New River Gorge Thurmond-Minden Railroad Grade

The Thurmond-Minden rail grade carved into New River Gorge’s walls still bears the scars of America’s coal boom. This 12-mile route follows the old Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad bed between two ghost towns, threading through hand-cut rock tunnels and across steel trestles that somehow survived both time and flood. At Kaymoor, rusted tipples and conveyor foundations tell stories of when black diamonds ruled these hollows.

Easy to moderate difficulty for any high-clearance vehicle, though wet weather makes the clay sections greasy as sin. Spring through fall offers best conditions before winter washouts take their toll. Pack plenty of water — the only reliable source is the New River itself, and that’s a long hike down. Multiple camping spots near the old rail yards, and you’ll earn every sunset view across the gorge. History buffs and photographers call this home.