation benefits, connecting Newark

neighborhoodswith a regional transit station, theUniversity ofDelaware, andshoppingcenters.Ifyou’reatrainaficionado,it’salmostguaranteedthatyou’llspotacarridingalongtheadjacentrailcorridor,usedbyAmtrak,CSX,andtheSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). But you won’tgettooclosetothetrains,asalargefenceseparatesthetrailfromtheactiverails.Familieswith young childrenwill especially enjoy this route,which passes

threeplaygroundsfeaturingswings,slides,baseballdiamonds,andsoccerfields,plus basketball, handball, and tennis courts.The trail also crosses streams andwetlandsandruns throughasemi-forestedarea.Policecallboxesareprovidedeverytenthofamile,andthetrailislitforuseafterdark.

TheJamesF.HallTrailisawonderfulexampleofanurbanrail-with-trail.

DIRECTIONS

ToreachDelawareTechnologyParkatthenorthernendofthetrail,fromInterstate95, takeStateRoute896north towarddowntown.TurnrightonEastParkPlace,andthenturnleftontoSouthChapelStreetandrightontoWyomingRoad.ParkacrossfromtheCollegeSquareShoppingCenter.ThetrailbeginsrightattheintersectionofWyomingRoadandLibraryAve.ToreachCollegeAve./SeptaStation,fromInterstate95,takeStateRoute

896 (College Ave.) north to head downtown. After the University ofDelaware field house and sports arena, go over an overpass. The trail isunderthisoverpass.Takeaquickleftattheendoftheoverpass,whereyouwillfindparkingandtheSeptaStation.To reach Bradford Lane at the southeastern end of the trail, from

Interstate95,takeStateRoute896northandturnleftontoWestParkPlace.Turn left onto Apple Road, and then turn right onto Chrysler Ave. TurnrightontoBradfordLane,justafterpassingDevonDrive.Thetrailisattheendoftheroad.Thereisnodedicatedparkingatthislocation.

Contact: NewarkParksandRecreation220ElktonRoadNewark,DE19711(302)366-7060www.cityofnewarkde.us/index.aspx?NID=434

DELAWAREJunctionandBreakwaterTrail

LocationSussexCounty

EndpointsWolfeNecktoRehobothBeach

Mileage3

RoughnessIndex1

SurfaceAsphalt,ballastThis beautiful, pine-studded railtrailwinds throughCapeHenlopen State Parknext towetlands and farmland, offering a break from the nearby beaches andeclecticshoppingareas.ThetrailrunsfromWolfeNeckinLewestothetownofRehobothBeachandprovidesaperfectnatureretreat.Thetrailismostlycrushedstone,exceptforthelast0.2milenearRehoboth,

when itbecomesasphalt.As it iswell-traveledby localsand touristsalike,besure torememberyour trailetiquette.Youwillbesharingthemostlyflatroutewith bicyclists, walkers, runners, wheelchair users, and families with strollersanddogs.

TheJunctionandBreakwaterTrailiscooloasisinthepinesinthisDelawarebeachtown.

PickupthetrailatWolfeGlade(offWolfeNeckRoad),aforestedareaofoak,hemlock,andpines.Turnlefttohead0.6miletothetrail’send,orturnrighttoheadtowardRehobothBeach.Alongtheway,thetrailoffersviewsofwetlands,especially at HollandGlade, via a refurbished 80-foot railroad bridge built in1913.Continuefartherandyou’llfindyourselfflankedbycornfieldsandforests.Hawks,geese(bothsnowandCanadageese)canbespottedintheair,anddeer,squirrels,andothersmallwoodlandanimalssharethetrail.

At the trail’s southern end,TangerOutlets providesbargainhunterswith anopportunitytobreakfromthetrail,shopthemall,andgrababitetoeatbeforeheadingbackintotherelativecalmoftheJunctionandBreakwaterTrail.

DIRECTIONSToreachWolfeNeck,takeStateRoute1toLewes.Iftravelingnorthon

Route1, turn rightontoWolfeNeckRoad. (Ifyouare traveling southonRoute1,youwillneedtopassthisturnandtakeaU-turnatthenexttrafficlightinordertoaccessWolfeNeckRoad.Youcanalsogoslightlyfarthersouth on Route 1 and turn left onto Munchy Branch Road, which youfollowasitcurvestotheleftuntil ithitsWolfeNeckRoad.)Youwillseethe Wolfe House on your right, where parking, restrooms, and a waterfountaincanbefoundnexttothe0.2-milepathleadingtothetrail.Toreachthetrail’send,fromRehoboth,takeRoute1towardtheTanger

Outlets (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive in Rehoboth Beach). There is abike/pedestrian path from the parking lot of the Tanger Outlets (lookbetweenthebuildingsinthemiddle)totheactualtrail.

Contact: DelawareStateParks89KingsHwy.Dover,DE19901(302)739-9220www.destateparks.com/activities/trails/index.asp

DELAWARETri-ValleyTrail

LocationNewCastleCountyEndpointsWhiteClayCreekStateParkMileage2

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirtTheTri-ValleyTrailisaneasy-to-followloopthatbeginsandendsonHopkinsRoadinWhiteClayCreekStateParknearthepark’snaturecenter.TheportionofthetrailontheeastsideofWhiteClayCreekfollowsthepathofthePomeroyandNewark Railroad, which is why this trail is sometimes referred to as thePomeroy RailTrail. The Pomeroy Railroad operated from 1873 to 1929,connectingPomeroy,Pennsylvania,withNewark,Delaware,andDelawareCity.Therailroadwasoftenreferredtobylocalsasthe“PumpsieDoodle.”Fromthenaturecenterparkinglot,walktoHopkinsRoadandcrossittofind

thebeginningofthetrail.Afteramile,thetrailturnsleft,passestheparkinglotnearWedgewoodRoad,andthencrossesabridgeoverWhiteClayCreek.Mostofthistrailhasanaturalsurface,butthetraildevelopersputcrushedstonedownfor a very short portion of the trail after the bridge. Follow the route of thecrushed stone, as it is there to indicate the direction of this railtrail. The oldrailroadwas located on the side of the creek; look for a sign shortly after thebridgeonyourrightthatprovidesinformationontherailroad’shistory.

Looptrailsareuncommonformostrailtrails,butthispathgivesyouthebestofbothsidesofWhiteClayCreek.

Alongtheway,thetrailconnectstoseverallonger,steeperhiking/bikingtrailsthatcross theMason-DixonLine intoPennsylvania,but stayingnear thecreekwillkeepyouonthecourseofthisrailtrail.

DIRECTIONSTo begin at the center of the trail, take StateRoute 896 (NewLondon

Road) northwest out of Newark. Turn right onto Wedgewood Road and

followittotheend.Parkingisontheleft,andthetrailgoesnorthandeastoftheparkinglot.Parking at the nature center can be reached by taking StateRoute 896

(NewLondonRoad)northwestofNewark.TurnrightontoHopkinsRoadafter you pass the main entrance to White Clay Creek State Park, andfollowthesignstothenaturecenter.Fromthere,backtrackontheroadtothetrailacrossHopkinsRoad.

Contact:WhiteClayCreekStateParkNatureCenter425WedgewoodRoadNewark,DE19711(302)368-6560www.destateparks.com

Tri-ValleyTrail,Delaware

Maryland

4AlleghenyHighlandsTrailMaryland5BaltimoreandAnnapolisTrail6CapitalCrescentTrail7CollegeParkTrolleyLineTrail8CrossIslandTrail9GoldmineLoopTrail10LowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenwayTrail11MA&PAHeritageTrail12NorthernCentralRailroadTrail13NumberNineTrollyLine14PatuxentBranchTrail15PointLookoutRailroadTrail16SavageMillTrail17WesternMarylandRailTrail

MARYLANDAlleghenyHighlandsTrailMaryland

LocationAlleganyCountyEndpointsWoodcockHollowRoadtoMaryland-PennsylvaniaStateLineMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstone,asphaltThe Allegheny Highlands Trail Maryland (AHTM) follows the route of thehistoricWesternMarylandRailroadfor11.5milesfromWoodcockHollowRoadto thePennsylvaniaborder.TheAHTMparallels theWesternMarylandScenicRailroadanditsoperationalsteamlocomotive,whichprovidesscenicthree-hourexcursionstointerestedtravelers.The trail begins in the town of Frostburg at the FrostburgDepot, and from

there heads in two directions–toWoodcock Hollow or the state boarder. TheFrostburgDepot,constructedin1891,servedasapassengerandfreightstation.In1989,thedepotwasrestoredasarestaurant,anditnowservesastheendpointoftheWesternMarylandScenicRailroadtour.Follow the AHTM north to travel toward theMason-Dixon Line, which is

approximately 5 miles from Frostburg. En route, you will pass through theBordenTunnel,whichwasbuiltin1911andisnearly1000feetlong.Onahotday,itprovidesarefreshingreleasefromthesummer’sheat.Thisrelativelyflat,crushed-limestone trail offers beautiful scenery of the rolling hills in westernMaryland. TheMason-DixonLine rests at the state border betweenMarylandand Pennsylvania and is the official end of the AHTM. However, the trailcontinuesastheGreatAlleghenyPassageallthewaytoPittsburgh.

ThelongbridgespanontheAlleghenyHighlandsTrailMarylandoffersaviewfromtheoldrailroad’sperspective.

Tunnelsbeneathroadwaysareoftenconstructedtoproviderailtrailuserswithsafe,traffic-freepassage.

Trailheadsoftenofferamenitiessuchasdrinkingfountains,restrooms,parking,bikeracks,andmaps.

The AHTM also travels approximately 6 miles east from Frostburg toWoodcock Hollow Road. This section of the trail also follows the historicWesternMarylandScenicRailroad.Atthetimeofthiswriting,constructionwasunderway to finish the remaining9-mile sectionof the trail connecting itwithCumberland.When complete, the entire trailwill bemore than 20miles longandwillconnecttothenearly1000-foot-longBrushTunnel,alsobuiltin1911.ThetunnelwillalsobesharedwiththeWesternMarylandScenicRailroad.

DIRECTIONSFromCumberland,takeInterstate68westandexitatMDRoute36(exit

34)toheadnorthtowardFrostburg.TurnleftontoMainStreet(USRoute40).Inlessthanamile,turnrightontoDepotRoad,justpasttheDomino’sPizza.FollowDepotRoadtotheOldDepotTrainStation.TurnrightontoNew Hope Road and follow it for less than a quarter mile. Trailheadparkingislocatedontheright.ToreachthetrailheadatWoodcockHollowRoad,followMDRoute36

northfromFrostburgtoBarrellville,andturnrightontoWoodcockHollowRoad.ThetrailheadisapproximatelyamiledownWoodcockHollowRoadontheright.

Contact: AlleghenyHighlandsTrailMarylandPOBox28Cumberland,MD21501(301)687-4428www.ahtmtrail.org

MARYLANDBaltimoreandAnnapolisTrail

LocationHowardandAnneArundelcountiesEndpointsAnnapolis(JonasGreenPark)toGlenBurnie(DorseyRoad)Mileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltIf you are looking to augment your physical workout with some intellectualexercise, try out the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail, or the B&A Trail. Thisscenic,pavedpathismorethanjustatrail—it’sahistorylessonandtourthroughoursolarsystem.ThetrailfollowstherouteoftheAnnapolisandBaltimoreShortLine,which

started running freight and passenger service in 1880 and helped shape thissuburban region near the nation’s capital. Today, the trail is a 112-acre linearpark thatwinds through parks, neighborhoods, and naturalwooded areas. ThetrailalsopassestheMarleyStationshoppingmall,andtherangerstationatmilemarker 6.3, where public grills and a large field make an ideal picnic stop.Portionsof the trail are sponsoredby trailvolunteerswho tend the flowerbedsandkiosksalongthetrail.Alongthetrail,youwillfindaliteralalphabetofhistoricalmarkers,fromAto

Z.TheAmarker,atmile0.1,istheWinchesterStationHouseatManresa,nearthe Annapolis start of the trail. At mile 13.3, you will find the Z markeridentifyingtheSawmillBranch,thearea’ssourceofwaterandpowerintheearly18th century. To follow alongwith eachmarker, pick up a flyer at the rangerstation.

TheBaltimoreandAnnapolisTrailisoneforallseasons–fromstunningleafcolorinthefalltobloomingtrailsidegardensinthespring.

NearHarundaleMallatmile12,youwillcomeuponthePlanetWalk,alinearmuseumwith educational displays for the sun and each planet. Sponsored byNASA,theplanetsaretruetoscaleandeachhasaneducationalstoryboardaboutoursolarsystem.The trail, and its educational opportunities, end in the small town of Glen

Burnie.ButyoumaycontinueontheBWITrailloopthatconnectstothenorthend of the trail for an additional 12.5miles around theBaltimoreWashingtonInternationalAirport.

DIRECTIONSThe Annapolis trailhead is located off US Route 50 past the Severn

River. Take exit 27 and head south toward the Naval Academy on MDRoute450.TheparkinglotforJonasGreenParkisontheright.Therearedirectionstothetrailontheboardneartheentranceoftheparkinglot.To reach the Glen Burnie trailhead, take US Route 50 east from

Washington, DC, to exit 21 and follow Interstate 97 north. Take exit 15leading to MD Route 176 west (Dorsey Road). Continue on 176 beforeturningrightontoMDRoute648(BaltimoreandAnnapolisBlvd.).Atthefirst light, take a right onCrainHwy. and then take a right ontoCentralAve.Theparkinglotisontherightandrunsalongthetrail.

Contact:MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources580TaylorAve,E2AnnapolisMD21401(410)260-8778www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/b&a_trail.html

MARYLANDCapitalCrescentTrail

LocationMontgomeryCounty,Maryland,andWashington,DCEndpointsSilverSpring,Maryland,toGeorgetowninWashington,DCMileage11

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceAsphalt,crushedstone,gravelThe11-mileCapitalCrescentTrailfollowstherouteoftheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad’sGeorgetownBranch rail lineof theBaltimoreandOhioRailroad. Itbegins in downtown Silver Spring east of the Rock Creek Trestle and curveswestwardandsouth throughMarylandand intoWashington,DC, toend in theheart of historicGeorgetown. Someday, the section between downtown SilverSpringandBethesda,Maryland,willbepavedandofficiallybecomepartoftheCapital Crescent, but until then this section is actually called theGeorgetownBranchTrail.

AthickcanopyoftreesshadespartsoftheCapitalCrescentTrail.

The asphalt section of the trail connects Georgetown to Bethesda. InGeorgetown, the trail travels with the Potomac River on one side and theChesapeake&OhioCanalNationalHistoricalPark towpathon theother side.From the trail, you canwatch the rowing crews ofGeorgetownUniversity atpractice or possibly jog past a senator. Deer, foxes, rabbits, many species ofbirds,and,ofcourse,thethreecolorsofubiquitousWashington,DC,squirrels—white,grey,andblack—alsosharethetrail.

In Georgetown near Thompsons Boat Center and in west Silver Spring atJonesMillRoad,thetrailconnectstoRockCreekPark,adenselyforestedareathatclosesitsroadstocartrafficontheweekendandbecomesaplaygroundfornon-motorized uses. The loop of the Capital Crescent and Rock Creek Parktotals22milesandtakesyoupasttheNationalZoologicalParkandtheKennedyCenter.InSilverSpring,Bethesda,andGeorgetown,thereareanumberofplacesjust

offthetrailtohaveamealoracupofcoffee,aswellasalargenumberofshops.

DIRECTIONSToreachtheSilverSpringterminusfromWashington’sCapitalBeltway

(Interstate 495), take theGeorgiaAve. exit and head south toward SilverSpring.TurnrightonColesvilleRoadtowardtheMetrostation.Atthefirstlight, turn right onto SecondAve.TheGeorgetownBranchTrail starts atthisintersection.To start in Bethesda, take the Capital Beltway to the MD Route 355

(Wisconsin Ave.) exit and head south toward Bethesda. In downtownBethesda,turnrightontoBethesdaAve.ThetrailcrossesBethesdaAve.atWoodmontAve.,justoneblockwestofWisconsinAve.TobeginintheGeorgetownneighborhoodofWashington,DC,gosouth

onWisconsinAve.toitsendundertheWhitehurstFreewayandturnrightontoWaterStreet.ThetrailbeginsattheendofWaterStreet.StreetparkingisusuallyavailablealongWaterStreetonweekends.

Contact: CoalitionfortheCapitalCrescentTrailPOBox30703Bethesda,MD20824(202)234-4874www.cctrail.org

MARYLANDCollegeParkTrolleyLineTrail

LocationPrinceGeorge’sCountyEndpointsBerwynHouseRoadtoGreenbeltRoadMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltTheCollegeParkTrolleyLineTrailprovidesasafepathwayforstudents,fromkindergartners to doctoral candidates, to walk and bike to school in CollegePark.Theshort,paved trail follows the routeof the trolley thatonce ran fromWashington,DC,toLaurelbetween1903andthemid-’50s.Withserviceroadsoneithersideofthetrail,trailusershaveeasyaccesstothreeschools,andthereisapartialrouteforcollegestudentsheadingtonearbyUniversityofMaryland.Of course, you don’t have to be earning a degree to use the trail. Local

residentsusethepathforafter-dinnerwalks,commuterstakeitasashortcuttotheMetrorailsystem,andhousecatsfinditagoodplacetowaitforanindulgenthandtogivethemapat.Thetrailsitsonaraisedbermandcrossesseveralquietneighborhood roads, where you can easily pick up the pathway. Plans forexpansionofthetrailwillenablethepathwaytoconnecttoaseriesoflongtrailsaroundtheregion,andlinkallofCollegePark,endtoend.

Inthisuniversitytown,theCollegeParkTrolleyLineTrailbringstogetherpeopleofallages.

Mostlyshadednearlyallyearbywalnut,maple,andfloweringtreesthattowernearthetrailfromneighboringyards,therailtrailalsoservesassomethingofahome-and-garden tour.Residents of the quirky Sears bungalows and ramblingcolonials along the trail use their yards to showcase their green thumbs.Additionally,severalbusinesseswithinablockoftrail,includinganimpressiveherb shop and a corner convenience store, provide diversions during a shortstroll.

DIRECTIONSTogettothestartpointfromWashington’sbeltway,Interstate495,take

exit25BsouthonMDRoute1.TurnrightontoBerwynHouseRoadandlookforthetrailheadontherightintwoblocks.Parkingisonthestreet.

Contact: CollegeParkAreaBicycleCoalition5206PaducahRoadCollegePark,MD20740www.cpabc.org/home.htm

MARYLANDCrossIslandTrail

LocationQueenAnne’sCountyEndpointsTerrapinNatureParktoKentNarrows,KentIslandMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltMaryland’s Cross Island Trail spans Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County,providingmultiplepointsofaccesstoeverythingfromlibrariesandschools, toball fields and the waterfront. It’s an impressively signed, well-maintained,beautifulcommunityasset.BeginatTerrapinNaturePark,aparcelofprotectedlandforbirdsandnative

plant life. Just past thenature area, to the left of the trail, is anoldgraveyardwithlessthanadozencrackedandweatherheadstonestuckedintothetrees.Ifyou can spot it, it’sworth a peak. From here, the trail quicklywinds throughlightresidentialneighborhoodsandstandsofwhitepinesandhemlocks.

TheCrossIslandTrailskirtsinletsoftheChesapeakeBay.

