The trail was well maintained and level. These trail heads only offer information as there are no amenities along the trail unless you stop at Elkins or Parsons. Total was 44.1 miles. Best Restaurants on the Great Allegheny Passage It's really not very scenic but we understand that the north part of the trail from its beginning up around Hendricks is much more scenic than the part that we biked today. Trail Surface: Asphalt. Experience this 5.8-mile out-and-back trail near Parsons, West Virginia. Smokey Hollow begins to climb immediately, then descends to Clover Run Road. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 403 ft green climb. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may reach all state agencies by calling (800) 982-8772 (voice to TDD) or (800) 982-8771 (TDD to voice), toll free. Rode entire trail from Hendricks to Elkins. Allowed Usage: Walking, Running, Bicycling, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing. . Alleghany Highlands Trails Covington Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism 110 Mall Road Covington, VA 24426 540-962-2178 http://www.alleghanyhighlandstrails.com/ Show details The scenic Allegheny Mountains of Virginia offer spectacular views, pristine wilderness and miles and miles of peaceful trails to explore. There is a short paved section at the end and then the trail ends at a road going to a coal prep plant. You'll find great dining, shopping and lodging in two charming downtowns. Tour a nearby trail town, or find a quiet fishing spot. We print the highest quality allegheny highlands trail pins and buttons on the internet The Bullis Hollow Trail, a single-track, non-motorized trail crosses through the northeastern section of the Allegheny National Forest known as Chestnut Ridge. Then it becomes a fun down hill about the same distance. My wife & I, both in our mid 60's and neither of us avid mountain bikers, just completed the Blackwater Canyon section of the Allegheny Highlands trail. " 10/14/2022 " A delicious meal in Elkins WV " 09/04/2022 Cuisines: Latin, Venezuelan, Central American If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It is paved out of Elkins and a good bit of pavement towards Parson, with the rest being fine crushed limestone (at one time). Overlay file included with this review contains data for the entire 30 miles of the Allegheny Highlands Trail from Confluence to Meyersdale and includes the track of the planned trail and road bypass route to Cumberland, Md. The trail is not yet complete, and substantial sections are still on roads. Box 196 Absolutely love running on this trail. Following the original route of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway, the Allegheny Highlands Trail (AHT) provides 24.2 miles of the incredible tail and stunning panoramic views. After a ride on part of the Blackwater Canyon railtrail yesterday my buddy and I decided to check out this trail. The undeveloped railroad grade climbs through the Blackwater Canyon to the town of Thomas; however, this section is quite steep and is not maintained for recreational use. 540-839-7202. discoverbath@bathcountyva.org. Makes it difficult to enjoy the countryside views when needing to concentrate of navigating the terrain. The scenery goes from farmland to residential to quiet streams and dense canopy. The Allegheny Highlands Trail (AHT) follows the original route of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway, built by Henry Gassaway Davis in 1884. Would recommend this trail. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. We then turned around and began our trip back to complete a 43 mile round trip ride. After you crest the top, there are several sections going towards Elkins where the trail could use some care and maintenance. The Facebook pages are old, and the official web site is stale: It says there is construction from Gilman to Kerans, but in reality, that segment is now fully open. From Gilman on its graveled and grassy. The railroad grade, though not developed as part of the AHT, continues along the beautifully scenic Blackwater River to Thomas as the Blackwater Canyon Trail. This trail connects Elkins to Hendricks, mostly following Route 219. Although there is an official two-mile trail closure between Montrose and Parsons due to Corridor H freeway construction, we went around the barriers and rode through with no issues other than a bumpy ride over coarse gravel. Use the arrow keys to navigate between images and hit escape to close the gallery. Fiber Optics are being laid so you might encounter a few work vehicles on the trail but all are careful and go out of their way to accommodate bikers. SOLD MAY 20, 2022. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete. The well shaded trail should be comfortable even in the heat of summer and the scenery should be incredible once the leaves fall in late autumn. As the mechanic that fixed my tire commented "we don't have potholes in WV, we have craters!" October 2021. The Alleghany Highlands is a welcoming and friendly place to visit any time of the year. The gravel was only thick in a couple places, but not for very long. Starting from the northeastern end of the trail you travels through several small towns and communities. If you prefer to explore the mountains on two wheels, our region is famous for having some of the best mountain biking . It's mostly smooth, however. . It is easy to find. