Greenbrier River Trail Old Railroad Grade

The old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad grade parallels the Greenbrier River for 78 miles, passing through tunnels blasted from solid limestone and over trestles that still carry traffic a century later. This converted rail-trail maintains its original gravel ballast, creating an easy overland route through some of West Virginia’s most remote river valleys. The highlight is Sharps Tunnel, a 511-foot bore through Droop Mountain where Confederate and Union forces clashed in 1863.

Any vehicle with decent ground clearance can handle the compacted gravel surface, though the trail officially prohibits motorized vehicles — check current regulations. The route stays open year-round with several access points near Marlinton, Hillsboro, and Caldwell. No permits required, but respect private property boundaries that often come right to the trail edge. Multiple camping options along the river, and the small railroad towns offer resupply. This is West Virginia history at 25 mph.