Atthefirstmilemarker,youcometoOldLovePointPark,arecreationareawithbaseballandsoccerfields.Continuingalong,thetrailpassesthroughfarmfields,andyou’llbeable toseea lighthouse in thedistance that indicateshowcloseyoureallyaretotheseashore.Atmile3.8,youwillhavetodoashort,back-roadjogtoreconnectwiththe

trail, but a blue-painted bike lanemakes this a simple transition.Back on thepath, you’ll come to a longwooden bridge that provides the first unhindered

viewofthewater.ThislovelyexpanseisagemoftheCrossIslandTrail.Before reaching themarina inKentNarrows,youmustheaduphill to cross

overthecausewayontheparallelUSHwy.50,wherethereisanextremelywideshoulder. At the marina, you have a choice: Head to the left to ChesapeakeExplorationCenter,orhead theright tocontinuealongthe trail.Here, the trailbecomes a series of sidewalks and access points to the waterfront and itsrestaurantsandboatslips.

DIRECTIONSToreachthestartatTerrapinNaturePark,fromAnnapolis,takeUSHwy.

50easttoexit37(thefirstexitaftercrossingtheChesapeakeBayBridge)andturnleftontoMDRoute8.FollowRoute8tothesecondlightandturnleftintoChesapeakeBayBusinessPark.FollowtheroadtotherightaroundthecircleuntilyoucometoTerrapinNaturePark.Thereisampleparkingandportabletoiletsareatthetrailhead.To reach Kent Narrows, take US Hwy. 50 east fromAnnapolis. After

crossingtheBayBridge,travelacrossKentIsland.CrosstheNarrowsonabridgeandturnleftontoMDRoute835(KentNarrowsRoad).Parkingistotheleftunderthebridge.

Contact: QueenAnne’sCountyDepartmentofParksandRecreation19454-HParkRoadCentreville,MD21617(410)758-0835www.qac.org

MARYLANDGoldmineLoopTrail

LocationMontgomeryCountyEndpointsGreatFallsTavernVisitorCenterMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltTucked in the meandering, wooded hills of the sprawling yet understatedmultimillion-dollar estates of Great Falls, just outsideWashington, DC, is theChesapeake&OhioCanalNationalHistoricPark.HometothealreadyfamousC&OCanalTowpath,theGreatFallssectionoftheparkalsohoststhisuniquerailtrailcircuit.Thetrailbeginsatthehillsidejustbeyondthehistoric,early1800s-eraGreat

FallsTavernVisitorCenter.Startatthewell-markedpostandheadupaseriesofstairs that are cut into the hillside and reinforced with logs. This is not yourtraditional railtrail. Only part of it runs on the former railroad corridor, soprepare for somegentleuphill climbs. (The trail isoff-limits tobicycles.)Thetrail,markedbyablueblaze, immediately takesyou into the surroundingairyforest.After less thanamile,youreach thebeginningof theactual loop.Takenote: Detours on yellow-blazed spur trails along the route take you to theMarylandMineruins,wheregoldwasprocessedfrom1867to1939.Uponreachingthestartoftheloop,goeitherleftorright;bothwayswilltake

youbacktothisstartingpoint.Ifyouheadtotheright,youwillfirstcometotheWoodlandTrailSpur(oneofsixtrailspursalongtheloop),whereyou’llcrossatinycreekandthesurfacewillchangefromdirttogravel.Ifyouareonthetrailin the spring, several stands of red budwill be in bloom, providing a vibrantcolor contrasts to the grayish-green of an awakening forest.At certain points,youmay have to scramble over, under, or around impressive, felled trees, buttheyonlyaddtothetrail’swoodlandfeel.

Whenyou’reinthewoodshere,it’shardtoimaginethatthemarblehallsofWashington,DC,areonly20milesaway.

Whenyoureturntothebeginningoftheloop,takethepathbackdowntothevisitorcenterandexploretherestofthepark.Don’tmissthenearbyGreatFallsoverlook,whichprovidesstunningviewsofthewaterfallthatseparatestheupperfromthelowerPotomacRiver.Pickupatrailmapat therangerstationtofinddirectionstotheoverlook.

DIRECTIONS

From the Washington, DC’s beltway–Interstate 495–take exit 41(Carderock/Great Falls) to follow the Clara Barton Parkway. At the stopsignattheendoftheroad,turnleftontoMacarthurBlvd.Go3.5milestothe end of the road at the park. Entry is $5 per car, and there is ampleparking.

Contact: GreatFallsTavernVisitorCenter11710MacArthurBlvd.Potomac,MD20854(301)767-3714www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm

Afelledtreeacrossthepathdoesn’tstopthemoreadventuroustrailusersontheGoldmineLoopTrail.

MARYLANDLowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenwayTrail

LocationCecilandHarfordcountiesEndpointsSusquehannaStateParktoConowingoDamMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceCrushedstoneMaryland’s Susquehanna State Park is recognized for challenging hiking andbiking trails, camping facilities, rock outcroppings, boating, a museum, andrestored historical sites. But none of these outshines the Susquehanna River,whichsweepsmajesticallyby,beckoningfishermenandnaturelovers.Onewaytotakeinthescenicriverisbyventuringoutontherailtrailalongits

westernbank.ThePhiladelphiaElectricCompanybuilt thecorridor in1926totransport materials from Havre d’Grace on the Chesapeake Bay to theconstructionsiteof thenewConowingoDam.Thedamwascompleted in twoyears and the rail line, no longer needed, became a victim of overgrowth anderosion until the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail was created.Eventually,itwillextend50milesalongbothsidesontheriver;presently,only2.5milesareopen.Tostartthetrailfromthesouth,inSusquehannaStatePark,gotonorthsideof

the Deer Creek bridge. Near this end, where the trail travels inland to thesparklingDeerCreek,isthesiteoftheearlyStaffordflintfurnace,withaportionofthefurnacestillstanding.

ViewsoftheSusquehannaRiverprompttrailuserstotakeabreakfromtheirtrip.

Along theway to the impressive 4648-foot-long, 102-foot-high ConowingoDam, you’ll pass wooded wetlands harboring songbirds and abundantwildflowers, especially in the spring. You may also spot old rail tracks andinformationaldisplayswithhistoricalandscientificdetailsaboutthearea.The wide, stone-dust trail is easy to walk or bike, and although there is a

densecanopyoverheadofferingshadeinthesummermonths,theriverviewsarefrequentandbeautiful.Nearthenorthernend,aviewingplatformprovidesriveraccess to anglers, bird-watchers (the dam is a feeding ground for many

varieties),andthecurious.

DIRECTIONSTostart fromthesouth, followMDRoute155north fromInterstate95

andturnrightonLapidumRoad.TakealeftonStaffordRoadandfollowittoSusquehannaStateParkandtheDeerCreekpicnicareaonthenorthend.Toreach thenorthern trailhead, takeInterstate95northfromBaltimore

toexit85.FollowMDRoute22northtoMDRoute136,continuingnorth.UponreachingUSRoute1,gonorth.TurnrightonShuresvilleRoadandthenleftonShuresLandingRoad.FollowthistoConowingoDamandlookforthetrailheadjustsouthofthedamatFisherman’sPark.

Contact: LowerSusquehannaHeritageGreenway,Inc.4948ConowingoRoadConowingo,MD21034(410)457-2482www.hitourtrails.com

MARYLANDMA&PAHeritageTrail

LocationHarfordCountyEndpointsBelAirtoForestHillMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceCrushedstone,dirtIn theearly1900s, theMarylandandPennsylvaniaRailroadscreamed throughtheHarfordCountycountryside,heraldingindustrialprogress.Today,anewkindofprogressisevidentinthesoundoftwitteringbirdsandbabblingbrooksonthelong-deserted rail line. This refreshing natural oasis found on the MA & PAHeritageTrail luresvisitorsandresidentsof theneighborhoods juststeps fromthepath.Thetrailisintwosections,withnearly2milesbetweenthem.Ifyouplanto

travelbothportions,useamaptodeterminethebeston-roadroutebetweenthetwosegments.Bothsegmentshaveampleparkingandareeasytonavigate,withasurfaceofstonedustandsomepavingonslopesinthetownofBelAir.The2-milesouthernsection,inBelAir,weavesthrougholdstandsofnative

trees,risingandfallingwiththedipsofthelandscape.Ittravelspaststreamsandoverbridges, and thoughhomesarevisibleat the far reachesof the trees, thislovelygreenspaceprovidesaprotectednaturalenvironmentandaperfectsettingforastrollorashortjog.

TheMA&PAHeritageTrail,whichcutsawoodedpaththroughthissuburbanarea,takesitsnamesfromtheMaryland(MA)andPennsylvania(PA)Railroad.

InForestHill, the railtrailmeanders for1.5milespast anenchantingmarshteemingwithwildlife,andthroughtidydevelopmentsofsuburbanhomes,alightindustrialarea,andarecreationalfield.Northorsouth,thecommunityparksframingtheendpointsoftheMA&PA

HeritageTrail beckon you to slowdown, enjoy a picnic, orwatch the sun godown.

DIRECTIONSToaccesstheBelAirsegment,followInterstate95toexit77Bandtake

MDRoute24 (VietnamVetsMemorialHwy.)north towardBelAir.TurnleftontoBaltimorePike.TurnrightonNorthTollgateRoadandgo1mile.Thetrailendpointisontheright;parkingisavailablehere,acrosstheroad,andalsoattheWilliamsStreetendpointinBelAir.ToaccesstheForestHillsegment,takeMDRoute24northfromBelAir

toEastWestHwy.(StateRoute23),andturnleft.Driveforabout2miles,andturnrightonRockSpringRoad(StateRoute24).FollowthisforaboutahalfmileandturnleftontoEastJarrettvilleRoad.Inaquartermile,lookforFriendsParkontheleft.Turnleftintotheparkandfollowthedrivepastthepondanduptherisetothetrailhead,ormeetthetrailatMelroseLaneoffBynumRoad.

Contact: HarfordCountyParksandRecreation702N.TollgateRoadBelAir,MD21014(410)638-3572www.mapatrail.org

MARYLANDNorthernCentralRailroadTrail

LocationBaltimoreCountyEndpointsCockeysville,Maryland,toNewFreedom,PennsylvaniaMileage22

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceCrushedstoneTheNorthernCentralRailroadTrail,completedin1984,isoneofthebesthikingandbikingtrailsintheMid-Atlanticregion.Itallowsformorethan20milesofsmooth, flat travel on the crushed stone surface, punctuated by a number ofaccess points and an abundance of trees that provide refreshing shade on hotsummerdays.ThetrailbeginsinCockeysville,Maryland,asuburbofBaltimore,and ends just over the state line in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, where theMason-Dixon Line divides the southern Atlantic states from the Northeasternstates.The history of the railtrail dates back to 1832, when the Northern Central

Railroadcarriedpassengers,peoplevacationingatBentleySprings,andfreightbetweenBaltimoreandYorkorHarrisburg,Pennsylvania.The railroad ran forabout140years,andyoucanstillseepartoftheoldbed,whichwasconvertedtoa rail-tail in the early 1980s. Today, the Northern Central Railroad Trail is

managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as part of theGunpowderFallsStatePark.Amenitiesalongtherouteincludepicnicandparkbenches,drinkingfountains

forhikersandbikersanddogs,too,andportablerestrooms.Justoffthetrail,youcanenjoyasmallartgallery,anantiqueshop,andseveralplacestostopandbuyfoodanddrinks.Hotelsandmotelscanbefoundwithinamileofthetrail,andthere is easy access to a bike shop that rents and repairs bikes. The trail cutsthroughseveralcharmingtowns,includingMonkton(amajorstopforhikersandbikers),Parkton,FallsOverlook,BentleySprings,andNewFreedom.

ArestoredtraindepotinMonktonisnowtheNorthernCentralRailroadTrail’sinformationcenter.

The trail is used by an eclectic mix of horseback riders, joggers, walkers,hikers,bikers,andpeopleofallages.Ontheweekends,thetrailisheavilyusedby local residents and travelers from theBaltimore area, so parkingmaybe achallenge.ForthoseseekinganescapefromtheurbanareasoftheMid-AtlanticandNortheastregion,thistrailisawoodedoasis—anescapefromtheeverydaystressesofnearbycitylife.

DIRECTIONS

ToreachthesouthernendofthetrailfromtheneighborhoodofAshland,followInterstate83northfromBaltimore,andtakeexit20toCockeysville.Turn left onYork Road (MDRoute 45), and then turn right onAshlandRoad,which is aT-intersection.Ashland turns intoPaperMillRoad.Thetrailparkinglotwillbeontheleft.

Contact: GunpowderFallsStateParkPOBox4802813JerusalemRoadKingsville,MD21087(410)592-2897www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/gunpowder.html

MARYLANDNumberNineTrollyLine

LocationBaltimoreCountyEndpointsOellatoCatonsvilleMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltThefirst thingyoumaynoticeaboutNumberNineTrollyLine(alsoknownasTrolly Line #9) is the boardwalk that curves between the canyons ofmassiverock.Thegranitewashand-cutinthe1890swhentheelectricstreetcarrailswerebuilt from Ellicott City to Catonsville, and today, these 100-foot walls are astrikinggatewayto the trail fromhistoricEllicottCity justacross thePatapscoRiverfromOella.The boardwalk quickly gives way to pavement as the trail winds uphill

through thewoods.On your left, a babbling stream feeding into the PatapscoRiverprovidesapeacefulsoundtracktoyourjourney.Tallshadetreeskeepthetrail—and you—cool as you climb through woodlands and occasionally passhomesthatborderthetrail.Nearthe1-milemark,ashortdetouroffthetrailwilltake you to Banneker Historical Park & Museum, which has nature trails,archaeologicalsites,andlivinghistoryareasrecreatingthecolonialfarmandlifeofBenjaminBanneker,anAfrican-Americanastronomerandfarmer.

Nearitsstart,thetrailpassesthroughacutintherockonaboardwalk,beneathanautomobilebridge.

Backonthetrail,therusticscenerygiveswaytoamoresuburbanlandscape.The few road crossings are well-marked and the gradual slope makes for apleasanttripbothup-anddownhill.Whenyoureachtheendofthetrail,simplyturn around and head back downhill to enjoy Ellicott City, including theBaltimore&OhioTrainMuseum,whichhighlights the history of the nation’sfirstrailroad.

DIRECTIONSTo get to Oella from downtown Ellicott City, take MD Route 144

(FrederickRoad)easttothePatapscoRiver,wheretheroadbecomesMainStreet.Crosstheriverandtakeanimmediateleft(north)ontoOellaRoad,whereyouwill find trail parkingonyour right (the river isonyour left).Youmustclimbstairstogettothetrailfromhere.TogettoCatonsvillefromdowntownEllicottCity,followMDRoute144

(Frederick Road) east past the Patapsco River and turn north (left) ontoWestchesterAve.,whereyouwillfindparkingthatisaccessibletodisabledusers.

Contact:MarylandGreenwaysCommission580TaylorAve.,E2Annaplois,MD21401(410)260-8778www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/counties/baltimore.html

MARYLANDPatuxentBranchTrail

LocationHowardCountyEndpointsSavage(SavagePark)toColumbia(LakeElkhorn)Mileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphalt,crushedstone,concreteThePatuxentBranchTrailispartofa20-miletrailsystemoverandaroundtherolling hills of Howard County that follows a former Baltimore and OhioRailroadlinealongthePatuxentRiver.The trail begins in Savage Park. Follow signs along the trail indicating the

directiontoLakeElkhorn.WhenyoureachVollmerHausenRoad,turnleftandstayonthesidewalktofindthe trailwhere itpicksupontheothersideof theroadatthebottomofthisshorthill.Acrosswalkeasesyouacrossthisbusyroad.A littlemore than half of the trail is paved, and the other half has a gravel

surface.Asmallportionofthetrailincludesabridlepath.Tenbridgeshelpkeepyoudry asyou travel through this floodplain.Themost impressive, the1902Guilford Pratt Truss Bridge, is a symbol of Howard County’s two mostimportant industries—the railroad and the granite quarry. Signs along the trailexplainthehistoricalsignificanceofbothindustries,andthetrailwill takeyoustraightthroughthegroundsofaquarrythatoperateduntil1928.

Bridgesalongthetrailmakethegoingeasieronthismixed-surfacetrailinSavagePark.

TherailtrailendsatLakeElkhorn,butpicnicfacilities,aplayground,parking,aboatslip,andawalkingandbikingpatharoundthelakemaykeepyougoing.OryoucanheadbacktotheSavageParkentranceofthePatuxentBranchTrailandpickuptheflatterandshorterSavageMillTrailthatbeginsjustafewblocksaway.

DIRECTIONS

ToaccesstheSavageParkentrancefromInterstate95,takeMDRoute32(Patuxent Parkway) east, and then turn right on US Route 1 (BaltimoreWashington Blvd.), heading south toward Laurel. Turn right on GormanRoad, and then turn right on Foundry Street. Turn left ontoWashingtonStreet and follow it to the end, where you take a right onto Fair Street,whichendsatthepark.Taketheroadintheparkinglottotherightuntilitendsatasmallerparkinglotatthetrailhead.ToaccesstheLakeElkhornentrancefromInterstate95,takeMDRoute

32(PatuxentParkway)westandthentaketheBrokenLandParkwaynorthtowardOwenBrown.The lake (and a parking lot next to theplaygroundandboatslip)willbeonyourright.

Contact: HowardCountyRecreationandParksDepartment7120OaklandMillsRoadColumbia,MD21046(410)313-4687www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_HomePage.htm

MARYLANDPointLookoutRailroadTrail

LocationSt.Mary’sCountyEndpointsPointLookoutStateParkMileage1

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirt,grassThe Point Lookout Railroad Trail (also called Periwinkle Point Nature Trail)followsacorridorthatwasclearedintheearly1800sforaplannedrailroadlineconnecting Point Lookout, Maryland, toWashington, DC. Active rail servicecametosomeportionsofthecorridorovertheyears,butthis1-milesectionwasnevercompleted.Todayit isstillquiet,asapeacefuldirtpathrunningthroughhistoricPointLookoutStatePark.Thetrailentranceislocatednearthesouthernendofthetrail.Hereyouwill

find the CivilWarMuseum/Marshland Nature Center, where you can stop infromMay toSeptember to learnmore about thepark’s history as aCivilWarprisoncamp.From the start, bear right for a leisurely walk on the trail’s northern—and

longer—section. The trail is bordered by 6-foot-high reeds and pine trees andprovides an occasional glimpse of thePointLookoutCreek.Marshy areas arefound immediately adjacent to the trail and occasionally the trail itself iswaterlogged,requiringslightoff-trailnavigation.Thissectionofthetrailendsinanopen,privatelyownedfield.

ThePointLookoutRailroadTrail,flankedbythePotomacRiverandtheChesapeakeBay,isanexcellentplacetospotwaterfowl.

Turningleftatthenaturecenterwilltakeyoualongashort(lessthanaquartermile) stretch of trailwherewaterfowl and otherwildlife viewing is abundant.Thetrail’sendisarewardingone,withbeautifulviewsofLakeConoyandthePointLookoutCreek.Late-summervisitorsmaybetreatedtomigratingmonarchbutterflies,andifyouareonthetrailduringthespringorfall,besuretowatchformigratorybirds.

