Greenbrier River Trail

The Greenbrier River Trail is one of the great rail-trails of the eastern United States, a 78-mile multi-use path that follows the Greenbrier River through the stunning mountain scenery of southeastern West Virginia from Cass to Caldwell. Built on the former bed of the Greenbrier Division of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, the trail is remarkably flat and gentle by West Virginia standards, tracing the winding river through forested gorges, riverside meadows, small mountain communities and dramatic highland scenery.

Along the way, the trail passes through tunnels, over a historic swinging bridge, beside waterfalls and springs, and through the heart of some of the most beautiful and least-traveled country in the Mountain State. Managed as a West Virginia state park, it is beloved by hikers, cyclists, equestrians and paddlers who combine the trail with floats on the Greenbrier River. A premier long-distance trail experience in a magnificent mountain setting, the Greenbrier River Trail is a hidden gem of West Virginia outdoor recreation.

The Greenbrier River Trail offers 78 miles of multi-use trail for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and walking through magnificent mountain scenery, with many access points for day trips or multi-day journeys with camping at trail-side primitive sites. The gentle grade makes cycling accessible, and the river alongside invites swimming, fishing for trout and smallmouth bass, kayaking and canoe trips. Charming trail towns, historic sites, waterfalls and the dramatic mountain and river scenery reward the journey. The Greenbrier River Trail is a premier long-distance outdoor experience in southeastern West Virginia.

Spring and fall are the finest seasons on the trail — spring for wildflowers, high river for paddling, fresh green along the river corridor and mild weather, and fall for spectacular color through the mountain gorges and an excellent atmosphere in the trail towns. Summer is lush and warm, popular for cycling, fishing and river swimming. The trail’s river scenery and mountain backdrop reward visits throughout the warm seasons. Fall color in the forested gorges along the Greenbrier is especially beautiful, and the spring wildflower bloom along the riverside is a highlight.

The Greenbrier River Trail follows the bed of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway’s Greenbrier Division, built to carry timber and coal from the mountain communities of southeastern West Virginia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The railroad served the logging and agricultural communities along the river for decades before the route was abandoned and converted into a trail managed by the West Virginia State Parks system. The trail preserves the historic railroad infrastructure — tunnels, bridges, trestles and grade — now carrying recreationists through the same magnificent mountain corridor.

The Greenbrier River carved its valley through the folded Appalachian Mountains of southeastern West Virginia, cutting through layers of limestone, shale and sandstone that form the ridges and gorges along the trail. The gentle railroad grade follows the river’s natural valley bottom, and the tunnels bore through resistant ridge rock where the river bends close to the hillside. Springs emerge from the limestone along the trail, and the river’s winding course through the mountain terrain created the scenic gorges, rocky banks and wooded floodplains that make the trail beautiful.

The Greenbrier River corridor hosts white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, foxes, river otters, mink and a rich community of birds, including kingfishers, herons and waterfowl along the river, woodland songbirds, hawks and the raptors that ride the mountain ridges, while the Greenbrier supports a renowned fishery of native trout and smallmouth bass. The forested river corridor is an important wildlife travel route through the mountains. The trail offers excellent wildlife watching and birding through 78 miles of varied mountain and river habitat.

The Greenbrier River Trail corridor protects a long, continuous band of forested river habitat through the mountains of southeastern West Virginia, connecting ridges, gorges, floodplains, springs and the Greenbrier River in a varied and biologically rich landscape. The river’s limestone-fed springs, the native fishery, the forested corridor and the mountain backdrop support diverse plant and animal life. The trail preserves the river corridor from development and provides habitat connectivity through an important stretch of the Appalachian Mountains, sustaining the ecology of this beautiful mountain river.

The Greenbrier River Trail holds a beloved place in West Virginia outdoor culture as one of the Mountain State’s finest long-distance trail experiences — a gentle, beautiful corridor through the heart of Appalachian mountain country that once carried the products of the logging and coal era by rail and now carries hikers, cyclists and equestrians through the same timeless scenery. The small trail towns, the historic tunnels and bridges, and the Greenbrier River’s reputation as a pristine mountain stream make the trail a treasured and iconic piece of West Virginia heritage.

The Greenbrier River Trail runs 78 miles through Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties in southeastern West Virginia, from Cass (near the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park) in the north to Caldwell in the south, with numerous road crossings and access points at trail towns including Marlinton, Buckeye, Beard and others. The trail is free to use. It is managed by West Virginia State Parks and has primitive campsites along its length. Check West Virginia State Parks for trail maps, access points, camping information and conditions before visiting.

West Virginia State Parks manages the Greenbrier River Trail and its corridor, protecting the river, the forested banks and the historic railroad infrastructure. Visitors help by staying on the trail, packing out everything, using designated primitive campsites and following Leave No Trace, protecting the river’s water quality and its trout fishery, respecting wildlife and being bear-aware, and treating historic structures (tunnels, bridges) with care. Protecting the river corridor sustains both the ecology and the scenic and recreational value of this beloved 78-mile mountain trail.

The Greenbrier River Trail is generally gentle, but multi-day journeys on a remote trail require preparation — carry sufficient water and food, a first aid kit, and a trail map, as services are sparse between towns. The river is swift and cold, especially in spring; swim and paddle with caution and wear life jackets. Be bear-aware and store food properly. The tunnels are unlit; bring a light. Cycling the full trail is a long journey; plan your distance and campsite. Weather in the mountains can change; be ready with rain gear.

The trail is free to use; follow West Virginia State Parks rules. Camp only in designated primitive campsites along the trail. Pack out all trash; no facilities at most sites. Follow West Virginia fishing regulations and licensing for the Greenbrier River. Be bear-aware and store food properly. Pets must be controlled and waste picked up. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Respect the historic tunnels and bridges. Check West Virginia State Parks for current conditions, camping reservations and any trail closures before planning a trip.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and the town of Cass are at the trail’s northern end, with the Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Seneca State Forest and the Monongahela National Forest all within reach. The Greenbrier Valley, White Sulphur Springs and The Greenbrier resort are near the southern end. The trail anchors a premier outdoor and heritage region of southeastern West Virginia, paired beautifully with the Cass railroad, Snowshoe skiing, the Greenbrier resort and the wild highlands of the Potomac Highlands.

Cycle the full 78 miles as a two- or three-day point-to-point trip (with a car shuttle or outfitter shuttle), staying at the trail-side primitive campsites and stopping in Marlinton for supplies — or choose a day-ride from any of the many access points. Bring a light for the historic unlit tunnels. Combine with a float on the Greenbrier River, fish for native trout, and visit the Cass Scenic Railroad at the north end. Pack plenty of water and food, bring rain gear, be bear-aware with food storage, and savor one of the finest and most beautiful rail-trails in the East.