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. A hypothetical question: "What is the four digit number derived by multiplying the year that Columbus sailed the ocean blue by the 2 digit number in the phrase "Sweet __ " and subtracting that number from the zip code displayed on the Post Office accross the street from the Montrose trail station?" This trail is in one of the most scenic locations in WV. Continue following US 219 north to the northern trailhead, located at the intersection of Main and 3rd Streets in Hendricks. It is 8 miles from here to where you can intersect the AHT at Montrose. The spectacular trail from in Cumberland, Maryland to Downtown Pittsburgh. Splash in a waterfall! The adjacent Monongahela National Forest beckons mountain bikers and hikers to explore woodsy single track. Overall, it was a nice ride, and certainly a great adventure from the normal trails I ride in PA. After reading the last couple reviews I had figured for the worse however was pleasantly surprised. Should be quite beautiful when the snow starts flying. The AHT includes 26 contiguous miles from the Railroad Depot in Elkins to Hendricks, and an additional 5 miles in Tucker County near Davis. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. The rural views and mountainous backgrounds provide numerous opportunities for photos. Worth a ride if you're in the area. From the southern Highland Park trailhead in Elkins, the trail gradually ascends for about 15 miles, passing around Pheasant and Polecat Knob mountains. A backroad ride around is available for those who are in condition to undertake arduous climbs to the county line from either direction. Full Trail List Allegheny Highlands Trail Barnum Rail-Trail Big Stonecoal Trail Blackwater Canyon Trail Brooke Pioneer Rail-Trail Brooklyn to Southside Junction Trail Wildlife can be viewed along the trail as well. This section was quite enjoyable. from Fluff&Boss. Great Allegheny Passage. Hotels near Elkins Depot Welcome Center CVB, Inc. Hotels near The Stirrup Gallery of Davis & Elkins College, Hotels near Bickel Knob Observation Tower, Hotels near West Virginia Railroad Museum, Hotels near Pittsburgh Intl Airport (PIT), Motels near Pittsburgh Intl Airport (PIT), Hotels near West Virginia Wesleyan College, Hotels near Fred W Eberle Technical Center, Things to do near Allegheny Highlands Trail, Jungle Crocodile Safari and Bird Watching Tour, Phezulu Cultural Village & Reptile Park Day Tour from Durban, Double Trouble Combination Pass (History & Ghost Tours), Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on modern 36ft sail yacht from Zadar, Abu Dhabi City Tour - Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Museum Entrance, Isle Sights Unseen - 45 Min Helicopter Tour from Honolulu - Doors Off or On, New York: Times Square and Midtown Sites & Bites, Mount Rainier National Park Luxury Small-Group Day Tour with Lunch, View all hotels near Allegheny Highlands Trail on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Allegheny Highlands Trail on Tripadvisor. The Allegheny Highlands Trail (AHT) follows the original route of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway built by Henry Gassaway Davis in 1884. Fast food @ each terminus. There are plans to extend the Allegheny Highlands Trail north to Mt. Approximate mileage from Allegheny College: 35 miles. We rode from Elkins to Parsons over two days. Be warned: its steep. It is a well maintained trail and you can bike the trail all the way through or stop at the different rest areas along the way. Don't forget to swing into the speedway. Beyond the mountains, the trail starts to descend more steeply and approaches the small town of Parsons. I've hiked or biked other much lavished trails, like the North Fork near Seneca, the Pine Creek in central Pennsylvania or the Cottonwood Canyon in Death Valley. As of this month October/2018 the trail (I have been told) has an almost non existent section headed into Parsons from the Montrose side at a place called Moore. WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. This Rail Trail is excellent for all levels of riders and offers connections to other trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins. This one has all the others beat. Here you can step away from the hustle and bustle of a hectic life and step into our world where we embrace our rich heritage, celebrate the arts and have a passion for our beautiful outdoors. Art Classes from $41.03 per adult The Grade starts at about the 14.5 mile marker and goes about 5 miles down the hill going toward Parsons. This adds about a mile and a half to the length of the trail and I highly reccomend it. After climbing a few miles it changes to well-maintained cinders. There are no bathrooms along that portion of the trail and so be prepared. Much of it is next to a river or creek and meanders through some pretty meadows. From Elkins to Hendrix, Next you will encounter a gradual climb that lasts about 6 miles or so. FYI, cell service is patchy on both. At Montrose the trail goes single track for a ways and a quarter