DIRECTIONSFrom Interstate 495, take MD Route 4 south until you cross the

SolomonsIslandBridge.After thebridge, turn leftat the first traffic lightontoMDRoute 235, heading south. Follow this into a small town calledRidge and turn left at the blinking red light onto MD Route 5, headingsouth.FollowRoute5asfarasitwillgo(ittakesasharprightturnasyouapproachthe5-milemark)allthewaytoPointLookoutStatePark.Intheoff-season,stopat theparkheadquarters togetacode toopen thegate tothe camping area. After you pass the headquarters office, take your firstrightintothecampingarea.Afterpassingthegate,takeyourfirstrightandthenbearlefttocampsites26-20,whereyouwillaccessaparkinglotthatisadjacenttothetrailentrance.

Contact: PointLookoutStatePark11175PointLookoutRoadScotland,MD20687(301)872-5688www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/pointlookout.asp

MARYLANDSavageMillTrail

LocationHowardCountyEndpointsFoundryStreettoSavageParkMileage1

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceGravel,asphalt,dirtTheSavageMillTrail inSavagePark travels along the rollingPatuxentRiverthrough the grounds of an old cotton mill. In the early 1800s, Savage was amajormanufacturingcenter,harnessingpowerproducedbythefallsontheLittleandMiddlePatuxentrivers.Nearthetrailheadstandsan1822textilemill,todayrenovated as a shopping center where you can buy antiques or grab a picniclunchtoenjoyonthepleasant1-miletrail.The trail begins at an old Bollman truss bridge, an iron structure used

exclusivelyby theBaltimoreandOhioRailroad.Built in1869, thebridgewasmovedtoSavagein1887.Thoughthecompanybuiltabout100ofthesebridgesbefore1873,thisisthecountry’sonlyremainingBollmanbridgeofthisdesign.The trail’sdesigners left the train tracks inplaceononesideof thebridge, soyoucanimaginethetrainpassingbesideyouasyourideorwalkoverthispieceofhistory.

AbicyclistcrossesaBollmantrussbridge–astyledevelopedspecificallyforuseontheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad.

Mostofthetrailispavedandflat,butthesurfacechangestogravelandthendirtbefore itendsabruptly in themiddleof thewoods.Althoughyouareverynear amajor highway and the bustle of the shopping center, themusic of theriverrollingoverlargebouldersandthewhiteoakssurroundingthetrailcreatethe impression that you’re in the wilderness. It’s easy to stop and savor thenaturaloasisatoneofthetrail’smanypicnictables.

TheSavageMillTrailispartofalarger,20-milesystemofpathwaysthroughHoward County. For a more challenging trip, hit the Patuxent Branch Trail,whichbeginsafewblocksaway.

DIRECTIONSFromInterstate95,takeMDRoute32(PatuxentParkway)easttomerge

ontoUSRoute1(BaltimoreWashingtonBlvd.),headingsouth.TurnrightonGormanRoad, and then turn left onFoundryStreet.TheSavageMillparkinglotisonyourleft.

Contact: HowardCountyRecreationandParksDepartment7120OaklandMillsRoadColumbia,MD21046(410)313-4687www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_HomePage.htm

MARYLANDWesternMarylandRailTrail

LocationWashingtonCountyEndpointsBigPool(FortFrederickStatePark)toPearre(OldPearreRailStation)Mileage22

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceAsphaltPlanafullday(ortwo)foryourvisittotheWesternMarylandRailTrail,a22-milepavedroutethatwilltakeyouthroughseveralerasofAmericanhistory.You can access this trail frommany points, but themain trailhead is in the

quaint townofHancock(population1750).Stophere for food,drinks,antiqueshopping, to stay thenight, or just towander around thehistorical downtown,which once served as the frontier ofMaryland and frequently was visited byGeorgeWashington,amongothernotables.FromthetrailheadinHancock,youcanheadeastorwestalongthetrail,about

10 miles in either direction. Whichever direction you choose, expect to passfieldsandwoodedgroves.YouwillalsoparalleltheChesapeakeandOhioCanaland its 185-mile unpaved towpath, which was used to transport coal fromCumberland, Maryland, to the port of Georgetown inWashington, DC, from1828until 1924.The route’shistorical sites include thecanal’s locksand lockhouses.Theeasternportionisblessedwithmagnificentviewsof thePotomacRiver.

Largerockoutcroppingswillcatchyourattention,aswilltheruinsoftheRound

Top Cement Mill, which was built in the 1830s and was Hancock’s largestemployerduring theCivilWar.To thewest and justpastdowntownHancock,you can buy trailside snacks from the family-owned Hepburn Orchards FruitMarket where, in the 1920s, more than 5000 surrounding acres were plantedwith fruit trees. Traveling a little farther, you will find historical markers forLittlePoolandParkHeadcemeteries.Beonthelookoutfordeerandwildturkeythatarenotphasedbytheloudtrafficnearby.

TheWesternMarylandRailTrailrunsadjacenttotheChesapeakeandOhioCanalformuchofitsjourney,andsharesthesamehistoricalhighlightsalongtheway.

Tovaryyour route, andmaximizeyour scenery, take theWesternMarylandRail Trail in one direction and loop back on the Chesapeake & Ohio CanalNationalHistoricalParktowpath.

DIRECTIONSTo reach the eastern endof the trail inFortFrederickStatePark, from

Interstate70,takeexit12toMDRoute56andheadeasttowardBigPool.Thetrailparkinglotisacrossthestreetfromthepostoffice.ToreachHancockfromInterstate70,takeexit3andtravelwestonMD

Route144for1.4miles.ThereisparkingatHancockStation,justoffMainStreet.TobeginatthewesternendofthetrailinPearre,fromInterstate68,take

exit77andheadsouthonWoodmontRoad,whichwill intersectwith thetrailatPearreRoad.Parkingisavailable.

Contact:WesternMarylandRailTrailC/OFortFrederickStatePark11100FortFrederickRoadBigPool,MD21711(301)842-2155www.westernmarylandrailtrail.org/WMRT

Virginia

18ChessieNatureTrail19DevilsForkLoopTrail20GuestRiverGorgeTrail21HangingRockBattlefieldTrail22HuckleberryTrail23JamesRiverHeritageTrail24LakeAccotinkTrail25LittleStonyNationalRecreationTrail26NewRiverTrailStatePark27PhillipsCreekLoopTrail28RailroadFordTrail29RichmondandDanvilleRailTrail30RiverwalkTrail31StauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail32VirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrail33WashingtonandOldDominionRailroadRegionalPark34WildernessRoadTrail

VIRGINIAChessieNatureTrail

LocationRockbridgeCountyEndpointsLexingtontoBuenaVistaMileage7

RoughnessIndex

Surface

BallastThe pedestrian-only Chessie Nature Trail travels through breathtaking ruralVirginiacountryside, followingmilemarkers leftbehindby theChesapeake&OhioRailroadthatranthisroute.Don’tbesurprisedifyoufindyourselfsharingthe trailwith awide arrayofbirds and smallmammals.There are some largemammals,too.Expecttoseeafewcattlegrazinginthemeadowsthatborderthetrail. (You may also pass cattle gates, which can be tricky to get aroundsometimes, but they do not indicate that the trail is closed.) The trail beginsalongVARoute631inLexingtonandfollowsthenorthernbankof theMauryRiver for the first3.7miles,while alternatingbetween lush forestedareas andfarmland. There is a break in the trail at the river, where the former railroadbridge has been removed. To navigate around this, follow Stuartsburg Road(located rightnext to the trail) south forahalfmilebefore takinga rightontoOldShepardRoadandreconnectingtothetrail.Thefinal2.5milesmeetbackupwiththeriverfortheremainderofthetrail.

Whilethetrailpassessomefarmland,thefinalmilehugsasteepcliffalongtheside of the river on your right. It is quite an impressive finale to this verypleasantwalkingtrail.

TheChessieNatureTrailrunsontheformerpathoftheRichmond&AlleghenyRailroad,whichlaterbecamepartofthemammothChesapeake&Ohioline.

DIRECTIONS

Toaccess theLexingtontrailheadfromtheintersectionofUSRoute11andInterstate64inLexington,takeUS11southandmakealeftontoVARoute631.Thetrailheadisapproximately1mileaheadontheright.ToaccesstheBuenaVistatrailheadfromUSRoute60andInterstate81

inLexington,takeRoute60eastandmakealeftonVARoute608beforeBuenaVista.FollowRoute608 for approximately0.75mile and look forthetrailheadontheleft.

Contact: VMIFoundationPOBox932Lexington,VA24450(540)464-7221www.lexingtonvirginia.com/hiking.htm

TheChessieNatureTrailcutsthroughfarmland,runningadjacenttograzingfieldsforcowsaccustomedtosharingtheirfieldswithtrailusers.

VIRGINIADevilsForkLoopTrail

LocationScottCountyEndpointsGeorgeWashingtonNationalForestMileage7

RoughnessIndex3SurfaceDirtWarningTheDevilsForkLoopTrailisextremelychallenging,withasmanyas18streamcrossings (at theheightof thewinter thaw),a1200-footelevationchange,andmany opportunities to lose the trail. Be sure to bring enough water for thisarduoushike;therearenofacilitiesonornearthetrail.TheDevilsForkLoopTrailprovidesan impressivelybeautiful—andstrenuous—hikethroughanold-growthhemlockandrhododendronforest.Amazingrockformations,waterfalls,swimmingholes,andmountainviewsgiveyouplentytoseeanddo,butkeeponeeyeonthetrail,asthegoingcanberough.Althoughthetrailfollowsyellowblazesforitsentire7miles,poormaintenancemeansitis often difficult to find the blazes—and the path, which, in several places,scramblesoverlargerocksorupverysteepclifffaces.ThewesternlegoftheloopfollowstheDevilsFork,andyourfirstcrossingis

aboutonequarterof amile from theparking lot.Beprepared togetyour feetwet.This, likemanyof the trail’swatercrossings,hasveryslippery rocksandseasonally changingwater levels.After this, the trail breaks in twodirections.The less strenuous route is to the left, following the loopclockwise.This alsoletsyouhitthehighlightsofthetrailmuchearlier.

ThisisoneofseveralstreamcrossingsthatmaketheDevilsForkLoopTrailachallengingbutthrillingrailtrail.

TheonlyhintthatyouareonarailtrailistheabandonedcoalcarthatsitsonthetrailabouthalfwayupLittleMountain.Infact,thewesternsideoftheloopistheonlyportiononanoldrailbed.Thisrailroadwasusedtotransportlogsandcoal, and thus thecorridor isnotaswideasa standard-gauge railway,and thegrade is much steeper, which provided the trains with better access to theseresources.The trail’smainattraction isDevilsBathtub, located just1.5miles from the

start. The rushing water of Devils Fork shoots out of the soft sandstone andswirlsquicklythroughthisstoneluge,plummetingintoabeautifulpoolofblue-greenwater.Anothertrailhighlight,shortlyafterDevilsBathtub,isthe50-footwaterfallatthemouthofCorderHollow.The trail enters averydifferent landscapeasyou leave theDevilsForkand

begin hiking along the ridges of several mountains. The forest has littleunderbrushandthepathcanbeeasilylost.Youradventureconcludesonanoldloggingroadwithaboutamileofsteep

switchbacks to the loop’s end,where you crossDevils Fork for the last time.There are primitive camping facilities near the parking lot. You can continuehiking by taking theStraight ForkRidgeTrail (1.8miles) via the parking lot.ThesceneryonStraightForkRidgeissimilartotheDevilsForkLoopTrail,butthelatterisconsideredthemoreinterestinghikeofthetwotrails.

Treesthatfallacrossthistrailaregenerallyclearedfromthepath.

DIRECTIONS

From US Alternate Hwy. 58, take VA Route 72 south toward FortBlackmore.InDungannon,Route72mergeswithVARoute65.JustbeforetheyseparateinFortBlackmore,takeVARoute619totheright.Alternatively, you can take US Hwy. 23/US Hwy. 58/US Hwy. 421

(Daniel Boone Heritage Hwy.) toward Gate City. In Gate City, continuegoingstraightastheroadbecomesEastJacksonStreetand,ultimately,VARoute71.HeadeastonRoute71foralittleoveramile.Fromhere,takeVARoute72tothelefttowardFortBlackmore.ShortlyafterVARoute65andVARoute72merge,turnleftontoVARoute619.OnceonRoute619,followVARoute653forashortsegment,andwhen

theybreak,lookfortheDEVILSFORKsignwhereRoute619takesasharpleftandbecomesForestRoad619(thereisnostreetsign).Travelovertheone-lanebridgeandturnleftjustbeforetheabandonedwhitehouse.Followthisunmarkeddirtroadtotheend,whereyouwillfindparkingforthetrail.Theroad to the parking lot is very rutted and may not be accessible by allvehicles.Youwillpassthetrailheadonyourrightjustbeforeyoureachtheparkinglot;therearealsostairsuptothetrailfromtheparkinglot.

Contact: ClinchRangerDistrict9416DardenDriveWise,VA24293(276)328-2931www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/clinch

VIRGINIAGuestRiverGorgeTrail

LocationScottandWisecountiesEndpointsForestRoad2477intheJeffersonNationalForestMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstoneTheGuestRiverGorgeTrailmeandersalongancientsandstonecliffsthatplunge400feettothepristinewatersbelow.ThedeepgorgewascreatedastheGuestRiver,nowdesignatedasastatescenicriver,tunneledthroughStoneMountainonitswaytowardtheClinchRiver.Thegentlegradeofthistrailanditsgravelsurfacemake it ideal for a comfortable walk or bike ride. Benches along therouteoffermorethanaplacetorest:Theyyieldstunningviewsofcrystal-clearcurrents that, when interrupted sporadically by boulders, turn into impressiverapids.InadditiontospectacularGuestRiverviewstothesouth,thetrailoffersatrip

throughtheSwedeTunnel,builtin1922.Italsocrossesthreebridgesthatwerebuiltoversmallcreekstoreplacethetrestlesoncetraveledbyrailcarshaulingcoalminednearby.BesuretolookforDevil’swalkingstick,aplantnativetothesoutheast and a member of the ginseng family. This tall and spindly plantproduceswhitebloomsduringJulyandAugust.

TheGuestRiverGorgeTrailskirtstheedgeofthevastJeffersonNationalForest.

Near theend, the trail slopesdownhill towardaworking rail lineacross theGuest River. Just before this point, youwill see a connection to theHeart ofAppalachiaBikeRoute,whichstretchesanother125milestoBurke’sGardeninTazewellCounty,Virginia.Legendhas it thatBurke’sGardenissobeautiful itwasoriginally soughtafteras the location forGeorgeWashingtonVanderbilt’sBiltmoreEstate,butthepeopleofBurke’sGardenrefusedtosellhimanylandandthushebuilthisestateinAshville,NorthCarolina,instead.

DIRECTIONSTheGuestRiverGorgeTrailisanout-and-backtrail,sothereisonlyone

endpoint.FromUSAlternativeHwy.58,headsouthonVARoute72nearCoeburn.Travel for2.3mileson thiscurvy, two-lane road.YouwillpasstheFlatwoodsPicnicAreaonyourright,andverysoonafterward,youwillreach a sign for the Guest River Gorge on your left. Turn left onto thispaved road,which isForestRoad2477,anddrive for1.4milesuntilyoureachtheparkinglot.Thetrailheadismarkedwithakioskattheedgeoftheparkingarea.

Contact: ClinchRangerDistrict9416DardenDriveWise,VA24293(276)328-2931www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/clinch/

VIRGINIAHangingRockBattlefieldTrail

LocationRoanokeCountyEndpointsVARoute311toKesslerMillRoadMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstoneOpened in 1999, theHangingRockBattlefieldTrail in Salem (just outside ofRoanoke) is associatedwith SouthernVirginia’s impressiveCivilWar history.ThenortherntrailheadatHangingRockwasthesiteofthe1864“Hunter’sRaid”battleinwhichGeneralJohnMcCausland’sConfederateforceswonasubstantialvictoryagainsttheretreatingUnionarmyunderthecommandofGeneralDavidHunter.ThesiteismarkedbyamonumentalongVARoute311.The Hanging Rock trailhead is a good place to start your trip. Parking is

plentiful, and you can hit the convenience store and gas station next door tostock up on provisions. On the trail, you can absorb the Roanoke Valley’sbeautifulwoodedscenery,asthecorridorwindsalongMasonCreekandKesslerMillRoad.AfterpassingunderInterstate81,youwillsoonenterthetownshipofSalem.

Thetrailscurvesthrougharesidentialarea,andhousesflankthetrailuntilyoureachthesoutherntrailheadatTimberviewRoad.Iftimepermitsonyourreturnto the northern trailhead, take a quick jaunt on the short hiking trail at theHangingRock trailhead. ItmeandersalongPeter’sCreek rightup to Interstate81.

WhilemanyrailtrailshaveaCivilWarconnection,theHangingRockBattlefieldTrailisontheactualsiteofabattle,“Hunter’sRaid.”

DIRECTIONS

ToreachtheHangingRocktrailheadfromInterstate81,takeexit141toSalem. Turn left onto VA Route 311. The parking area for the HangingRock Battlefield Trail is on the left, adjacent to the parking area for theconveniencestoreoracrossRoute311atthemonument.To reach the southern terminus from VA Route 419, go west on East

MainStreet inSalem.At thefirst light, turnrightontoKesslerMillRoad

anddriveahalfmiletotheparkinglotontheleft.

Contact: RoanokeValleyGreenwaysPOBox29800Roanoke,VA24018(540)387-6060www.greenways.org

VIRGINIAHuckleberryTrail

LocationMontgomeryCountyEndpointsBlacksburgtoChristiansburgMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltIn the early 1900s, a train line nicknamed “the Huckleberry” was built totransport coal andprovidemail andpassenger service toBlacksburg.The linewas also used by the Corps cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (morecommonly known as Virginia Tech), who unofficially renamed Blacksburg“HuckleberryJunction”due to theabundanceofhuckleberries thatgrewalongthe train line. The huckleberries grew after trees were cleared for railroadconstruction, and thereafter, the region became famous for delicious pies andjams.Althoughmanyofthehuckleberriesalongthetrailtodayhavediminisheddue to increased shade, trail users can findhuckleberrybushesplanted aroundtrailinformationkiosks.The northern trailhead for the Huckleberry Trail is nestled in a residential

neighborhood at the Montgomery/Floyd Regional Library in downtownBlacksburg, across from theVirginiaTech campus.Youmay hear amarchingbandinthedistanceornoticeagameatthenearbyWorshamFieldoncampus.

NearthestartoftheHuckleberryTrail,floweringtreesformacanopyfortrailusers.

Asyoucontinuealongthismeanderingtrail,youleavethecityandenterintoruralfarmland,passingbehindquiethomesandthroughopenfieldsandpocketsof forests. The Coal Miner’s Heritage Park at mile 4 displays old miningequipment, justbeforeyoureacha railroadbridgeover thestill-activeNorfolkSouthern rail line.Unlikemost railtrails, this trail hasmanygentle curves andslopes—providingdiversityinyourtrailexperience.Infact,itisonthesesteeper

sectionsthattheoldtrainsweresaidtohavesloweddownenoughforthecadetsto hop from the cars and gather huckleberries before the train gatheredmorespeed.ContinueinasoutherndirectiononthetrailtoreachthetrailheadatNewRiverValleyMallinChristiansburg.

