North Bend Rail Trail

North Bend Rail Trail is a 72-mile recreational route across north-central and western West Virginia that follows the bed of the former Northwestern Virginia Railroad, later the B&O’s Parkersburg Branch. Built between 1851 and 1857 to high engineering standards, the line used 23 tunnels and 52 bridges to maintain gentle grades and became part of an important transportation corridor, later carrying notable passenger trains. Rail service declined in the automobile era, ending with the loss of passenger trains by 1981 and track removal in 1988. West Virginia then converted the corridor into a trail, preserving many bridges and tunnels and creating a distinctive long-distance route known for scenery and surviving railroad works.

Pennsboro, West Virginia · United States