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Trails Abound

BY: Why Huntington 26 February 2009 525 views 12 Comments

single track mountain bike trail in Barboursville WVLast summer some friends of mine convinced me to give Mountain Biking a try. I hadn’t really rode a bike much since I was about 16 so I was pretty darn nervous that first day on the trails. Fortunately for me there are a wide variety of trails within a short distance of downtown Huntington so I didn’t have to jump on a difficult “black diamond” rated trail as an initiation. Instead, we headed out to Barboursville Park, where a big race takes place every year, and we coasted around some nice easy beginner trails.

As my confidence on the bike has progressed, even if my skill hasn’t, we have been able to attempt a few more difficult trails such as those at Beech Fork State Park (just south of Huntington) and the Kanawah Trace trail (also in Barboursville) plus some of the intermediate single track runs at the aforementioned Barboursville Park. Plus, once I become both skillful and confident there are plenty of those “black diamond” trails for me to attack as well.

If Mountain Biking isn’t your thing don’t fear – all of these trails are also widely used by both hikers and backpackers looking for some backcountry adventure. I’m sure there are even more trails in the area that I’m unaware of but, as I discover them, I’ll share them with you and, who knows, maybe you’ll pass me by as I climb back into the saddle after another tricky descent. If you do feel free to say hi!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=610507654498 larry hammons

    We use to have our own little trail down by the Ohio River that started at the west end of Harris Riverfront. I have walked from Harris to kenova, biked the trail on the North side of the floodwall. I’ve spent all day going to Guyandotte and back. There is no trail that I know of from Guyandotte but still you can get along by following the river. Steel of West Virginia dosent want hikers coming down there way because you will discover the illegal dumping they have done for years. I remeber back in the 60′s when we would visit granny in Porthsmouth Ohio my dad would take me to the river. Back then industrail companys were florishing. The river was a odd orange color. Today, it looks quite nice. I dont know about eating any fish but who knows? The trail in Harris dissapeared when the Mayor and the city decided to bulldoze tent city. I spent days and many hours down by the river picking up trash. It’s a shame that the bad fruit of a few ruin it for everyone! I feel like I am being punished too. This spring I am going back down there at the risk of arrest and will try to re-blaze a trail. I may go east back to 27th street also. I miss the river trails!

  • http://rawlinson.us/bill/ Bill

    Im sure if you talked to the parks and recreation board about a trail they would be interested in helping plan it’s route especially considering it would add instant value to the park.

  • Simone

    There are some interesting sections at Rotary Park as well. Might be worth checking out.

  • http://rawlinson.us/bill/ Bill

    Cool, I had been thinking there might be some trails there. I will definitely check it out! Thanks for the heads up.

  • Jay

    Rotary Park is great…there are a lot of trails there plus the view from the top is really nice. There is an observation deck at the highest point in the park just above the top parking lot that offers a great view of huntington and the river. I’m a disc golfer so i’m up there a lot but i rarely see anyone utilizing this beautiful park. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

  • http://rawlinson.us/bill/ Bill

    I used to go up there quite a bit with my dog but, to be honest, it has been years. It is a great park; I don’t know why so few people take advantage of it. I will definitely be up there checking it out this spring/summer.

  • larry

    I’m not sure if I want the parks and recreations to build anything. These were man made trails from years of use. I ‘ve been miles and miles along the Ohio. I kinda like the challenge of navigating. I think a built trail would make it too easy. One of the best parts of the river is down by Bill’s house. The banks are fairly clean, well, compared to the 6th street bridge area and the banks get wide. There is no waste from Steel of West Virginia there. I have investigated the barges and found out stuff lives in it!! I could spend a whole day on the river. Ritter park is okay. Just be careful!! My rear brake cable busted over by the bridge with the big pipe sticking out of the ground. Hit a tree and broke my nose!! Maybe better to walk that section!!

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    i read this and as well as multi-purpose trails for landlubbers who like to jog, bike and rollerblade. When it's…

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