DIRECTIONSTo reach the northern trailhead, takeUSHwy. 460 toward Blacksburg

andturnontoMainStreet(taketheUSHwy.460Businessroute),headingnorth.TurnleftonMillerStreet,headingsouthwest,anddrivethreeblockstoHarrellStreet,wherestreetparkingisavailable.Thetrailheadislocatedin the library parking lot onMiller Street.However, avoid using this lot;towingmaybeenforcedfortrailusersparkedhere.To reach the southern trailhead, take US Hwy. 460 toward

Christiansburg,andturnrightonVARoute144(PeppersFerryRoad).TheNewRiverValleyMall is on the right onNewRiverRoad. FollowNewRiverRoad,whichloopsaroundthemall;trailheadparkingisatthebackofthemall.

Contact:MontgomeryCountyGovernmentCenter755RoanokeStreet,Suite2AChristiansburg,VA24073(540)394-2148www.montva.com

VIRGINIAJamesRiverHeritageTrail

LocationLynchburgCityandAmherstCountyEndpointsOldLangthorneRoadtoFertilizerRoadMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltThe JamesRiverHeritageTrail is one of the premier urban trails in the state,passing through lush forestland as well as the heart of historic, industrialdowntown Lynchburg. It also offers multiple easy connections to other trailsalongtheway,anditiswell-markedwithtrailandmileagesigns.The trail begins at the impressivelymaintained Blackwater Creek Bikeway

trailhead,whichhasapleasantgardenandimmaculatefacilities.Fromhere,thetrail followsanoldrailroadgrade through theBlackwaterCreekNaturalArea;thefirst3-milesectionofthetrailiscalledBlackwaterCreekBikeway.As you descend into the forested canyon that has been carved out by the

creek,youwillreachatrailjunctionforthe1.3-mileKemperStreetStationTrailto the south and the 1.7-milePoint ofHonorTrail to the north.Both of thesepavedtrailsareconsideredpartoftheJamesRiverHeritageTrailsystemandaregreatsidetripsoffthemaintrack.For the next mile, the trail swings toward downtown and becomes the

LynchburgRiverwalkbefore crossinga spectacular refurbished railroadbridgeontoPercival’sIsland.Thetrailtraversesthemile-longislandbeforecrossingasecondformerrailbridgetotheeasternshoreoftheJamesRiver.Itcontinuesforanother2milesalongtheriver’sedgeuntilitsendlessthanamilepastthelasttrail accesspoint locatedoffofFertilizerRoad.Whenyou reach theendpoint,the railroad corridor clearly continues, and there are plans to extend thiswonderfultrail.

TheJamesRiverHeritageTrailispartofagreatertrailnetworkrunningmorethan12milesandspanningtwocounties.

DIRECTIONS

To reach theBlackwater CreekBikeway trailhead from the LynchburgExpressway,gonorthonUSHwy.501,whichbecomesLangthorneRoad.Be on the lookout for a quick right turn ontoOld Langthorne Road; thetrailheadisontheleft.To reach theFertilizerRoad trailhead from theLynchburgExpressway,

takeVARoute210easttoFertilizerRoadandturnrighttofollowitallthewaythetrailheadforparking.

Contact: LynchburgCityParks301GroveStreetLynchburg,VA24501(434)455-5858www.lynchburgva.gov/Index.aspx?page=546

VIRGINIALakeAccotinkTrail

LocationFairfaxCountyEndpointsMarinaatLakeAccotinkParkMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstone,gravel,asphaltInthesuburbancommunityofSpringfieldinNorthernVirginia,LakeAccotinkParkprovidesawildernessescapeamidthecitysurroundings.Thenearly500-acre park features picnic areas, miniature golf, an antique carousel, a 55-acrelakewithcanoeandkayakrentals,andofcourse,trails.TheLakeAccotinkTrailfollowspartoftheformerrailbedoftheOrangeand

AlexandriaRailroad,alongwhichsoldiersandmaterialsweretransportedduringtheCivilWar.Historicalmarkersoutlinetherailroad’shistoryandhelpmarktheentry to the park.At the trail’s start, it’s impossible tomiss the still-operatingtrestlebridgerunninghighaboveAccotinkCreek.Thecreek’sdam,constructedmorethen50yearsago,createdapopularfishinghole.Asyouleavethepicnicand boat-rental area behind, the trail shoots up a short, steep hill toward thewoodssurroundingthelake.

LakeAccotinkTrailisapopulardestinationforNorthernVirginiansseekingalittlewoodlandrespite.

Thefirsthalfofthisroutehugsthelake’scurvesasittravelsdeeperintothesmallwoodlandspreservethatprovidesshadeandwonderfulviewsofmarshlandandthelake.Whenyoureachtheforkintheroadatthetrail’smidpoint,eithercontinue straight to get another 0.75-mile jaunt on the railtrail before it dead-endsatRollingRoad,or follow the trailmarker indicatinga right turn to loopbacktoyourstartingpoint.This4.5-mileoptiontakesyoudownashorthilland

ontoneighborhoodsidewalksforthreeorfourblocksasyoupassanelementaryschoolbeforeyoureturntothepark.On themain route, several stairs lead downhill to a bridge and back to the

LakeAccotinkTrail,whichcirclesaroundtheothersideofthelake,tothecreekandsurroundingmarshland.Yourroundtripwillendwithawonderfulviewoftheantiquecarouselandgeeseswimmingintheshallowlakewaters.

DIRECTIONSFrom Washington, DC, take Interstate 395 south. This turns into

Interstate95southatSpringfield.TaketheOldKeeneMillRoadexit(VARoute644)westtowardSpringfield.TurnslightlyrightontoBacklickRoadand then turn leftontoHighlandStreet.FollowHighlandStreet throughaneighborhoodandthenturnslightlyrightontoAccotinkParkRoad.Followthisroadthroughtheparkandpastthetrestlebridgetoarriveattheparkinglot.

Contact: FairfaxCountyParkAuthority7500AccotinkParkRoadSpringfield,VA22150(703)569-3464www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink

VIRGINIALittleStonyNationalRecreationTrail

LocationScottCountyEndpointsHangingRockPicnicAreatoLittleStonyFallsintheJeffersonNationalForestMileage

RoughnessIndex

3SurfaceDirtIfyou’re lookingforaneasytrip, theLittleStonyNationalRecreationTrail inJefferson National Forest is the perfect alternative to the nearby Devils ForkLoop.DevilsForkLoop isgorgeous,but it includesastrenuousandoftenwetclimb.LittleStony,ontheotherhand,offerssimilarlybeautifulviewswithinamere2.8miles,anditsfootbridgessaveyoufromcold,slipperywatercrossings.Youcanalsotakebreaksfromthetrail’s600-footascentbyrestingatthebridgeshighabovetherushingcurrentsandbelowthehemlockcanopy.StartingatHangingRockPicnicArea,followtheyellowblazesmarkingthe

trail,whichsnakesalongLittleStonyCreek.Thetrail israthernarrowinareaswhereitclimbsinelevationandtravelsoverboulders,andtheslopeissteepforarailtrail,buttheexhilaratingviewsarewortheverystep.Withinahalf-mileofthe northern trailhead, you will find a sanctuary-like viewing platform acrossfrom a 40-foot waterfall. Thick, waxy leaves of rhododendron and mountainlaurelframethewhiteveilofwater,andifyouvisitinMayorJune,you’lllikelycatchthespectacularbloomsoftheseplants.

TuckedintheJeffersonNationalForest,thistrailcrisscrossestheLittleStonyCreekandpassesa40-footwaterfall.

Continueuphilltofindtwomoreimpressivewaterfalls.Severalhundredfeetbeyondthese,youwillarriveattheLittleStonyFallsparkingarea,wherethe16-mileChiefBengeScoutTrailpicksupfromForestRoad701.

DIRECTIONSToaccesstheHangingRockPicnicAreafromUSAlternativeRoute58,

headsouthonVARoute72nearCoeburn.Travelforapproximately7miles

totheHangingRockPicnicArea.Asignmarksthetrailhead.Theuppertrailhead,northofHangingRock,isabitmorecomplicatedto

find.Fortunately, theforest roads thatyouneed to takearepepperedwithsignstoLittleStonyFalls.FromthejunctionofVARoute72southandUSAlternativeRoute58,travelsouthonVA72totheminorVARoute664.GowestonVA664 forabout1mile toForestRoad700.From there, followsignstoLittleStonyFalls.

VIRGINIANewRiverTrailStatePark

LocationPulaski,Carroll,Grayson,andWythecountiesEndpointsGalaxtoPulaskiMileage57

RoughnessIndex

Surface

CrushedstoneSouthernVirginia’sNewRiverTrail isoneofAmerica’spremier railtrails andhas been designated as an official National Recreation Trail by the USDepartmentoftheInterior.Itisalsoastatepark.Thehighlightandnamesakeofthismagnificent trail is the 36-mile section running throughGrayson,Carroll,Wythe,andPulaskicountiesalongtheNewRiver,theoldestriverintheUS.In1986, the Norfolk and Southern Railroad donated this old railroad corridor,which originally served to supply the once expanding iron industry to theCommonwealthofVirginia.The best place to start a trip along this trail is at its southern terminus in

Galax.Notethatfromthisdirection,themileagemarkerscountdownbeginningatthe57-milemarker.AlargepartofthetrailisuphillifyoustartatthenorthernterminusatDoraJunctionalongInterstate81.TheGalaxtrailhead,whichfeaturesanoldredcaboose,hasplentyofparking.

Fromhere,youfollowChestnutCreekalongthe12-mileGalaxtoFriesJunctionsection.Atmilemarker38,you’llencounterthebeautifulFriesJunctiontrestlebridge crossing theNewRiver. Just across the bridge, you have the option oftaking a pleasant excursion to Fries, a 12-mile round trip. This 6-mile spur isincludedinthetrail’s57-miletotallength.

RiderspeerdownovertheNewRiver,anironicnameforawaterwaythatisconsideredtobetheoldestriverintheUS.

The remaining 39 miles proceeds north along the peacefully flowing NewRiverasitrunsthroughCrippleCreekJunction,FosterFalls,andAllisonia.Thetrailisisolatedformuchofthisjourney,soifyouareonthisstretch,besuretocarryallnecessarysuppliesincaseofanemergencyorquickbikerepair.Alongthe way, you’ll see many railroading highlights, including cavernous tunnels,steep dams, and trestle bridges—including the impressive 950-footHiawassee

trestlearoundmilemarker8.ThetrailfinallyconcludesatDoraJunction,nearthetownofPulaski,whereyouwillbeabletofindallyourpost-trailamenities.

DIRECTIONSTotheGalaxtrailhead, takeInterstate77to theUSHwy.221/USHwy.

58 exit (exit 14) toward Hillsville/Galax. The trailhead is located on theright,whereRoute58crossesChestnutCreek.Toreach theDoraJunction trailhead inPulaski fromInterstate81, take

VARoute99westfor2milestowardXaloy.TurnrightonXaloyWayandlookforthetrailheadontheright.YoucanalsoaccessthetrailinFries:TakeInterstate77totheUSHwy.

221/US Hwy. 58 exit (exit 14) toward Hillsville/Galax. Turn right atCliffview Road/VA Route 721 to Fries. Route 721 becomes Fries RoadbeforecrossingtheNewRiver.Asyoucomeintotown,turnleftonDaltonRoad.Thetrailheadisatthebottomofthehill;thetrailsignsareimpossibletomiss.ParkingisavailablenearthetownparkonRiverviewAve.

Contact: NewRiverTrailStatePark176OrphanageDriveFosterFalls,VA24360(276)699-6778www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/newriver.htm

VIRGINIAPhillipsCreekLoopTrail

LocationWiseCountyEndpointsPhillipsCreekRecreationAreaMileage1

RoughnessIndex3SurfaceDirtTheshort,relativelyeasyPhillipsCreekLoop(alsoknownasthePineMountainTrail)beginsinapleasantrecreationareathatisopenMay15toSeptember15andprovidespaidparking,swimming,restrooms,andsecludedpicnicareas.Thetrailisopenforhikingallyear,butsincetheareaisgated(andtherestroomsareclosed) in theoff-season,youmustparkyourcarat thegateandwalkaboutahalfmiletothetrailhead.From the information kiosk, follow a footbridge into a forest that includes

thicketsofrhododendronandastandofwhitepines.Onthefirsthalfoftheloop,youwillwalkalongsidePhillipsCreek.Keepyoureyesopenforanoldhuntingcampused byNativeAmericans, aswell as the site of an oldmoonshine stilllocated across the creek. These sites are not well-marked. Since they are notobvious,considercallingtheClinchRangerDistrict(276-328-2931)toorderaninformationalbrochureexplainingthevariouspointsofinterestalongthetrail.

Inwinter,thePhillipsCreekLoopTrailisawonderlandinaforestofrhododendrons.

Atthefarendoftheloopisascenicwaterfallalongasandstonecliff.Thetrekback to theparking lot travelsonanold railroadbed thatwasused in the late1800sandearly1900stohaullogs.

DIRECTIONSToaccess this trail, takeUSHwy.23northnearNorton towardPound.

AsyouapproachPound,stayonHwy.23(donot turnontoBusiness23).

Turn west onto VA Route 671 and follow it for about 5.5 miles to themarkedPhillipsCreekRecreationArea.Thetrailheadislocatedallthewaydownthegravelroad,pasttheswimmingareaandallthepicnicareas.Itismarked by a footbridge and information kiosk that reads PINEMOUNTAINTRAIL.

VIRGINIARailroadFordTrail

LocationSpotsylvaniaCountyEndpointsLakeAnnaStateParkVisitorCenterMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceDirtThe Railroad Ford Trail is located in beautiful Lake Anna State Park inSpotsylvania County betweenWashington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. Thepark boasts 2463 acres with 11 trails, swimming, boating, fishing, horsebackriding,andcamping.Theparkisopendailyfrom8AMtodusk.This loop trail (which is roughbutwheelchair-accessible) isasectionof the

original17.5-mile railcorridor thatwasestablished in1917 tosupport thewareffortinEurope.TherailroadwasusedtotransportorefromHolladayMine,5milesnorth,toAllahCooperMine,7milesdownthetrack.Leadandzincwereextractedfromtheoreandtransported10milestoMineral,Virginia,wheretheywere then shipped on theC&ORailroad to northern factories tomake bulletsandshellcartridges.Today, visitors will find a beautiful walking trail, sun-dappled by a tree

canopy. To find the trailhead, follow the sidewalk past the visitor center andboat-rentalarea.The trailbeginsat themarkerwhere thesidewalkends.Fromthe trailmarker,bear right tobeginyourwalkalong this loop.The0.75milestakesyoualongapackeddirtpaththatrunsparalleltothelake.

LookingoutoverLakeAnna’sswimmingandboatingareaontheRailroadFordTrail

Take in the rich lake views and try out the many short paths to reach thewater’sedge,whereyoucanaccessoneofthemanybenchesalongthisstretch.Whenthetrailbears leftafter less thanamile, itbecomeswider,elevated,andflat. It’s easy to imagine the route of the original railroad corridor here, and,indeed, a historical railroad sign is also posted along this section. As youconcludeyourwalk,thetrailintersectswiththeGlenoraTrail,awideequestriantrail.Turnleftatthisintersectionforashortstretchthatcompletestheloop.

DIRECTIONSFromWashington,DC,orRichmond,Virginia, take Interstate95 to the

Thornburgexit (exit118).GowestonVARoute208and followsigns toLakeAnnaStatePark.Driveapproximately11milesonRoute208.Afterpassingahighschoolonyourleft,theroadtakesasharpleftturn.Youwillsee a prettywhite farmhouseon the corner and a sign for the state parkindicatingyoushouldfollowRoute208andbearleft.Goapproximately7moremilesandturnrightontoVARoute601.Travel3.3milesandturnleftintoLakeAnnaStatePark.Shortlyaftertheparkentrance,youwillhavetopayaparkentrancefeeof$3onweekdaysand$4onweekends.Continuefollowing the main entrance road until it ends at the beach and mainparking area.At thebackof theparking lot, youwill see theLakeAnnaStateParkVisitorCenter (openMemorialDay toLaborDay).Follow thesidewalkpastthevisitorcenterandboat-rentalareatothetrailhead.

Contact: LakeAnnaStatePark6800LawyersRoadSpotsylvania,VA22553(540)854-5503www.dcr.virginia.gov

VIRGINIARichmondAndDanvilleRailTrail

LocationPittsylvaniaCountyEndpointsRinggoldDepotRoadtoKernsChurchRoadMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstoneTheRichmondandDanvilleRailroadwasan important transportationcorridorfor the Confederacy during the Civil War, linking the Confederate capital ofRichmond with Southside, the area between the James River and the NorthCarolina border, where hospitals, prisons, and supply depots were located.Jefferson Davis and the Confederate army took the route of this railroad linewhentheyretreatedfromRichmondneartheendofthewar.TheyalsousedittocarrywarmaterialsandUnionprisoners.Today,5.5milesof thishistoricalcorridor,whicheventuallybecamepartof

the Norfolk Southern Railway system, is the scenic Richmond and DanvilleRailTrail.AlsocalledtheRinggoldTrail,thistrailwasopenedinJanuary2001.It travels past farmlands and through lightwoods, providing a flat route for awalkorbikerideintheruralVirginiacountrysideontheoutskirtsofDanville.Start your trip at thewestern trailhead, and in only 1mile youwill reach a

wetland area with prime waterfowl watching. The ride is comfortable forbicyclistsorwalkersofallages,andiswheelchairaccessible.YoucanbrushuponyourCivilWarhistoryaswell;plaquesalongthewaydetailsignificanteventsthat happened near the railtrail. For those looking for evidence of the trail’srailroadingpast,theeasterntrailheadhousesarestoredrailroaddepotandanoldredcaboose.

Arestoredrailroaddepotandcabooseareondisplayattheeasternterminusofthetrail.

DIRECTIONS

FromDanville, takeUSHwy.58east forapproximately2.5miles,andthenheadnorthonStateRoute62(RinggoldDepotRoad)for3miles.ThewesterntrailheadislocatedonthesouthsideofRinggoldDepotRoad.To access the eastern trailhead, continue east on Hwy. 58 for an

additional 3.75 miles, and then head north on Hackberry Road for 3.25miles. The trailhead is located west of Hackberry Road (Kerns Church

Road),neartheintersectionofKernsMillRoad.

Contact: DanRiverTrailAssociationPOBox1375(804)822-5725www.danrta.homestead.com

VIRGINIARiverwalkTrail

LocationDanvilleCountyEndpointsCrossingattheDantoAngler’sParktoUnionStreetBridgeMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltThe6.5-mile,pavedRiverwalkTrailispartofDanville’sexpandingnetworkoftrails. This scenic pathway along the Dan River connects industry, beautifulparks, and natural areas. It travels through some of the most important andhistoricalCivilWarregionsofsouthernVirginia.Throughout the CivilWar, Danville functioned as a staging area for many

battles.SomeofitsoldtobaccowarehouseswereturnedintoCivilWarprisonsand the city was the last capital of the Confederate States of America, afterRichmondwascapturedbytheUnionarmy.Thetrail’srecommendedstartingpointisattheCrossingattheDantrailhead

inhistoricaldowntownDanville,alongsidearenovatedtobaccowarehouseandtheactiveAmtrakstationlocatedintheScienceCenter.Fromhere,you’llcrosstheDanRiveronarestored1856railroadbridge.Attheotherside,youcangoeastorwest.Ifyouturnleft(west),thetrailfollowstheriverupstreamforabout1 mile along the river until it reaches the beautiful overlook at Union StreetBridge.

TheRiverwalkTrailtracesaneasypathalongtheDanRiver.

