Greenbrier River Trail
Crushed-stone grades, bridges, two tunnels, riverside campsites, and gentle elevation make a long Appalachian corridor approachable by bicycle or on foot.
Artwork inspired by David Hunter Strother
The Greenbrier River Trail preserves the operating logic of its former Chesapeake & Ohio branch across 78 miles. Gentle grades, terrain-following curves, bridges, tunnels, mileposts, and recurring towns turn a riverside journey into a readable piece of transportation history as well as an approachable Appalachian route.
An out-and-back from Marlinton offers a manageable introduction, but the corridor changes character as distance and isolation accumulate. Plan by trail mile rather than road proximity, carry lights for the genuinely dark tunnels, and match water, repair gear, and weather preparation to the chosen segment. Through travel also depends on confirmed shuttles, trail conditions, and overnight arrangements because services and cell coverage are intermittent.
- Length
- 78 miles
- Surface
- Crushed limestone
- Origin
- Former C&O branch
Quick guide
- Easy introduction
- Ride or walk an out-and-back from Marlinton.
- Through-trip needs
- Shuttle, lights, repair kit, water, and current conditions.
Explore further
- Choose by milepost
- Plan endpoints around actual trail distance, not road distance.
- Carry lights
- The tunnels remain genuinely dark.
- Pack repairs
- Long quiet sections have few immediate services.
- Watch river weather
- Flooding and storm damage can alter segments.
Good to know
Cell service, water, food, and bicycle repair are not continuous. Verify trail notices and shuttle logistics; a rail-trail grade does not eliminate distance or remoteness.