These 6 West Virginia Spots Make the Mountain State A Mountain Biker’s Paradise
West Virginia is the only state completely covered in the Appalachian Mountain Range, which makes way for thrilling mountain biking. With more trails becoming staple destinations on avid mountain bikers’ maps, the Mountain State is receiving more international recognition for its twisty turns.
Now is a great time to load up your bike rack, pack your helmet and make a trip to Almost Heaven and explore these trails for yourself!
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, West Virginia
Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Pocahontas County is the epitome of world-class mountain biking. Home to the 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 UCI World Cup, this mountain bike park has nearly everything you could imagine when it comes to terrain and scenery. Blaze your bike on nearly 40 trails and experience 1,500 feet of vertical drop, which won high marks from experts at Bike Magazine. Snowshoe is perfect for new riders to gain experience through West Virginia’s own International Mountain Biking Silver Level Association Ride Center.
Meeks Mountain Trails
Hurricane, West Virginia
Hurricane City Park in Putnam County is another perfect mountain biking destination, and Meeks Mountain Trails is no exception. Explore a trail system that welcomes mountain bikers as well as hikers and runners. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails are abundant, so you are never short on difficulty options. The trailhead is located at Hurricane City Park behind the C&O Railroad Depot.
Arrowhead Bike Farm
Fayette County, West Virginia
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is praised for its whitewater rafting, kayaking and rock climbing, but did you know about its International Mountain Bicycling Association trail system? Just four miles outside of Fayetteville in Fayette County is Arrowhead Bike Farm. With nearly 60 miles of biking trails, Arrowhead also offers mountain bike rentals, bike programs, accessory shopping, camping and delicious food at The Handle Bar + Kitchen.
Mountwood Park
Waverly, West Virginia
The Mid-Ohio Valley is full of outdoor adventures, and Mountwood Park near Parkersburg is an easy choice for avid mountain bikers looking for single-track networks. The park possesses nearly 30 miles of hiking and single-track biking trails. Mountwood Park is also home to one of the longest-running and best-attended races in the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association: Challenge at Mountwood.
Kanawha State Forest
Charleston, West Virginia
Explore more than 30 miles of mountain biking trails carved throughout Kanawha State Forest in Kanawha County. Any of the forest service roads make a great starting point for beginner mountain bikers, but more experienced riders can let their adrenaline thrive at the single-track ride Black Bear Mountain Trail. With this 9,300-acre forest being as serene as it is, you would never guess that it’s less than ten miles away from the state’s capital city, Charleston.
Charles Fork Lake
Spencer, West Virginia
The 21 miles of trails at Charles Fork Lake in Roane County crisscross roughly 1,600 acres of municipal land. This includes a 70-acre reservoir that’s famous for musky, bass and walleye fishing. For the mountain pros, Charles Fork Lake also hosts the Tour de Lake Mountain Bike Race, which is one of the most popular biking events in the WV Mountain Biking Association. For mountain bikers who wish to stick around longer, Charles Fork Lake features camping with electric hookups and non-electric sites.
Up and Down the Rolling Hills of #AlmostHeaven
Still have some energy to spare? You can easily plan more trips around your two-wheeled adventures with the help of our free West Virginia Vacation Guide.
More Mountain Biking AdventuresThis post was last updated on March 28, 2024