However,thebestpartofthetrailliestotheright,ontheeasternside.Fromhere, the riverside trail will take you on an enjoyable trip through the manybeautifulparksandnaturalareasadjacenttotheDanRiver.You’llseeavarietyofwildlife, includingagooseortwousingthetrail themselves.Onceyoupass

DanDanielMemorial Park, the trail continues towind along the river until itconcludesatAngler’sPark.AttheAngler’sParktrailhead,youhavetheoptionofcontinuingonthetrailsegmenttowardDanvilleRegionalAirport.

DIRECTIONSToreachtheCrossingat theDan,fromSouthVABusinessRoute58in

downtownDanville,takeMainStreetsouthacrosstheDanRiverandmakea leftonCragheadStreet.Follow that for approximately fiveblocksuntilyouseesignsforthetrainstationontheleft.Thetrailheadwillbeonthefarsideoftheparkinglot.

Contact: DanvilleParks,Recreation,andTourism125FloydStreetDanville,VA24541(434)799-5200www.danville-va.gov

VIRGINIAStauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail

LocationCharlotteCountyEndpointsStauntonRiverBattlefieldStateParktoRandolphMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceBallastThis trail, part of Staunton River Battlefield State Park in rural south-centralVirginia, follows the corridor of thehistoricRichmond andDanvilleRailroad.Theprimary featureof the trail—a trestle spanning theStauntonRiver—hasasignificantplaceinCivilWarhistory.In1864,theUnionarmyplannedtomoveintotheregionanddestroythetrestle.IftheUnionhadsucceeded,itwouldhavecutoffacrucialConfederatesupplylineleadingallthewaytoRichmond.ThestorygoesthatabandoflocalmenheldofftheUnionadvancement,preservingthetrestle.Inadditiontothetrailanditsstoriedtrestle,theparkishometotwovisitorscenters,amuseum,aCivilWarfort,andapeacefulnaturetrail.

ArailroadtrestleontheStauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail

The railtrail begins by theCloverVisitorsCenter, near thepark entrance. Itimmediately takes you over the stunning Staunton River Bridge and thenthrough a beautiful open meadow. Two more trestle crossings await—bothspanningmarshy fields—before the trail’s end at theRoanokeStationVisitorsCenter in Randolph. Although both visitor centers have restroom facilities,water,andparking, theoperatinghoursfluctuate.Besure tocall thestateparkbeforeheadingout.

DIRECTIONSToreachtheCloverVisitorsCentertrailheadfromSouthBoston,takeUS

Hwy. 360 and turn left on VA Route 92 to Clover. Go approximately 5milesandturnleftonVARoute600.Driveaboutanother3miles,lookforthesigntothepark,andturnrightonVARoute855intotheentrance.To reach theRoanokeVisitorsCenter inRandolph fromSouthBoston,

takeUSHwy.360toBranchRoad(VARoute608)andmakealeft.FollowthistoitsjunctionwithRoanokeStationRoad(VARoute607)andturnleft.ContinueallthewaytothetrailheadonyourleftinRandolph.

Contact: StauntonRiverBattlefieldStatePark1035FortHillTrailRandolph,VA23962(434)454-4312www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org

VIRGINIAVirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrail

LocationWashingtonandGraysoncountiesEndpointsWhitetoptoAbingdonMileage34

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirt,asphaltTheVirginiaCreeperoffersscenicwondersfromdenseforests,openfields,andlush waterways to railroad relics and delightful small towns. Cyclists andequestrianslovethelengthoftheCreeper,andmanylocalwalkersandjoggerstakeadvantageofthepleasantopportunityforalittleexercise.ThetrailofficiallybeginsattheVirginia/NorthCarolinaborder,buttheeasiest

place to start theCreeper is from theWhitetopStation trailhead. (However, tocover the entire trail, simply ride the extra mile fromWhitetop to the NorthCarolinaborderbeforeturningaroundtobeginyourvoyage.)Thefirst17-milestretchtoDamascusallowsfornumerousrestroombreaksatitsmanytrailheads,some of which are housed in restored railroad depots. This section travelsthrough terrific scenery, fromChristmas tree farmsandgrazing llamas to riverviews and deep forestland. TheAppalachianTrail alsoweaves on and off theCreeper.Aftergoingthroughdensetrees,youwillemergetoglideoverbridgeshighaboveLaurelandGreenCovecreeks.

IntricatetrestlebridgeshelpmakethisoneofVirginia’srailtrailgems.

Atapproximately themidpointof theCreeper,youwill reach theDamascustrailhead. Before tackling the rest of the trail, consider taking a break in thissweettown.Damascusistheself-proclaimedfriendliesttownonthetrail,anditwon’ttakeyoulongtoseewhy:Itstrailheadoffersrestrooms,acaboose-turned-information-booth,areplicatrainengine,andparking.Veeroff thetrail tofindlunchstopsandbikeshopsintown.Afteryourbreak,getreadyforalittlework:FromDamascustothetrail’send

inAbingdon,alittlemoreeffortisrequired.Theconstantdownhillisexchangedforaflatgradewithsomegentlerisesanddescents.It’snotstrenuous,butitisachangefromthefirstsectionoftrail.Ifyouarebicycling,beawarethatabundantequestrian use just afterDamascus can leave itsmark on the trail surface andgiveyouabumpyride.Butdon’tletafewbumpsgetyoudown.Theystart topeter out about 7 miles before Abingdon, and some of the Creeper’s mostbeautifulriverandfarmlandviewsarestillahead.OnaridgelinehighabovetheSouthForkHolstonRiver,youwillemergeonto

a bridge offering invigorating views of South Holston Lake about 1770 feetbelow.Enjoythewater,cliffs,andtreeswhiletheylast,becausethelandscapeisabouttochangeagain,thistimetopeaceful,sprawlingranchland.AsyoucontinueyourjourneytowardAbingdonyouwillrunintocattlegates

across the trail. These gates mark your entrance to the Creeper’s expansivegrazing meadows. This tranquil farmland accompanies you for much of theremainderofthejourney.AboutahalfmilefromAbingdonisapublicparkwithrestrooms,picnicareas,andawaterfountain.Justacrossthelastbridge,youwillreachtheendpoint.If you are traveling to theVirginiaCreeper fromout of town, consider that

manybikeshopsinDamascusandAbingdonofferbikerentalsandashuttleuptotheWhitetopStationtrailhead.

DIRECTIONSToget to theWhitetopStation trailhead, followUSHwy.58east from

Abingdon into Grayson County. Turn right on VA Route 726 and headsouthtowardtheNorthCarolinaborder.Youwillseetheparkingareaoffof726.Toget to theAbingdon trailhead,headsouthonMainStreet (USHwy.

11) in Abingdon and turn right onto Pecan Street. There is a largelocomotiveengineondisplaybythetrailhead,whichcanbespottedofftotheleftoftheparkinglot.

Contact: VirginiaCreeperTrailClubPOBox2382Abingdon,VA24212www.vacreepertrail.org

VIRGINIAWashingtonandOldDominionRailroadRegionalPark

LocationArlington,Fairfax,andLoudouncountiesEndpointsFourMileRunDriveinArlingtonto21stStreetinPurcellvilleMileage

RoughnessIndex

1SurfaceAsphaltThepavedW&ODTrail(asitiscommonlyknown)isoneoftheregion’smostpopular railtrails. Used regularly by commuters headed into the Washingtonarea,itservesasagreatlinkbetweenVirginia’sruralandhistoricalpastandthemoderncityofWashington,DC.TheWashington&OldDominionRailroadwasbuiltontheeveoftheCivil

War in 1858. At times both a passenger line and a freight line, the railroadeventuallylostouttomoreefficientmodesoftransportationandwentintodisusein1968.In1982,itwaspurchasedbytheNorthernVirginiaParksAssociation,whichstillownsandmaintainsthetrailtoday.The trail isexceptionallywell-marked,withposts indicatingeveryhalfmile

beginning in Shirlington, Virginia, where the trail starts in the heart of theWashington, DC-metropolitan area. From this urban setting, the trail headsthoughvarioussuburbanneighborhoods.BleaumontPark(at3.5miles),oneofmanypicnicareasandparkswithinthetrail’sfirst10miles,isagreatreststop,with both water and restrooms available. At 5.5 miles, the trail provides anaccesspoint toWashington’sMetrorail systembyconnecting to theEastFallsChurchStation.

RuralVirginiafarmlandisfoundatthenorthernendofthistrail,lessthan45milesoutsideofthenation’scapital.

As you make your way beyond the Interstate 495 beltway, at mile 9, usecautionat several roadscrossings,especiallyduring rushhour.NowinFairfaxCounty,thetrailcontinuesthroughthecommunitiesofVienna(atmile12)andReston (atmile18).These suburbanneighborhoods thinoutabit and the trailbecomesmorewooded.The town of Herndon (at mile 20.5) is home to a wonderful trailside train

depot,oneofmanyalongthetrailthatalsoprovidesagoodreststop.Asthetrail

continues, it passes throughAshburn (atmile 27.5), Sterling (atmile 28), andLeesburg(atmile34).ThehistoricaltownofLeesburghasacolonialfeelandispopularspotforlunchandantiquing.Thefinal10milesfromLeesburgtoPurcellvilletravelthroughrollinghillsof

classicVirginiafarmland.Horsesgraze,cornfieldsflourish,andtrailuserscanuse the tripasachance tosampleVirginiawinesat themanyvineyards in theregion.The last stopon the trail is thePurcellvilleTrainDepot (atmile44.8).ThetrailendsonadownhillrideintothetownofPurcellvillewithaviewoftheBlueRidgeMountainsloomingonthewesternhorizon.

DIRECTIONSTobeginatthesouthernendoftheW&ODTrail, takeInterstate395to

theShirlingtonexit,bearrighttoheadnorth,anddrivetosecondstoplight.TurnlefthereonSouthFourMileRunDrive.TheW&ODTrailwillbeontheright,parallelingtheroad.Youcanparkalongthesideoftheroad,butitisnotadvisabletoleaveyourcarovernighthere.Tobegin at the farnorthern end inPurcellville, takeVARoute7west.

Exit atVARoute 287 and turn left. FollowRoute 287 untilVABusinessRoute7and takea right.Turnrightagainon21stStreet.ThePurcellvilleTrainDepotisaquartermileawayontheright.Parkingisavailableatthedepot.

Contact: FriendsoftheWashingtonandOldDominionTrail21293SmithsSwitchRoadAshburn,VA20147(703)729-0596www.wodfriends.org

VIRGINIAWildernessRoadTrail

LocationLeeCountyEndpointsCumberlandGapNationalHistoricalParktoEwingMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstoneHistoryrunsdeepalongtheWildernessRoadTrail,whichroughlyfollowsapathcarved byDaniel Boone inApril 1775. The path later became a route on theLouisville and Nashville Railroad before finally being converted to a railtrailthatstretchesfromanationalhistoricparktoastatepark.At the western trailhead in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, the

WildernessRoadTrailconnectstothe1.6-mileBooneTrail,whichconnectstoalargertrailsystemthatcontinuesthroughtheCumberlandGap.

TheWildernessRoadTrailprovidesaquietsojournthroughthecountry,despiteitsproximitytocivilization.

Just beyond the trailhead in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, youmightcatchaglimpseofmajesticbuffalograzinginaprivatelyowned,fencedarea.Thefirst2milesrunrightnexttothefour-laneUSHwy.58.Althoughthissoundsunpleasant, you are separated from themotorizedvehicles and there issomethingmajestic about riding through forsythia toward forest and farmland.Afterthisstretch,thetrailbacksintoaquietandmuchmorescenicareabehinda

veilof trees, although thepath stillparallelsHwy.58until the trail’s terminusjustwestofEwing.Once it retreats from the road, the trailmeanders throughnearly 7miles of

picturesquefarmland,completewithbrightwhitefencesandgrazingcows.Theroute is dotted with quaint homes, barns, and silos, and the impressiveCumberlandMountainservesasabackdroptothisidylliclandscape.Wilderness Road State Park hosts reenactments and living history events

throughout theyear.TheJosephMartinHouse, located in theparkandnext tothetrail,offersrestrooms,agiftshop,andlocalhistoryexhibits.

DIRECTION

ToreachthewesternmosttrailheadinCumberlandGap,headwestfromAbingdononUSHwy.58.ContinuepasttheHeartofAppalachiaGazebotrailheadandpavedparkinglotonyourright,whichisabout4mileswestof Wilderness Road State Park. Continue west on Hwy. 58, and afteranother 2 miles, reach the trail’s start point, where you’ll find limitedroadsideparking.Ifyou’recomingfromthewestonHwy.58,thetrailheadisabout1mileeastoftheintersectionofHwy.58andUSHwy.25.TheeasternmosttrailheadisalsorightoffofHwy.58,atapavedparking

lotabout3mileswestofEwing.Ifyou’reheadingwestonHwy.58fromAbingdon,you’llseeasignstatingthatCumberlandGapis10milesaway.TheparkingareaisonthenorthsideofHwy.58.

Contact:WildernessRoadStateParkRoute2,Box115Ewing,VA24248(276)445-3065www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wil.shtml

WildernessRoadTrail,Virginia

WestVirginia

35AlleghenyHighlandsTrail36BarnumRailTrail37BlackwaterCanyonTrail38BrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionTrail39CountyLineTrail40CranberryTri-RiversRailTrail41EastForkTrail42FlatrockRunTrail43GladeCreekTrail44GreaterWheelingTrail45GreenbrierRiverTrail46LimerockTrail47MorgantownRailTrailSystem48NarrowGaugeTrail49NorthBendRailTrail50OtterCreekWildernessArea51SenecaCreekTrail52SouthProngTrail53ThurmondMindenTrail54WestForkRiverTrail55WestForkTrail56WhitmeadowRidgeTrail

WESTVIRGINIAAlleghenyHighlandsTrail

LocationRandolphandTuckercountiesEndpointsElkinstoHendricksMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceAsphalt,crushedstoneTheAlleghenyHighlandsTrail follows theoriginal routeof theWestVirginiaCentral and Pittsburgh Railway built by Henry GassawayDavis in 1884. For24.5miles,thisexceptionallyscenictrailprovidespanoramicviewsoftheWestVirginiacountrysideasitpassesthroughamountainousregionwithsmalltownsandruralfarmland.From the southern Highland Park trailhead in Elkins, the trail gradually

ascendsforapproximately15milesasitpassesaroundthePheasantandPolecatKnob mountains. The rural vistas and mountainous backgrounds providenumerousopportunitiesforphotos.Asyoupassaroundthemountains,thetrailstartstodescendmoresteeplyasitapproachesthesmalltownofParsons.A short, easy-to-follow, on-road section of the trail in Parsons offers the

chancetogrababitetoeatatanyoftheseveralsmall-townrestaurants.Thetrailcontinues by followingUSHwy. 219 north for less than amile, crossing theShaversForkandBlackForkriverstoreachthenexttrailhead,locatedjustovertheBlackForkRiveronthesouthernsideofHwy.219.

Thistrailrunsalongseveralwaterways:LeadingCreek,ShaversFork,BlackFork,andtheCheatRiver—knownforitsimpressiverapids.

The remaining3-mile sectionof the trail is paved and follows thebeautifulBlackForkRiver to thesmall townofHendricks.Plansare ineffect toextendtheAlleghenyHighlandsTrailnorthtoMt.StormLake,makingitapproximately44 miles in length. A path, though not the actual trail, continues along thebeautifully scenic Blackwater River to the town of Thomas; however, thissectionisquitesteep.

DIRECTIONS

From downtown Elkins, take US Hwy. 219 north to access thesouthernmosttrailhead,HighlandPark,locatedacrossfromtheDivisionofHighwaysDistrict8Headquarters(justamilefromdowntownElkins.The Gilman, Kerens,Montrose, and Porterwood trailheads are located

mid-trail,andeachincludeparkingfacilities.ContinuefollowingUSHwy.219northtothenortherntrailheadlocated

attheintersectionofMainand3rdstreetsinHendricks.

Contact: HighlandsTrailFoundationPOBox2862Elkins,WV26241(304)636-4519www.highlandstrail.org

WESTVIRGINIABarnumRailTrail

LocationMineralCountyEndpointsBarnumRoadMileage4

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceBallast,dirt,grassNestledinanorthernvalleyofWestVirginia,theBarnumRailTrailfollowstheNorth Branch of the Potomac River through the superb scenery of theUpperPotomac region. If you plan to explore this out-and-back trail by bike, amountainbikeisthebestchoicefortacklingthepackedballastsurface.The trail begins in the very small community of Barnum, just north of

RandolphJenningsLakeinMineralCounty.Thetrailhead(theonlyaccesspointfor this route) is very pleasant, with ample parking, restroom facilities, and asmall park overlooking the Potomac River that offers access to incrediblefishing.Exercisecautionforthefirstmile;thetrailisopentovehiculartraffic,though

youprobablywon’tencountertoomanycarsatthisremotelocation.Beyondthelarge parking area and a closed gate, the remaining 3 miles are strictly non-motorized.After thegate, the trailheads into theopenandoffersstunningviewsof the

vibrantPotomac.Lushhillsidesriseoneithersideoftheriver,andthetrailhugs

thewestslopewhilethewaterchurnsandflowsimmediatelytoyourleftforthenext2miles.

ThepathoftheBarnumRailTrailischaracterizedbytheflowoftheNorthBranchofthePotomacRiver,aswastherailroaditself.

The trail thenentersadenselywoodedarea—a landscape itmaintains to itsnorthernendpointaboutamileahead.Youcanheartheactiverapidsonlyafewhundred feet away at any given time. Though there is no official signage

markingtheendofthetrail,itbecomesapparentwherethecorridorisnolongermaintained.Atthispoint,simplyturnaroundandenjoytherideorwalkback.

DIRECTIONS

To access the trailhead for this out-and-back trail, take US Hwy. 220southfromKeyserandthenheadwestonUSHwy.50.After7miles,takearight onWVRoute 42 and then bear right ontoWVRoute 46. Once inCross,takealeftonBarnumRoadandfollowittotheend.Thetrailwillbeontheright.

Contact:MineralCountyParksandRecreation150ArmstrongStreetKeyser,WV26726(304)788-5732www.mineralcountywv.com/index.asp

WESTVIRGINIABlackwaterCanyonTrail

LocationTuckerCountyEndpointsThomastoHendricksMileage

RoughnessIndex

3SurfaceGravel,dirtIn 1888, the Blackwater Canyon Trail, located in the Monongahela NationalForest,wasusedtohaulcoalandlumberthroughthisstunningcanyon.Today,remnantsofthishistorystillremainjustoutsideofThomas—intheformofcokeovensthatlinethetrailalongthemountainside.The Blackwater Canyon Trail is perfect for the hiker or mountain biker in

searchofsolitude.Therelativelystraighttrailisbeautiful,withmountainsliningboth sidesof the canyon, and the roaringof theBlackwaterRiverprovidingasoothing soundtrack.Better views of the river, including scenicwaterfalls, areavailableduringlatefall,winter,andearlyspring,whenthetreesdon’thaveasmanyleaves.It is best to follow this trail from Thomas to Hendricks, as there is

considerable climb in the other direction.As you travel along theBlackwaterCanyon Trail, you may happen upon one of several endangered species,includingtheWestVirginiaflyingsquirrel, Indianabat,or theCheatMountainsalamander. The habitat surrounding the trail is vital to the survival of thesespecies,soitisimportanttostayonthetrail.InHendricks,itisalsopossibletopickuptheAlleghenyHighlandsTrailandLimerockTrail.

