In a state full of rail trails, the famed North Bend Rail Trail offers hikers, bikers, and equestrians one of the most unforgettable experiences ever. This almost 72-mile trail follows the grade of a railroad line that dates back over 150 years. Cut through the rugged hills by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the years prior to the Civil War, the trail winds through four counties from Parkersburg to Wolf Summit just west of Clarksburg. The rail line was in service for well over 100 years, but by the 1980s the railroad had abandoned it, and it was finally sold to the state of West Virginia, which began to turn it into the recreational opportunity it is today.

Today, the North Bend Rail Trail offers adventurers spectacular and pristine scenery and wildlife. Interspersed along the way are many points of interest: charming small towns, old abandoned buildings, and state and local parks.
fritomann / Tripadvisor
Most impressive are the trail’s 36 bridges, and the ten original tunnels along the route, many of which are hundreds of feet long and require a light to travel through. 
North Bend State Park Management / Tripadvisor
Among the most unforgettable landmarks along this trail is the 1,376 foot Silver Run Tunnel, purported to be haunted. Many sightings of the ghost of a young woman in a wedding dress have been reported, dating back to reports of train engineers over a hundred years ago.
Mike / Flickr

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Take a flashlight and enter it if you dare!
fritomann / Tripadvisor
Other less ghastly attractions await in quaint towns such as Cairo, Pennsboro, and Salem, which are full of restaurants, shops, and interesting history - much of it related to the railroad days.
Rebecca Benningtom / Google Maps
The old train depot at the trailhead in Pennsboro dates back to the 1880s. Once in disrepair, it was recently restored by the efforts of local citizens and now is used as a museum and community center.
Jim L / Google Maps
Also along the trail you will pass North Bend State Park, a beautiful park nestled in a bend of the North Fork of the Hughes River. Along with boating on the lake and hiking, this park offers camping and cabins.
North Bend State Park Management / Tripadvisor

This only scratches the surface of the beautiful, haunting, and historic things you’ll see on the North Bend Rail Trail. Consult a map on the trail website and find a section to explore. Or, if you’re especially adventurous, set aside a few days to travel the whole trail end to end! Note: various sections of the trail are currently closed for repairs. Also, be sure to check the Facebook page for trail conditions, as they can vary greatly with season and weather.

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North Bend Rail Trail, N Bend Rail Trail, West Virginia 26456, USA