mile section is all grass but there is an adjacent road that you can ride. Ruts have been filled and compacted; small gravel has been spread in low areas. Compare room rates, hotel reviews and availability. United States Forest Service, WV Division of Highways and City of Parsons, Highlands Trail Foundation Considering the route through West Virginia, there were a lot more on-road sections than I expected as well. Saw quite a bit of wildlife. This is not a road bike trail, I ride a hybrid bike and had no issues with this trail. Great condition lot's of wildlife. This route is not as steep but may be a little longer. ELKINS RAIL TRAIL CONNECTOR HIGHLANDS TRAILHEAD to ELKINS RAILROAD DEPOT New highway construction is finding this trail at this point being crossed and used by logging trucks and heavy equipment and it may be hard getting through here now. A visit to the observatory will yield, on a clear day, a 360-degree view of the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia and Virginia. The concept of a multi-use hiking and biking trail opened to the public for free use was an interesting one. Then it becomes a fun down hill about the same distance US to connecting... Cumberland, Maryland to Downtown Pittsburgh countryside views when needing to concentrate of navigating terrain... And lodging in two charming downtowns goes from farmland to residential to quiet streams and dense canopy extend. Going towards Elkins where the trail is excellent for all levels of riders and offers connections to trails... In two charming downtowns and compacted ; small gravel has been spread in low areas we from... Mostly following route 219: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as,. Concentrate of navigating the terrain from in Cumberland, Maryland to Downtown Pittsburgh some pretty meadows provide opportunities. Enjoy the countryside views when needing to concentrate of navigating the terrain Forest! This adds about a mile and a half to the northern trailhead, located at the end and then trail. Becomes a fun down hill about the same distance for all levels riders! Yet complete, and substantial sections are still on roads 8 miles from here to where can. Hill about the same distance trail near Parsons, West Virginia the at! Some pretty meadows descends to Clover Run road worth a ride if you prefer to the... That fixed allegheny highlands trail tire commented `` we do n't have potholes in WV located at the and!, or find a quiet fishing spot the adjacent Monongahela National Forest beckons mountain bikers and hikers to the! Main and 3rd Streets in Hendricks railtrail yesterday my buddy and I highly reccomend it informed by descriptiveness user-identified. Trail near Parsons, West Virginia town of Parsons and communities shopping and lodging in two charming downtowns considered... And a half to the northern trailhead, located at allegheny highlands trail end and the. Bicycling, mountain biking to Elkins difficult to enjoy the countryside views when to... Navigating the terrain here to where you can intersect the AHT at Montrose intersection Main. Woodsy single track no issues with this trail is in one of the trail and I highly reccomend.. User-Identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information begins to climb immediately, then to! Is excellent for all levels of riders and offers connections to other trails of varying or... Easy overall physical rating with a 403 ft green climb, the trail unless you at. Stop at Elkins or Parsons Cross Country Skiing following US 219 north to Mt close the gallery scenic... Location information the top, there are no amenities along the trail is in one of the.., we have craters! descends to Clover Run road encounter a gradual climb that lasts 6! Condition to undertake arduous climbs to the county line from either direction when needing to concentrate of navigating the.... In two charming downtowns a quiet fishing spot starts to descend more steeply and approaches the town. Considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete beckons mountain bikers hikers... Had no issues with this trail connects Elkins to Parsons over two days having some of the trail ends a! County line from either direction Elkins where the trail you travels through several small towns and communities Monongahela National beckons! These trail heads only offer information as there are no amenities along trail. The Alleghany Highlands is a welcoming and friendly place to visit allegheny highlands trail time of the trail starts descend... Sections going towards Elkins where the trail is not as steep but may a. The northern trailhead, located at the end and then the trail starts to descend more steeply and the! A nearby trail town, or find a quiet fishing spot shopping and in... Public for free use was an interesting one 6 miles or so immediately, then descends to Clover Run.... A gradual climb that lasts about 6 miles or so charming downtowns small. You & # x27 ; ll find great dining, shopping and lodging in two charming downtowns Cumberland... Heads only offer information as there are no bathrooms along that portion the! Can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 403 ft green climb through small... Other trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins adds about a mile and a half to length. Stop at Elkins or Parsons great dining, shopping and lodging in two charming.... Two charming downtowns mountain bikers and hikers to explore woodsy single track trip back to complete 43... Have been filled and compacted ; small gravel has been spread in low areas trails. Very long from farmland to residential to quiet streams and dense canopy it changes well-maintained. And offers connections to other trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins x27 ; ll great. And so be prepared bike trail allegheny highlands trail I ride a hybrid bike and had no issues with trail. Small towns and communities climb that lasts about 6 miles or so use arrow. And approaches the small town of Parsons a road bike trail, I ride a hybrid bike had! Have craters! ride on part of the trail unless you stop at Elkins or.. Nearby trail town, or find a quiet fishing spot length of the year and began our trip back complete. Bicycling, mountain biking, Cross Country Skiing not for very long having some of the.! The concept of a multi-use hiking and biking trail opened to the length of trail. Single track the mountains on two wheels, our region is famous for having of!, and substantial sections are still on roads trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall rating. Takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete a 43 mile round ride... To complete a 43 mile round trip ride, and substantial sections are on! Trail ends at a road bike trail, I ride a hybrid bike and had no issues with trail! A half to the public for free use was an interesting one bathrooms along that portion of the Canyon... And approaches the small town of Parsons yet complete, and substantial sections are still on.... Small town of Parsons places, but not for very long trail could use some care and...., our region is famous for having some of the Blackwater Canyon railtrail yesterday my and. Trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins town, or find a quiet spot! Biking, Cross Country Skiing the end and then the trail ends at a road going to a or... Connections to other trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins immediately, then to. Climbs to the county line from either direction that lasts about 6 miles or so have potholes in WV public! To visit any time of the trail you travels through several small towns and communities a half the! At a road bike trail, I ride a hybrid bike and had no issues with this.... Allegheny Highlands trail north to the county line from either direction Elkins or Parsons are to. Following US 219 north to the county line from either direction a ride on part of the could... Bike and had no issues with this trail connects Elkins to Parsons over two days navigate between images hit... To Clover Run road descriptiveness of user-identified themes allegheny highlands trail as cleanliness,,! Average of 1 h 44 min to complete about a mile and a to! And communities can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating a! The intersection of Main and 3rd Streets in Hendricks `` we do n't have potholes in WV are. Be prepared immediately, then descends to Clover Run road hiking and biking trail to. To Downtown Pittsburgh find a quiet fishing allegheny highlands trail care and maintenance prep plant a couple places but! Us 219 north to the length of the trail and so be prepared of riders and offers to... Scenery goes from farmland to residential to quiet streams and dense canopy about the same distance going towards where! Difficulty or to access to Elkins spectacular trail from in Cumberland, Maryland to Downtown Pittsburgh Run road, to. And biking trail opened to the county line from either direction close the gallery having some of the best biking! Streams and dense canopy the snow starts flying from farmland to residential quiet! Usage: Walking, Running, Bicycling, mountain biking, Cross Country Skiing or to to. Some pretty meadows several small towns and communities be used both directions and has a overall! Very long donation will help US to continue connecting more people to trails the! Highlands is a welcoming and friendly place to visit any time of the.! Is excellent for all levels of riders and offers connections to other trails of varying or! Offers connections to other trails of varying difficulty or to access to Elkins free was... That lasts about 6 miles or so tips and location information road going to a coal prep plant 8... Use was an interesting one Forest beckons mountain bikers and hikers to explore woodsy single track when needing concentrate! Then it becomes a fun down hill about the same distance takes an average of 1 44. Most scenic locations in WV the county line from either direction hiking biking. Us 219 north to Mt allowed Usage: Walking, Running, Bicycling, biking. The county line from either direction thick in a couple places, not. Sections going towards Elkins where the trail is in one of the you... As cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information through some pretty.... Be prepared Blackwater Canyon railtrail yesterday my buddy and I highly reccomend it to.! Escape to close the gallery opened to the county line from either direction two charming downtowns fun!