EverythinginthispartoftheMonongahelaNationalForestisaffectedbythewaterthatrunsthroughthemountains.

Althoughthisbeautifultrailisopentothepublic,alocalloggingcompanyisinterested in converting it into a private logging road. The Friends of theBlackwaterCanyon, a local trail group, is negotiatingwith the Forest Serviceandotherpartiestopreventthelossofthisvaluableandhistoricalresource.

DIRECTIONS

InThomas,headsouthonWVRoute32(SpruceStreet).TurnrightontoDouglasRoad,whichcrossesthetrail.TurnleftoffDouglasRoadontothetrail(youcandriveonthisportion)toreachthetrailheadapproximatelyamile down the road. The trailhead, where there is space for parking, ismarkedbyaForestServicegate.Thereisspacethereforparking.InHendricks,takeRoute72eastthroughtownandturnrightonSecond

Street.Thetrailheadisontheright.Lookforthegazeboandparkingatthetrailhead.

Contact: USDAForestServiceCarolRuckerPOBox368Parsons,WV26287(304)478-3251www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/index.shtml

WESTVIRGINIABrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionTrail

LocationFayetteCountyEndpointsBrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceGravel,dirt,ballastAsitweavespastlong-abandonedminingtownssuchasRedAshandRushRun,theBrooklyn toSouthsideJunctionTrail tells theuniquestoryof“KingCoal”and Appalachia. Once an important transportation corridor used to haul coalfrom the remoteNewRiverGorge, this recycled railroad corridor now bringsnewlifeintotheareaasatouristattraction.Nevermorethan100yardsfromtheNewRiver,thistrailprovidesuserswith

an up-close look at the natural beauty foundwithin and along theNewRiverGorgeNationalRiver.Aforestoflargeoaktrees,rhododendron,andevergreensenvelopeyouasthetrailmeandersalongthebankoftheriver.Oneofthemostpopular among the area’s many trails, this trail is particularly attractive tomountainbikerswhoenjoy the rough ridingprovidedbyexposed railroad tiesalongitsroute.BeginningattheBrooklyntrailhead,headsouthalongtheNewRiver.Listen

for theexuberant screamsofwhitewater rafterson thewater,oneof the finestwhitewaterriversintheeasternUS.ActiverailroadtracksatSouthsideJunctionsignalthetemporaryendofthetrail.WhilethetrailextendspastthesetrackstoatrailheadatSouthsideJunction,alegal(andsafe)crossinghereiscurrentlynotavailable. According to theNational Park Service, negotiations are underway,but in the interim, please respect this private property and keep clear of thetracks.

RockbluffsalongtheNewRivermakeforanadventuroustimeontheBrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionTrail.

DIRECTIONS

ToreachtheBrooklyntrailheadfromBeckley,takeUSRoute19northtoFayetteville.TakeStateRoute 16 south throughFayetteville and turn leftontoGatewoodRoad.Turn left at theCunard turnoff and follow signs toCunardRiverAccess.Onceyoureachtheriver-accessarea,continue1mile

upthegravelroadtotheBrooklyntrailhead,whereparkingisavailable.TheSouthsideJunctionendisnotrecommendedasastartforthetrail–

the active rail line perpendicular to the trail often blocks access to thetrailhead,makingcrossinghazardous.

Contact: NewRiverGorgeNationalRiverPOBox246GlenJean,WV25846(304)465-0508www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm

WESTVIRGINIACountyLineTrail

LocationRandolphandPocahontascountiesEndpointsForestServiceRoad35totheBeulahTrailMileage4

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirtThe County Line Trail is a short, less-traveled alternative to the neighboring21.7-mileWestForkTrail.Thetrailtravels4milesalongtheborderofRandolphandPocahontascounties,henceitsname,andfollowstheridgelineoftheLittleBeechMountainthroughhardwoodforestinMonongahelaNationalForest.Thisarea ishome to impressive standsofoak trees, a slight change from theusualMonongahelasettingofrhododendrons,pinetrees,andferns.Alarge,green,metalgaspumpsitsoffForestServiceRoad35A,markingthe

start of theCountyLineTrail,which iswell-markedwith thenational forest’sstandardblueblazes,aswellaswoodarrowsigns.

TheaptlynamedCountyLineTrailsplitsRandolphandPocahontascountiesintheMonongahelaNationalForest.

Almost3milesin,youwillmakeashortascenttothetopoftheridge.Afteranothermile,youwillenteraclearingforyetanothergaswell.Theserviceroadforthiswelldoublesasthelastlegofthetrail.FollowittoreachtheendoftheCounty Line Trail, where you can either turn back around or connect to theBeulahTrail,whichtakesyounorthforanother3.3miles.

DIRECTIONSToget tothestartpoint(it’snotpossibletodrivetotheendpoint)from

Elkins,takeUSHwy.33/WVRoute55easttowardBowden.About4milesafteryoutravelthroughBowden,turnrightontoCountyRoad27.Onceyoureach the town ofGlady, turn left ontoCountyRoad 22 and then take aquickrightontoCountyRoad22-2,which turns intoForestServiceRoad44aroundtheHighFallsTrail.Alittlemorethan7milesfromGlady,youwill reachForestServiceRoad35.Followit toForestServiceRoad35A,whichendsatagaswellsite.Atthefarend,thereisablockedroad.Takethisroad(onfoot)40feettothetrailheadoftheCountyLineTrail.Parkingisplentifularoundthegaswell.

Contact:MonongahelaNationalForest200SycamoreStreetElkins,WV26241(304)636-1800www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/index.shtml

WESTVIRGINIACranberryTri-RiversRailTrail

LocationNicholasandWebstercountiesEndpointsRichwoodtoAllingdaleMileage16

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirt,gravelTheCranberryTri-RiversRailTrail,alsocalledtheCranberryRailTrail,isnamedfortheCranberry,Cherry,andGauleyriversittravelsalongoracross.ItbeginsindowntownRichwood,immediatelybehindthevisitorscenter,whichishousedintheoldpassengerandfreightrailwaydepot.Forthefirst6milesofthistrail,you travel through townandadjacent to residents’yards.Don’tbedeterredbytheoccasionallitter-strewnyardordogthatgiveschase:ThetrailhereparallelsthebeautifulCherryRiverandiswellworththetripfortheview.Shortly after the trail crosses WV Route 55 in Holcomb, it enters

MonongahelaNational Forest. Here, the route—now amore dedicated trail—becomes much easier to follow, with no road crossings or private propertyabutting it, and only the roar of the rushing water to keep you company. Abeautifulwaterfallontherightisvisiblefromtheconvenientlylocatedviewingplatform.

Afteryoucross theCranberryRiver, thetrail takesyouthroughthecurving,640-footSarah’sTunnel,whichispitchdarkatitscenter.Onemilebeyondthetunnel,youarriveatthetrail’send.Thereareplanstoextendthetrailanother10milesintotheforest,butuntilthathappens,pleaseadheretothenotrespassingsigns. For a longer visit, cabins are located next to the trail once you enterMonongahela National Forest. As with most trails in West Virginia, theCranberryTri-RiversRailTrailisbreathtakinglybeautiful.However,thesurfacecanbeadifficultduetoprotrudingtreerootsandrocks;bepreparedfor thick,stickymudjustafterthewinterthaw.

Thistrailfeatures16milesofWestVirginiawildernessadjacenttotheCherryandGauleyrivers.

DIRECTIONSTo reach the Richwood Trailhead, from the only traffic light in

Richwood,takeWVRoute39south(downhill)andstopattheoldrailwaydepot.Thetrailisthegravel/dirtpathbehindthedepot.TheHolcombTrailhead is the recommended starting point for this trip

throughMonongahelaNationalForest.TheCranberryTri-RiversRailTrailcrosses WV Route 55 on the east side of the Cherry River (if you arecomingfromRichwood,lookforthetrailbeforethebridgeovertheriver).Youcanparkatthetrailentranceonthenorthsideoftheroad.

Contact: FourSeasonsOutfitters190Route39/55MarlingtonRoadRichwood,WV26261(304)846-2862www.fourseasonsoutfitter.com

WESTVIRGINIAEastForkTrail

LocationPocahontasCountyEndpointsIslandCampgroundinMonongahelaNationalForesttoForestServiceRoad254Mileage8

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirtThescenicEastForkTrailfollowstheEastForkoftheGreenbrierRiverthroughhemlockstandsandpineplantationsandpastmanysmallwaterfalls,extending8milesfromtheIslandCampgroundinBartowtoPig’sEarRoad(ForestServiceRoad 254). During the winter thaw and spring rains, this is a very wet andmuddytrail,withstreamcrossingsatmile2.5andnearmile6.Youcanavoidthefirstcrossingbystayingontheeastsideofthestreamandlookingforthetrailblazesagainwithin300yards.Anglers,rafters,andothershaveovernightoptionsalongthetrail.Inaddition

tothesmallcampgroundatthetrail’sstart,therearemorecampsitesnearmile5,wherethetrailcrossesForestServiceRoad51.

TheEastForkTrailfollowsthepathofariver,whichoccasionallymakesforawetwalkduringthewinterthaw.

The final section of the trail leaves the banks of the Greenbrier River andfollowsagradualuphillclimbtoPig’sEarRoad.TheEastForkTrailisatreatatany time of year, but if you hit the trail during berry season, be sure to lookaroundfortasty,wildserviceberries,alsocalledmountainblueberries,whichcanbefoundalongtheentirecorridor.

DIRECTIONSFrom Durbin, take US Hwy. 250 east. After you pass Bartow, the

highwaymergeswithWVRoute28.StayonRoute28,andabout6milesfrom Bartow you will see signs for Island Campground, where the trailbeginsinthemiddleofthecampgrounds,justofftheroad.If the campsites are full and there is nowhere to park, continue going

northeastonRoute28another5milestoForestServiceRoad112.Followthisforabout2milesuntilitforkswithForestServiceRoad254.Take254totheend,wherethereisagatemarkingthebeginningofprivateproperty.Thetrailbegins to the leftof thisgate;parkingisavailableonthesideoftheroad.

Contact:MonongahelaNationalForest200SycamoreStreetElkins,WV26241(304)636-1800www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/

WESTVIRGINIAFlatrockRunTrail

LocationTuckerCountyEndpointsRedCreekValleytoMt.PorteCrayonMileage

RoughnessIndex

3SurfaceDirtWest Virginia’s fifth highest point,Mt. Porte Crayon, boasts dense hardwoodforests, spectacular views, and a scenic hike up the Flatrock Run Trail (alsoknown as Forest Service Trail #519). The trail is almost entirely in theMonongahelaNationalForestandfollowsoneoftheoldloggingrailroadgradesfound all over this mountain. The hike to the majestic 4770-foot peak isstrenuous,buttheviewsfromthetoparewellworththeeffort.The trailbegins in the remoteRedCreekValley, a startingpoint for agreat

number of otherwilderness trails.Youwill find the trailhead—the trail’s onlyaccess point—located on private property off of Lanesville Road. Hikers areallowedaccesshere through an agreementbetween theForestService and thelandowner.For its first mile, the Flatrock Run Trail makes a gradual ascent through

private farmlanduntil itmeets thenational forest boundary.After 3miles andseveral switchbacks, you will be well above the valley floor, where the trailcrossesFlatrockRunCreek.Thereisnobridgehere,sousecaution,especiallyduringsnowrunoffinthespring.Thecreek,whichyouwillfollowfortheentirejourney,offerswonderfulcascadingwaterfallsthroughoutthetrail.

Agradualascentandseveralswitchbacksthroughapineforesttakeyoutoa4770-footpeak.

Thelast2milesoftheFlatrockRunTrailarestrenuousbutrewarding.AtthesummitofMt.PorteCrayon,youcanpickuptheBearsNestTrailthatconnectstotheSouthProngTrailorsimplysoakupthegorgeousAppalachianlandscapebeforeheadingdownhillforthereturntrip.

DIRECTIONS

FromElkins,takeUSHwy.33easttoHarmonandmergeleftontoWVRoute 32. Travel 3.75miles and take a right onBonnerMountainRoad.Afterapproximately4miles, therewillbeadrivewayon the rightwithalargebarnandstablesetbackontopofahill.Goupthedrivewayandlookfor the blue diamond blaze that marks the trailhead at the back of theproperty.

WESTVIRGINIAGladeCreekTrail

LocationRaleighCountyEndpointGladeCreekMileage6

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceGravel,dirtSituatedintheheartofWestVirginia’spristineNewRiverGorgeNationalRiver,theGladeCreekTrail(out-and-backonly)hassomethingforeveryone.OnceanarrowgaugerailroadcorridorusedtohaulcoalfromremotemineswithinNewRiver Gorge, Glade Creek Trail is now a popular destination for hiking,swimming,fishing,camping,andkayaking.StartyourtripatthetrailheadlocatedneartheconfluenceofGladeCreekand

the New River. Here you will find several well-maintained campsites, picnictables, and restrooms.The trailhead is alsohome to a popular swimmingholethatisagreatplacetocooloffafterahotsummerhike.

Thistrailpassesbeneathoneofseveraltoweringsingle-archbridges,oneofwhichispopularwithbasejumpers.

Once on the trail, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and picturesquewaterfalls provided by Glade Creek, as it rushes past on its way to the NewRiver.Besuretobringyourfishingpole,asthelowersectionofGladeCreekisanofficialcatch-and-releasetroutstream.Asthetrailmeandersalongthebanksofthecreek,keepaneyeoutfornativewildlifeandtheoccasionaladventurouskayakerattemptingtonavigatethecreek’sswiftrapids.

TheGladeCreekTrailhasamoderategrade,butthefirsthalfcanbedifficulttohike,asthepathisslightlynarrowandfrequentlystrewnwithlargerocksandtree branches.Once you cross the trail’s lone bridge, found around the 3-milemark, the trail becomes wider and better maintained. If you’re looking for achallenge,hit themorestrenuousKatesFallsTrail locatedabout1milebeforetheendofGladeCreekTrail.

DIRECTIONSFromBeckley,followUSHwy.19northtowardOakHillandthendrive

northonWVRoute41towardPrince.TurnrightontoGladeCreekRoad,justbefore thebridge inPrince.Follow thegravel roadfor7miles to theGladeCreekTrailhead.

Contact: NewRiverGorgeNationalRiverPOBox246GlenJean,WV25846(304)465-0508www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/glade_creek_trail.htm

WESTVIRGINIAGreaterWheelingTrail

LocationOhioCountyEndpointsPikeIslandLocksandDamto48thandWaterstreetsMileage14

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceAsphaltTheGreaterWheelingTrailstartsatPikeIslandLocksandDam,andprovidesanurbanescapeandanopportunitytosoakuplocalhistoryandmodernindustryinthishistoriccity.Theentiretrailisflatandpaved,andbeautifulsignsalongtherouteprovidea

self-guidedtourofWheeling’shistoricalpast.AtitscoreistheOhioRiver,thepowerfulandone-timelifebloodofthecity’smanufacturingindustry.Thistrailtravels under themassive bridge spanning the river and connectingWheelingwithOhioand the restof thewest.Barges stillgoupanddown the river, andwithgoodtimingandpatienceyoucanwatchoneprogressthroughtheseriesoflocks.AcouplemilesfromthestartandjustbeforetheWheelingConventionCenter

isacolorfulplayground.Ifyouaretravelingwithchildren,stopintoplayonthemonkeybars,orsimplysitbackandenjoysomequalitypeople-watchingfrom

oneof the trail’smanybenchesorfromoneof theeateriesnearby.Ifyoupicktherightplace,youwillberewardedwithasplendidviewoftheriver,wildlife,andmanytrailusers.

ThistrailfeaturestheHempfieldViaductandatunnelbuiltin1904.

The trail is in constant use by people of all ages. Multiple residential

neighborhoods (aswell as aWal-Mart) border the trail, so youwill likely seelocals walking or riding to purchase groceries and supplies. Students,particularlyelementaryschoolchildrenontheirwaytoschool,usethetrail,too.

DIRECTIONSTo get to the starting point from downtownWheeling, travel north on

River Road and look for Pike Island Locks and Dam on the left. Theparkinglotisinfrontofthedam.Theendpointislocatedattheintersectionof48thStreetandWaterStreetindowntownWheeling.

WESTVIRGINIAGreenbrierRiverTrail

LocationGreenbrierandPocahontascountiesEndpointsCassScenicRailroadStateParktoNorthCaldwellMileage77

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceGravelWest Virginia’s beautiful Greenbrier River Trail is one of America’s premierrailtrails—popular with bicyclists, hikers, walkers, and cross-country skiers.Mostof the trail runsalong thegorgeousGreenbrierRiverandpasses throughpicturesqueWestVirginiacountrysideand local townshipsas itwinds throughthe rivervalley.There isnodoubt thatyouwill seemany formsof interestingwildlifealongthiswonderfultrail.Today,thetrailisoperatedandmaintainedbyWestVirginiaStateParks,butit

was originally built for use by one of the manyWest Virginia railroads thatserviced the once prospering local timber industry. Now the trail is forrecreational use, with overnight campsites and many restroom and waterfacilitiesscatteredalongitsroute.Forthelast20years,thetrailhashostedthepopular annual Great Greenbrier River Race, which consists of a canoeing,biking,andrunningleg.Eventhoughthemilepostsstartatthesouthernterminusofthetrail,it’sbest

to start your trip on the slightly uphill grade at the northern terminus at Cass

ScenicRailroadStateParkandfollowtheriverdownstream.ThefirsttownyouwillpassisCloverLick,alovelylittleAppalachiantownwithrusticremnantsoftheoldrailroaddepotthatonceservedtheboomingloggingindustry.

TheMarlintonDepotontheGreenbrierRiverTrailservesasatrailsidemuseumwithexhibitsontheformerrailroad.

BeyondtheCloverLicktrailhead,thetrailproceedssouth,winding20milesdownstreamthroughsomeofthemostscenicandremotewildernesslandscapesinWestVirginia. This section ends at the only large town youwill encounteralong the trail, Marlinton, which hosts some great lunch spots and bed-and-breakfasts.You can find a trailside information center inMarlinton’s old train

stationnearmile55.Asyouproceedsouth fromMarlinton,youwillcross therivertwicebeforereachingthehalfwaypointatBeard.BeyondBeard,atmilemarker31,isoneofthetrails’twospectaculartunnels:

the 402-foot-longDroopMountain Tunnel, built in 1900. The other is SharpsTunnel,justbeyondmilepoint65.Workbeganontheimpressive,511-foot-longstructurein1899.Thesetunnelsareareminder:OneofthegreatthingsabouttheGreenbrier is theopportunity toseeremnantsof theoldrailroad, including themanywhistlepostsandhistoricalmilemarkers.Continuingsouth,beyondAnthony(atmile15), thetrailcrossestwoformer

railroadbridgesandeventuallyreachesitssouthernterminusatNorthCaldwell(mile post 3). This trailhead is located just outside Lewisburg, which has avarietyofshops,restaurants,andlodgingestablishments.

DIRECTIONSToreachthenortherntrailheadatCass,takeUSHwy.219toWVRoute

66east, or takeWVRoute28 toRoute66west and look for trailheadatCassScenicRailroadStateParkalongRoute66.ToreachthesoutherntrailheadatNorthCaldwell,takeInterstate64east

and takeexit175 toUSHwy.60west.Take this2.7miles toWVRoute38/StoneHouseRoad. Ifyou’recomingfromInterstate64west, takeexit169 toUSHwy. 219 north, and then take this a halfmile toWVRoute30/Brush Road. From here, drive another half mile to Route 38/StoneHouseRoad.

