Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their nonfiction books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Learn more.
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The Elk River rail trail was not on our radar until we stopped for the night at a Harvest Hosts camping spot near Beckley, West Virginia. We were on our way home to Massachusetts after visiting grandboys in Tennessee. As we sat around the campfire next to our host’s riverside spot, they mentioned a rail trail alongside the Elk River that they had heard about.
The next morning we decided to see if we could find the trail and check how useable it was, hoping the weather would cooperate so we could spend some time exploring. It turned out that the Elk River Rail Trail is along the (not surprisingly) Elk River in West Virginia. The developed rail trail stretches seventy-three miles from Gassaway to Clendenin, West Viginia.
The river is the star of this show in this relatively remote area. The parking spot where we stopped, next to the rail trail, is also an access point for the river. We were able to find room to park our truck and travel camper. This has often not been the case when we have stopped at other rail trails on our travels.
The path is in great shape and the weather was perfect for an afternoon ride on our bike. We started near Frametown, West Virginia and pedaled about ten miles to the town of Duck. The trail hugs the Elk River, and offered beautiful water views for much of our ride.
Next to the trail were stacked numerous wooden ties, reminders that this was once an active rail line. We saw few other walkers or folks riding bikes during the two plus hours we pedaled alongside the waterway.
Steep hillsides climb away from the water and offer some interesting rock cuts along the way.
We visited in spring, and caught sight of one blooming flame azalea at the top of a rock cut. We had only previously seen the spectacularly colored shrub along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Although its range stretches from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, the solitary azalea seemed to be an outlier along the Elk River. We spotted no other similar azaleas anywhere else on the section of trail we explored.
While the stretch we traveled felt remote, nevertheless we encountered a series of benches next to the trail, inviting travelers to stop and take a rest. The AARP grant foundation provided the funding for the benches, along with the Elk River Trail foundation.
The packed stone dust trail made for easy pedaling and walking. Bridges in good condition span areas where streams have cut their way down to the river. Summer homes, camps along the river often had no clear point of access, other than beside or across the trail.
We felt lucky to have the time to explore this area and enjoy time on our bike. If you find yourself in the area, it’s worth making the time to stop and explore. Happy trails!
Marjorie
Marjorie Turner Hollman 