Contact:MonongahelaNationalForestHeadquarters200SycamoreStreetElkins,WV26241(304)636-1800www.greenbrierrivertrail.com

WESTVIRGINIALimerockTrail

LocationTuckerCountyEndpointsForest ServiceRoad 18 toBlackwaterCanyonTrail inMonongahelaNationalForestMileage4

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceDirtTheLimerockTrailispureWestVirginia:FromForestServiceRoad18,the4-mile railtrail passes through rhododendron forests and along rocky cliffs andrushingstreams.YoubeginwiththesoundoftherapidsfromTubRun,andtheyquietlydisappearasyouheadwestdowntheridgetowardHendricks.Thereareseveralplacesonthetrailwhereyouwillhavetotraverseastream.

Whenthewaterlevelislow,it’spossibletodothisbyrock-hopping;otherwise,yourfeetwillgetwet.Afterabout1.5miles,youwillreachBigRun,wheretheblueblazesmarking thepathbecomemore sporadic; however, the trail is stilleasy to follow. After Big Run, you will come to Flat Rock Run. Departingbrieflyfromthe trailandfollowingthiscreekdownhillwillbringyou toa20-footwaterfall.ThetrailendsattheBlackwaterCanyonTrail.ToavoidtheLimerockTrail’s

uphillreturnhike,youcanfollowtheBlackwaterCanyonabout5milesnorthtoCoketonor2milessouthtoHendricks.

AhighclifffacealongtheLimerockTrailprovidesamazingviewsoftheBlackwaterRiverandsurroundinghillsides.

DIRECTIONSFromElkins, takeUSHwy.219north towardParsons.About10miles

afteryoupassParsons,youwillseeasignon theright forForestServiceRoad18.Turnrighthereandthentakethenext left,whichisactuallythecontinuation of Forest ServiceRoad 18 (there is no sign indicating this).Youwillneedafour-wheel-drivevehicletoreachthetrailonthisroad,asitis not paved and is very rutted, with at least one stream crossing. Afterabout3.5miles,youwill seea sign for theLimerockTrailonyour right.Youmayparkonthesideoftheroad.Fora longerhike,youcan takeUSHwy.219 towardParsonsand then

takeWVRoute72toHendricks.OnRoute72,youwillseetoyourrighttheAllegheny Highlands Trail trailhead. Park in this lot, located near theBlackwater River on your right, and take the Allegheny Highlands Trailacross Route 72 to the Blackwater Canyon Trail. This trail will meetLimerockabout2milesnorthofHendricks.

WESTVIRGINIAMorgantownRailTrailSystem

LocationMarion,Monongalia,andPrestoncountiesEndpointsMorgantownMileage45

RoughnessIndex1SurfaceAsphalt,crushedstoneMorgantown is known as the home of the University of West Virginia, theinspirationforaJoniMitchellsong,andthebirthplaceofDonKnotts.ButsoontheMorgantownareawillalsobeknownforitswonderfultrailsystem.The nexus of this 45-mile trail system is Hazel Ruby McQuain Park in

downtownMorgantown.Locatedadjacenttoarestoredrailwaystation,theparkis a vibrant hub of local activity, with a steady stream of walkers, runners,skaters,andcyclists.Therailtrailthatrunsthroughthepark–stretching6.5milestothenorthand19.5milestothesouth—hugstheMonongahelaRiver,oneofafew American rivers that flows north. The “Mon” eventually arrives inPittsburgh,whereitjoinstheAlleghenyRivertoformtheOhioRiver.

HomesandbusinessesareaccessiblearoundtheMorgantownRailTrailSystem.

This stretch of trail,which follows a formerCSX rail line, comprises threesegments with three different names. The middle section, the Caperton Trail,namedaftera formerWestVirginiagovernor, isapaved5.5-mile routewithinthecityofMorgantown.This trailparallels the riverpast retailbusinesses, theuniversity,industrialareas,andthebackdecksofeateriesthatcatertotrailusers.TheMonRiverTrailNorthisacrushed-stonetrailthatstartsahalfmilenorth

ofStarCity,asmalltownnorthofMorgantown.Itendsabruptlyafter2.7miles,

whenyoureachabridgethathasnotbeenrestored.Whenfullydeveloped,thissectionoftrailwillextend4moremilestothePennsylvaniastateline,whereitwillonedayconnectwithtrailsnearPointMarion,Pennsylvania.TheMon River Trail South begins where the paved trail becomes crushed

stone at the southern edge ofMorgantown. From there, it meanders for 17.8milestoPrickettsFortStatePark.TheMonSouthlazilywindsalongthemanytwists and turns of theMonongahela, and it is a delight to travel through thiswoodedriparianlandscape.The Decker’s Creek Trail is the gem of the system. Beginning at the

confluence of the Monongahela River and Decker’s Creek at Hazel RubyMcQuainPark,thetrailstretches19milestothesoutheast,gaining1000feetasit climbs out of the Monongahela River valley. The first 2.5 miles of theDecker’s Creek Trail are paved, passing through an unremarkable urbanlandscape inMorgantown.But all that changes after the trail turns to crushedstone and passes under Interstate 68. As the ascent begins, you enter a rurallandscape distinguished by hemlock, rhododendron, and a smattering ofresidences.ButthemostmemorablefeatureofthislandscapeisDecker’sCreekitself.Becauseofthesteadygrade,thetrailpassesaseriesofdramaticrapidsandwaterfallsasthecreeknoisilyrushesheadlongtowardtheMonongahela.Asyoucontinuetheclimb,Dave’sSnackShackisawelcomerespiteatmile

9.ProprietorDaveLewisofferscolddrinks,acomfortableseatintheshade,andageneroushelpingoflocallore.Thisisnottobemissed.Asthetrailapproachesits endpoint near Reedsville, the grade flattens and the woods give way towetlandareasthatfeaturecattailsandred-wingedblackbirds.Forthosenotaccustomedtorailtrailsthatrequirehardpedaling,youcanstart

ontheReedsvilleendandenjoyapleasantridedownhillintoMorgantown.

DIRECTIONSToreachtheHazelRubyMcQuainParkfromInterstate68west,takeexit

7andgo0.3mile.TurnrightonCountRoad857southandgo1mile.TurnleftonUSHwy.119 (MilegroundRoad/NorthWilleyStreet).Go3milesandturnleftasHwy.119becomesHighStreet.Go1mileandturnrightonMorelandStreet.HazelRubyMcQuainParkisinlessthanaquartermile.To reach Edith Barill Riverfront Park, take WV Route 7 north from

downtown Morgantown (Don Knotts Blvd./University Blvd./BeechhurstAve./MonongahelaBlvd.)toStarCity.ToreachPrickettsFortStateParkfromInterstate79,takeexit139north

ofFairmontandfollowsignstothepark.

To reach the Reedsville trailhead from Morgantown, take Route 7southeast toward Reedsville for about 17 miles. In Reedsville, continuestraightonRoute92.Go0.8miletothetrailhead.

Contact: www.morgantown.com/trails.htm

WESTVIRGINIANarrowGaugeTrail

LocationFayetteCountyEndpointsOldSewellRoadtoBabcockStateParkMileage3

RoughnessIndex2SurfaceGravel,dirtTheNarrowGaugeTrailinBabcockStateParkfollowsthegentlegradeofwhatwastheMannsCreekRailway,whichconnectedClifftoptoSeweluntilitclosedin 1956. The trail is breathtaking, but be forewarned: If you are not anaccomplishedmountain biker, you should consider it a hiking trail. The namerings true,as the trail isverynarrow, tends tosit less thana footawayfromacliffoverashallowcreek,andisoccasionallyblockedbyboulders,forcingyoutoscalethecliffabitontraildetours.Beforeheadingoutonthetrail,besuretotakeamomenttoenjoytheGlade

CreekGristMill,arguablythemostphotographedsiteinWestVirginia.Builtin1976frompartsofoldermillsfoundalloverWestVirginia,itsdesignisbasedon the 1890 StoneyCreekGristMill. Themill is fully operational and offersparkguestsfreshlygroundbuckwheat,whole-wheatflour,andcornmealduringthesummermonthswhenitisopen.FromCabin#13,whichyoucanrentfromBabcockStatePark,itisalmosta

mile downhill to the official start of theNarrowGaugeTrail.Along the trail,MannsCreekprovidesthesoundtrackasyoutravelthroughabeautifulexampleofa typicalWestVirginiamountain forest,with secondaryhardwoodandpinetreespepperedamongrhododendronbushes.ThetrailendsbetweentheBabcockStateParkcampgroundsandthestables.

Trulya“narrow”trail,theNarrowGaugeTrailmakesforanexcitinghike,butmountainbikersshouldbeexperiencediftheywanttotacklethistrail.

DIRECTIONS

Toreachbothendsofthetrail,fromUSHwy.19,taketheUSHwy.60exitandheadeast for10miles toWVRoute41,headingsouth.The trailcanbeaccessedfromthecampground,whichis2milessouthofHwy.60atClifftop(thetrailbeginsontheserviceroadbetweenthecampgroundsandthestables).Thisentranceisopenonlyinthesummer.

Thetrailalsocanbeaccessedfromthemainparkentrance,alittlefarthersouthonWVRoute41,behindCabin#13.FollowthesignstoCabin#13from the entrance:Gobehind theGladeCreekGristMill and follow thatroad(OldSewellRoad)pastthecabinstotheofficialstartofthetrailattheforkofthecreek.Thetrailisdownhillfromthecabinstothecampground.

Contact: BabcockStateParkHC35,Box150Clifftop,WV25831(304)438-3004www.babcocksp.com

WESTVIRGINIANorthBendRailTrail

LocationHarrison,Doddridge,Ritchie,andWoodscountiesEndpointsParkersburgtoWolfSummitMileage

RoughnessIndex

3SurfaceCrushedstone,ballast,cinder,grass,gravel,dirtFor a weekend getaway filled with small-town charm, wildlife, and beautifulnaturalscenery,thereisnobetterplacethantheNorthBendRailTrail.TheNorthBendRailTrail isascenicexcursionalongpartof the5500-mile,

coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. Stretching nearly 70 miles fromInterstate 77 near Parkersburg to Wolf Summit, the trail travels through animpressive13tunnels,crosses36bridges,andpassesthroughanassortmentofstate,county,andlocalparks.Thoughit iseasilyaccessiblefrominterstates77and79andrunsparallel to

USRoute50, the trailpasses throughwildandnaturalareas.Youwill findanabundanceofwildlife,includingdeerandbeaver,andthefarmlandsurroundingthe small, rural communities that grew up along the railroad corridor provideprime bird-watching. The North Bend RailTrail’s many points of interest andhistory include the former Stage Coach Inn in Pennsboro, a marble factory,hand-blown glass factories, outlet stores, arts-and-crafts markets, fairs andfestivals,sitesoftrainrobberies,andlegendsoftunnelghosts.

TheoldBankofCairobuildingservesasthetrailsideofficeoftheNorthBendRailstoTrailsFoundation.

In the tumultuousyearsbefore theCivilWarandthecreationof thestateofWest Virginia, the rail corridor was constructed by the Baltimore and OhioRailroad between 1853 and 1857. Thirteen of the railroad’s original tunnelsremain.Thenumber10tunnel,westofEllenboro,is337feetlongandisa“raw”ornaturaltunnel,meaningitwasboredthroughsolidrock.Manyofthetunnelsarequitelongandrequireaflashlightorheadlamptosafelynavigatethem.The true gem of this trail is the stunning natural scenery. Beyond the

spectacularbridgesandtunnels,theundisturbedbeautyyouareexploringmakesyoufeelmoreliketheexplorersLewisandClarkethana21stcenturymountainbikerorhiker.Whilesafetyisalwaysaconcernwhilecycling,remembertokeepyour head up, too, or you may miss the numerous opportunities for wildlifeencounters–especiallythebountifuldeer.You’llalsoencounterothertrailusers,particularlynearthemanyquainttowns

alongthetrailthathavewhollyembracedtherailtrail,buildingeateriesthatwillsatisfyeventhehungriestofbikersandhikers.TownssuchasCairo,Pennsboro,andSalemhaveallhadrestaurantspopupnexttothetrail.Thelocalsarehappytoshareastoryoftheoldrailline,andthestaffswelcomeeventhesweatiestofcustomers.

DIRECTIONSTo reach Parkersburg trailhead, take Interstate 77 to the StauntonAve.

exitandturneastonWVRoute47.Takethefirstrightturn(about0.2milefrom interstate) onOldWVRoute 47. Continue about 0.7mile and turnrightonHappyValleyRoad.Travelapproximately0.4mileuntilyouseealargehouseontheleft.Immediatelyafterthestonewall(MillersLanding)is the North Bend RailTrail. Park on the gravel section opposite thetrailhead.To begin atWolf Summit, take USHwy. 50 to theWolf Summit exit

north.Thetrailcrossestheexit.

Contact: NorthBendRailTrailRoute1,Box221Cairo,WV26337(304)643-2931www.wvparks.com/northbendrailtrail

WESTVIRGINIAOtterCreekWildernessArea

LocationRandolphCountyEndpointsMonongahelaNationalForestMileage19

RoughnessIndex3SurfaceDirtThe Otter Creek Wilderness Area, located 10 miles northeast of Elkins, is ahiker’sparadise.Federallyprotectedsince1975,theareaprohibitstheuseofallvehicles,includingbikes,sohikersalonehaveaccesstotheOtterCreekdrainagearea,surroundingmountains,and20,000acresofundisturbedforest.Theextensivesystemfeaturesdozensoftrailsthroughoutthewildernessarea,

including three railtrails, which are historical remnants of the area’s onceboomingloggingindustry.Attemptshavebeenmadetokeeptheareaprimitive,sonobridgesorotherhuman structures canbe found.Beprepared togetwetwhilecrossinganynumberofstreams.Though a cairn marks each trail intersection, the trails themselves are not

well-marked.BesuretopickupamapoftheentiresystemattheNationalForestServiceofficeinElkins.

AswaterleechesfromthehillsidesintheOtterCreekWildernessArea,frigidmountaintemperaturescreatestalactitesofice.

OTTERCREEKTRAILYoumightnotguessthattheOtterCreekTrailisarailtrail.Builtonaturn-of-

the century timber-logging corridor, the trail follows Otter Creek for 11 veryruggedmiles.RunningfromoneendoftheMonongahelaNationalForest’sOtterCreekWildernessAreatotheother,theOtterCreekTrailservesasaspinetothewildernessarea’sextensivetrailsystem.

ThesoundofrushingOtterCreekisneverfarawayonthisrailtrail.

TheOtterCreekTrailoffersspectacularviewsandamoderatetochallenginghike.Youwill findyourself followinglargerockoutcropsandpeering throughtreesatroaringwaterfalls.Thereareanumberofstreamcrossingsalongitspath

and, depending on the season, some are quite significant, with fast, rushingwater.With the exception of a very long, suspended footbridge over the DryForktributaryoftheCheatRivertowardtheendofthetrail,therearenobridgestoaidyourstreamcrossings.Like all of the trails in theOtterCreekWildernessArea, attentionhasbeen

giventokeepingthistrailveryprimitive.Therearenosignsorblazes.However,confusingsectionsaremarkedwithstonecairns.Thisrailtrailisnotforthefaintofheart,butitisworththehikeifyouareupforachallenge.

DIRECTIONSFromElkinstothesoutherntrailhead, takeUSHwy.33toreachForest

ServiceRoad91(AlpenaGap)andturnleft.Followtheroaduntilyouseesignsforthetrailhead.FromParsons to thenorthern trailhead, takeWVRoute72south.Look

fortrailheadsignsalongtheDryForkRiver;theturnwillbeonyourright.

GREENMOUNTAINTRAILThis scenic hike accesses some of the most remote areas of Otter Creek

Wilderness. Stretching 4 miles, this trail offers stunning views of the remoteWestVirginiabackcountryandhaslesstrafficthanothertrailsintheregiondueto its difficult accessibility. The Green Mountain Trail is great for either anovernightbackpackingtriporalongandchallengingdayhike.Althoughthetrail itselfis4mileslong,thereissomeconsiderablehikingto

gettothestartofthetrail.ThetrailcanbestbeaccessedbyhikinginfromtheBigSpringGaptrailheadoreitheroftheOtterCreektrailheads.The trail starts by climbing steeply out of the Otter Creek valley, which

providesbreathtakingviewsof thesurroundingarea. It levelsoutafterabout2milesandfollowsahighmountainplateaubeforereachingthejunctionwiththePossessionCampTrailafter2.7miles.Thetrailconcludeswitha1.3-mileascentthroughthicklywoodedbrushatthetopofGreenMountain.TheendofthetrailismarkedbyacairnindicatingthestartoftheShaversMountainTrail.

DIRECTIONS

ToreachBigSpringGaptrailhead,fromParsons,take1stStreetnorthtoBillingsAve.andturnrightontoBillings.BillingsturnsintoCountyRoad219. Turn right on Forest Service Road 701 and follow the signs to the

trailhead,whichwillbeontheleft.

TheoldbermoftherailroadbedisstillvisiblethroughablanketofsnowontheGreenMountainTrail.

MOORERUNTRAILThetrailheadforthe4-mileMooreRunTrailismarkedsimplywithaposted

signalongForestServiceRoad324.Youmayneedtolookcloselyforthetrail

itself, as the overgrowth of rhododendron around the trailhead can obscure it.However,onceyoufindthetrailnearthecreekbed,itiseasytofollowtheentireway.ThetrailbeginsbyfollowingMooreRun(acreek)forabout2miles.Youwill

passthroughtwohighmountainmeadowsandcrossseveralsmallstreams.After2miles,asthetrailstartstosteadilydescenddownMcGowanMountaintowardOtterCreek,youwillbetreatedtothesightsandsoundsofthisremoteregion.ListenfortherushingrapidsofOtterCreekfarbelow.Theviewoverthevalleyand of the mountains in the distance is breathtaking. Also watch for variousformsofwildlife,includingsmallmammalsandbirdsthatarefoundthroughoutthisentirewildernessarea.The trail terminates at the valley floor, where it meets another railtrail, the

OtterCreekTrail,andthePossessionCampTrail.Toreachbothofthesetrails,youmustcrosstheratherwideOtterCreek,sohikeupyourpantlegsandplungein—carefully!—if you plan to continue your trail adventure on the oppositeshore.

DIRECTIONSFrom Parsons, take County Road 219 south, and turn left on County

Road39inthetownofPorterwood.ContinuetothetownofPheasantRunandturnleftonForestServiceRoad828.TurnrightonForestServiceRoad701 and then turn right on Forest ServiceRoad 324, heading south. Thetrailhead,thoughhardtospot,isontheleft.

Contact:MonongahelaNationalForestHeadquarters200SycamoreStreetElkins,WV26241(304)636-1800www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/index.shtml

WESTVIRGINIASenecaCreekTrail

LocationPendletonCountyEndpointMonongahelaNationalForestMileage5

RoughnessIndex3SurfaceDirtLocated in the Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the MonongahelaNationalForest–ahotspot formountainbiking and rock climbing—theSenecaCreekTrailisascenicfeastofstreams,meadows,forest,andwaterfalls.Unlikeother railtrails in the national forest, this out-and-back route showscharacteristics typical of former railroad corridors: It is flat and provides arelativelysteady,easyhikeandisdoablewithamountainbike.Thetrailispartofthe70-mileSpruceKnob/SenecaCreekBackcountryTrail

System.At4863feet,SpruceKnobisWestVirginia’shighestpeak.Whileallofthe interconnecting trails are well-marked with blue diamond blazes, do notexpecttheadditional65milesofhikingtobesogentle.The trail follows Seneca Creek, a fast-flowing, spring-fedmountain stream

whoseclean,crystalwatercanbeheardandseennearlyeverywherealong thetrail.Fromthe trailhead,you’ll immediatelypass throughmeadowsandsprucegroves. A few miles in, you will encounter hardwoods. A canopy of maple,beech,birch,andcherrycreateanaturaltunnel,offeringawidearrayofcolorinthefallandshadeinthesummer.

TheSenecaCreekTrailmandatesastreamcrossing,butit’sworthitfortheamazingtrailexperiencethatendsatUpperSenecaCreekFalls.

Multiplecreekcrossingsdotthistrail,andtherearenofootbridges,socomepreparedtogetyourfeetwet.Nearthetrail’send,thelast—andmostrewarding—creek crossing brings you to the 30-foot Upper Seneca Creek Falls. The

spectacularfallsarethehighestonSenecaCreekandofferadramaticfinaletothistrail.

DIRECTIONSFromElkins,takeUSHwy.33southtoBrieryGapRoad(CountyRoad

33)andturnright.Followitapproximately2.5milesuntilyoureachForestService Road 112 (this steep, narrow, gravel road is not maintained inwinter) and turn right. Drive approximately 11miles until you reach thetrailheadonyourright.Limitedparkingisavailable.

Contact: MonongahelaNationalForestHeadquarters200SycamoreStreetElkins,WV26241(304)636-1800www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/index.shtml

WESTVIRGINIASouthProngTrail

LocationRandolphandPendletoncountiesEndpointForestServiceRoad19inMonongahelaNationalForestMileage

RoughnessIndex

3SurfaceDirtTheSouthProngTrailisaremote,ruggedrailtrailthatoffersamoderate,thoughsometimesquitehilly,hike.Therearetwoverydistinctsectionsofthistrail;onesectionisboggy,whiletheotherissteepandforested.Traversing theFlatrockPlains andRoaringPlainsofMonongahelaNational

Forest,thistrailfollowsoldloggingcorridorsforpartofitsroute.Thewesternendfollowsapproximately3milesofterracedrailbedsalongaflatcorridorforashortwhilebeforeheadinguphill,ordownhill, to thenext terraceof railbeds,locatedalmostvertically15to25feetbeloworaboveyou.

Rhododendrongroveslinethistrail.

TheSouthProngTrailisblazedwithbluediamonds,butbecarefulifyouarestartingfromtheeasternend.Theblazesmarkingtheturnoffpointsthroughtheterracedrailbedscanbeeasytooverlook.Thetrailreachesanelevationof4130feetandthenlevelsoff,followingthe

eastern continental divide. Near themidsection, youwill cross Forest ServiceRoad70,aquietroad,andenterintodifferentterrain—alandscapethatisrockyandwetwithbeautifulflora.Redsprucearereclaimingtheoncedeforestedarea,

while azaleas, blueberries, rhododendron (West Virginia’s state flower), andthicketsofmountainlaurelsurroundyou.Toturnyourout-and-back trip intoa loop trail,considerparkingyourcarat

thewestern trailhead and following the trail east. Once you’ve completed thehike,walkwestalongquietForestServiceRoad19for1.5miles.Thiswilltakeyoufromtheeasterntrailheadbacktothewesterntrailhead,whereyoucanclosetheloop.

DIRECTIONSFromElkins,takeUSHwy.33/WVRoute55easttoWVRoute32and

turnleft,nowheadingnorthtowardCannonValleyResortStatePark.Turnright onto County Road 32 and continue until the road dead-ends intoCountyRoad45.TurnrighthereandcrossoverRedCreek.Thisroadturnsinto Forest Service Road 19, a steep, narrow, gravel road. Be carefulnavigating it. Go approximately 1 mile and you will see the SouthProng/Boar’s Nest trailheads. Turn right into small parking area. This isnearthewestendofthetrail.To reach the east end, continueonForestServiceRoad19 another 1.5

milesuntilyoureachasmalltrailheadwithparking.

WESTVIRGINIAThurmondMindenTrail

LocationFayetteCountyEndpointsThurmondtoMindenMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceGravel,dirtWithbreathtakingscenery,numerousbridges,andseveralimpressiveoverlooks,itisnowonderthatthewide,well-maintainedThurmondMindenTrailisoneofthemostpopulartrailsinNewRiverGorgeNationalRiver.ThetrailtracestheArbuckleBranchrailroadcorridoralongthebanksofthree

rushingwaterways from the oldmining community ofMinden to the historicrailroad town of Thurmond. Though theArbuckle Branch, built in 1906,wasabandonedlongago,youcanstillseeevidenceofcoalminingalongthisroute.ThetrailbeginsalongscenicArbuckleCreekandfollowstheragingwaterof

this tributarytoitsconfluencewiththeNewRiver.Nearthebanksof theNewRiver,besure tostopat theoverlookforan incredibleviewof theNewRiverandanactiverailroadline.Afterabrief journeyalongtheNewRiver, thetrailheadssouthalongthequietbanksofDunloupCreek.Thetrailendsataparkinglotnearapopularfishinghole.

TheThurmondMindenTrailisanimpressivelymaintainedrailtrailwithbeautifulviewsfromthisbridge.

WhiletheThurmondMindenTrailprovidesanexcellentpathforbicyclingand

hiking,bikersbeware:Asetofstairsbuiltaroundtheremainsofarockslidecanhinder your journey if you are unable to carry your bike up and down thewoodensteps.

DIRECTIONSToaccesstheThurmondtrailhead,headnorthfromBeckleyonUSHwy.

19.TaketheGlenJean-ThurmondexitandturnleftontoWVRoute25.Goa half mile to Glen Jean, following the signs for the ThurmondMindenTrail,located5milesoutsideofGlenJeanoffRoute25.ToreachtheMindentrailheadfromBeckley,headnorthonUSRoute19.

TaketheOakHill/MainStreetexitandturnrightontoEastMainStreetatthe endof the ramp.Turn left atMindenRoad and follow it for 2miles.TakearightacrossasmallbridgetotheMindentrailhead.

Contact: NewRiverGorgeNationalRiverPOBox246GlenJean,WV25846(304)465-0508www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/thurmondminden_trail.htm

WESTVIRGINIAWestForkRiverTrail

LocationHarrisonandMarioncountiesEndpointsShinnstontoFairmontMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstone,cinder,gravelWestVirginia’sWestForkRiverTrailprovidesasnapshotofsomeofthemostbeautiful scenery in this region. The trail’s path was once used by the far-reachingBaltimore&OhioRailroadtodelivercoal.Today’splanshowever,aretotransportpeopleandlinkthisrailtrailtotheAmericanDiscoveryTrail.ShortlyafteritsstartinpicturesqueShinnston,thetrailreachesripplingWest

ForkRiverand its cliffsand forests.Close to theHarrisonandMarioncountyborder,youwillpassanhistoricalrailroadbridgethatspanstheriver.Thetrailtravels through somewooded passages, and then it opens up to a parkwherechildrenplaybaseballandsoftballandfishermanviefortheprizedcatchbelowthedam.Afewmilesbeyondthat,youcrossarailroadbridgeandarereturnedtothewoodedhavenofthetrail.AtthetownofNorway,youhavetheoptionofgoinganotherhalfmileontoa

stunningwoodenbridge,oryoucancontinuepast thebridge to theMaryLouRettonYouthPark,whichoffersrecreationalfields,parking,restrooms,andtheWestVirginiaMiners’Memorial.Paycloseattentionfortheturnoffforthepark:As you head toward the town of Fairmont, the turnoff is on the right. Afterturning off the trail, turn left to reach the park on the paved road (unmarkedCounty Road 56/6), and then take a quick right uphill on unmarked NorwayRoadthroughthelittletownofNorway.

CommunityamenitiessuchastheSueAnnMillerTrailheadaddtotheconvenienceoftheWestForkRiverTrail.

DIRECTIONS

The starting point in Shinnston is accessible fromUSHwy. 19 on thesouthernendoftown.ToreachShinnstonfromtheShinnston/SaltwellRoadexit off Interstate 79, turn left (west) and proceed a quarter mile to theExxonstation.TurnleftonSaltwellRoad(WVRoute131)andfollowthisabout 7 miles to Hwy. 19 in Shinnston. Turn right onto Hwy. 19 (PikeStreet) and drive six blocks. Turn left on Mahlon Street at St. Ann’s

Catholic Church, before the bridge across the West Fork River. Go oneblock and park on the street. The trail begins under theHwy. 19 bridge.FutureplanscallforatrailheadparkinglottobebuiltalongHwy.19.Toreach thenorthern terminus inFairmontfromtheUSHwy.250exit

(exit132)off Interstate79,gonorthonHwy.250.At thePizzaHut, turnleft and followMaryLouRettonDrive toMaryLouRettonYouth Park.Park here and walk or ride to the top of the driveway. Follow signsapproximately1mileonNorwayRoadtothetrail.Atthetrail,turnlefttogointhedirectionofShinnston.

Contact:MarionCountyParkandRecreationCommission316MonroeStreetFairmont,WV26554(304)363-7037www.mcparc.com

WESTVIRGINIAWestForkTrail

LocationRandolphCountyEndpointsGladytoDurbinMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceCrushedstone,ballast,gravelTheWestForkTrail isapleasant21.7-mile trail thatsnakes itsway througharemotemountainsettingandfollowstheWestForkRiverformostofitsroute.The soothing rumble of the river complements the trail’s serene environment.Thisisagreatpathforbiking,butthesurfaceisprimarilyballastleftoverfromtherailcorridor,soleaveyourroadbikeathome.The trail begins in the small community of Glady. Even though the trail

appearstobeflat,youwillfindyourselfonagentledeclineasthetrailfollowstheriverdownstreamfromGlady.For thefirst5miles, the trail takesahigherrouteabovethewesternsideoftheriverandpopsinandoutofsmallgrovesofconifers,offeringgreatviewsofthesurroundinghills.Thetrail thenlevelsoutwith theriverandtravels theremaining17miles to

the town of Durbin following the river southward. Meandering through themountains, the trail and the river make sweeping 180-degree turns through atightvalleysurroundedbysteephillsides.TheWest ForkRiver is a popular fishing spot, and you are bound to see a

number of anglers along the way. The trail comes to an end in the town ofDurbin,aquietAppalachiantownthathaswonderfullittlelunchspotsandaniceMain Street corridor. There is a bonus half-mile railtrail, the Widney ParkRailTrail,whichcanbeaccessedrightindowntownDurbin.

ThistrailcurvesalongtheWestForkRiver,negotiatingthesnugturnsthroughthehillsandvalley.

DIRECTIONS

To reach thenorthern trailhead fromElkins, takeUSHwy.33east andmake a right onto County Road 27 (Glady Road). Follow it forapproximately 10 miles to the town of Glady. When you come to theintersectionofGladyandElliotsroads,continuestraightonGladythroughthestopsignandfollowtheroadforapproximatelyaquartermiletowhereitdead-ends.Thetrailheadwillbedirectlyinfrontofyou.

ToreachthesoutherntrailheadfromElkins,takeUSHwy.219southtoHuttonsville.Merge ontoUSHwy. 250 going south and follow it all theway toDurbin.Lookfor the trailheadon the leftaboutamilebeforeyoureachthetown.

WESTVIRGINIAWhitmeadowRidgeTrail

LocationRandolphCountyEndpointsForestServiceRoad92toShaversFork,MonongahelaNationalForestMileage

RoughnessIndex

2SurfaceDirtLocatedintheheartofWestVirginia,theWhitmeadowRidgeTrailisalsointhecenteroftheMonongahelaNationalPark.OtherwiseknownastheWhitmeadowHuntersAccessTrail(noticethebulletholesinthetrailsigns),thisbeautifultrailfollows the ridgeline of CheatMountain 4.7miles to Shavers Fork. It travelsthroughasecondaryforestofpines,oaks,andseveraldifferentfernspecies.There is about a 1000-foot descent from the beginning off Forest Service

Road92totheend.ThisdescentisnotgradualuntilitreachestheoldrailroadbednearShaversFork.ThetrailparallelsShaversForkthrougharhododendronforestuntilitreachestheend,whereShaversForkmeetsWhitmeadowRun.Theparking area is next to a catch-and-release fishing hole that is also perfect forpicnics,thoughtherearenofacilities.

TheWhitmeadowRidgeTrailoffersalovelywalkthroughsecondarypineandoakforests.

The drive to the trail is also beautiful. The highway route from Elkins toForest Service Road 92 is known as the Cheat Mountain Backway, a scenichighway thatpasses the siteof theCheatMountainSummitFortwhereUnionTroopscampedinthesummerof1861.Therearenowinterpretivesignsaroundthegroundstotellthestorytovisitors.

DIRECTIONS

From Elkins, take US Hwy. 219 south toward Huttonsville. After youdrive throughHuttonsville, takeUSHwy. 250/WVRoute 92 south for 7miles towardDurbin.TurnleftontoForestServiceRoad92.Lookfor thenorthwest trailhead about 1.3 miles north after you cross Forest ServiceRoad47.ToaccessthesoutheasttrailheadfromForestServiceRoad92,turnright

ontoForestServiceRoad47anddrivetoitsend.HereyouwillfindalargeparkinglotnexttoShaversFork.Bothendsofthetrailaresigned.

StaffPicksPopularRailTrails

WhenRailsto-TrailsConservancystaffmembersscouredtheMid-Atlanticforgreat railtrails, these were the ones that stood out as their favorites. Short orlong,cityorcountry,thesearerailtrailsnottomiss.DelawareJunctionandBreakwaterTrailMarylandAlleghenyHighlandsTrailMarylandCapitalCrescentTrailNumberNineTrollyLineWesternMarylandRailTrailVirginiaDevilsForkLoopTrailHuckleberryTrailNewRiverTrailStateParkVirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrailWashingtonandOldDominionRailroadRegionalParkWestVirginiaAlleghenyHighlandsTrailCountyLineTrailGladeCreekTrailGreenbrierRiverTrailNarrowGaugeTrailOtterCreekWildernessArea

ForHistoryBuffsThese railtrailsdon’t justchallengeyourbody, theyengageyourmind.Pick

upsomehistoricalfactsonthesetrails.DelawareTri-ValleyTrailMarylandBaltimoreandAnnapolisTrail'MA&PAHeritageTrailVirginiaHangingRockBattlefieldTrailStauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail

WildernessRoadTrailWestVirginiaGreenbrierRiverTrail

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSEachof the trails inRailTrails:Mid-AtlanticwaspersonallyvisitedbyRTC

staff.Maps,photos,and traildescriptionsareasaccurateaspossible thanks totheworkofthefollowingcontributors:BarbaraRichey

BenCarterBillyFields

ChristineSheeranCindyDickersonEltonClark

FranzGimmlerFrederickSchaedtler

GeneOligGrahamStrohHeatherDeutschJenniferKalebaJessicaLeasJessicaTumpKellyCornellLoriliToth

MarianneFowlerMeghanTaylorRyanPhillipsSarahShipley

Railsto-TrailsConservancywouldliketogivespecialthankstotheTawaniFoundationandAmericanExpressCompanyfortheirgeneroussupportthathelpedmakethisguidebookpossible.

BecomeamemberofRailsto-TrailsConservancyAsthenation’sleaderinhelpingcommunitiestransformunusedrailroadcorridorintomultiusetrails,Railsto-TrailsConservancy(RTC)dependsonthesupportofitsmembersanddonorstocreateaccesstohealthyoutdoorexperiences.YoucanhelpsecurethefutureofrailtrailsandenhanceAmerica’scommunitiesandcountrysidebybecomingamemberofRailsto-TrailsConservancytoday.Yourdonationswillhelpsupportprograms,projectsandservicesthathavehelpedputmorethan13,000railtrailmilesontheground.

Everyday,RTCprovidesvitaltechnicalassistancetocommunitiesthroughoutthecountry,advocatesfortrail-friendlypoliciesatthelocal,stateandnationallevel,promotesthebenefitsofrailtrailsanddefendsrailtraillawsinthecourts.JoinRTCin“inspiringmovement”andreceivethefollowingbenefits:

1. New member welcome materials including Destination RailTrails, asamplerofsomeofthenation’sfinesttrails

2. AsubscriptiontoRTC’squarterlymagazine,RailstoTrails.3. Discountsonpublications,apparelandothermerchandiseincludingRTC’s

popularrailtrailguidebooks.4. The satisfaction of knowing that your dollars are helping to create a

nationwidenetworkoftrails.

Membershipbenefitsstartatjust$18,butadditionalcontributionsaregladlyaccepted.Joinonlineatwww.railstotrails.org

JoinbymailbysendingyourcontributiontoRailsto-TrailsConservancy,Attention:Membership,110017thSt.NW,10thFloor,Washington,DC20036.Joinbyphonebycalling1-866-202-9788.ContributionstoRailsto-TrailsConservancyaretaxdeductibletothefullextentofthelaw.

TableofContentsFrontCoverTitlePageCopyrightPageAboutRailsto-TrailsConservancyForewordContentsMid-AtlanticStatesMapIntroductionHowtoUseThisBookDELAWARE

1JamesF.HallTrail2JunctionandBreakwaterTrail113Tri-ValleyTrail

MARYLAND4AlleghenyHighlandsTrailMaryland5BaltimoreandAnnapolisTrail6CapitalCrescentTrail7CollegeParkTrolleyLineTrail8CrossIslandTrail9GoldmineLoopTrail10LowerSusquehanna11MA&PAHeritageTrail12NorthernCentralRailroadTrail13NumberNineTrollyLine14PatuxentBranchTrail15PointLookoutRailroadTrail16SavageMillTrail17WesternMarylandRailTrail

VIRGINIA18ChessieNatureTrail19DevilsForkLoopTrail20GuestRiverGorgeTrail21HangingRockBattlefieldTrail22HuckleberryTrail23JamesRiverHeritageTrail

24LakeAccotinkTrail25LittleStonyNationalRecreationTrail26NewRiverTrailStatePark27PhillipsCreekLoopTrail28RailroadFordTrail29RichmondandDanvilleRailTrail30RiverwalkTrail31StauntonRiverBattlefieldRailTrail32VirginiaCreeperNationalRecreationTrail33WashingtonandOldDominionRailroad34WildernessRoadTrail

WESTVIRGINIA35AlleghenyHighlandsTrail36BarnumRailTrail37BlackwaterCanyonTrail38BrooklyntoSouthsideJunctionTrail39CountyLineTrail40CranberryTri-RiversRailTrail41EastForkTrail42FlatrockRunTrail43GladeCreekTrail44GreaterWheelingTrail45GreenbrierRiverTrail46LimerockTrail47MorgantownRailTrailSystem48NarrowGaugeTrail49NorthBendRailTrail50OtterCreekWildernessArea51SenecaCreekTrail52SouthProngTrail53ThurmondMindenTrail54WestForkRiverTrail55WestForkTrail56WhitmeadowRidgeTrail

Appendix:StaffPicksAcknowledgmentsBecomeamemberofRailsto-TrailsConservancyBackCover

rail-trails mid-atlantic: delaware, maryland, virginia, washington dc and west virginia

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