North Bend Rail Trail: short West Union paved return
West Virginia · Rail-trail
Join the main rail-trail at the signed West Union access around mile 51, ride east to about mile 51.6 and retrace. Stay on the mapped paved subsection; no tunnels, long road links or steep Ellenboro overpass included.
Plan your ride
- Location
- West Union · West Virginia
- Ride length
- About 1.2 miles
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Owner-mapped paved rail-trail subsection
- Road crossings
- Join the main rail-trail at the signed West Union access around mile 51, ride east to about mile 51.6 and retrace. Stay on the mapped paved subsection; no tunnels, long road links or steep Ellenboro overpass included.
- Elevation
- Short former railbed outing; local access and road crossings still require care.
- Starting location
- North Bend Rail Trail designated West Union parking near mile 51, West Union, WV
Owner map shows West Union access near mile 51 and paved trail to about 51.6. About 0.6 mile eastward and back gives 1.2 miles; access walk extra.
North Bend Rail Trail West Union reference; approximate planning point, not a surveyed entrance or parking stall.
North Bend Rail Trail: short West Union paved return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-21. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Join the main rail-trail at the signed West Union access around mile 51, ride east to about mile 51.6 and retrace. Stay on the mapped paved subsection; no tunnels, long road links or steep Ellenboro overpass included.
Start and parking approach
Start: North Bend Rail Trail designated West Union parking near mile 51, West Union, WV
Use only open designated public visitor parking. Walk through parking aisles and the final access connection; never use private lots without permission. If no lawful open arrival is available, postpone or arrive by transit/foot.
Distance and route
Selected ride: About 1.2 miles. Format: Out and back.
Owner map shows West Union access near mile 51 and paved trail to about 51.6. About 0.6 mile eastward and back gives 1.2 miles; access walk extra.
Join the main rail-trail at the signed West Union access around mile 51, ride east to about mile 51.6 and retrace. Stay on the mapped paved subsection; no tunnels, long road links or steep Ellenboro overpass included.
Surface and effort
Surface: Owner-mapped paved rail-trail subsection. Short former railbed outing; local access and road crossings still require care. No surveyed maximum slope or accessibility certification is supplied.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to pedestrians, use the signed bicycle/shared-use route, slow at crossings and blind bends, and walk uncomfortable ramps. Authorized maintenance or emergency vehicles may appear. The written route defines the separated portion; nearby roads and unmarked walking or technical trails are excluded. Check current device rules before bringing an e-bike.
Hours, costs and access
State trail hours are 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; choose daylight. Ordinary access fees were not established in this pass. Obey posted entry and parking terms; rentals, events and other services are separate.
Reviewed October 21, 2026. The owner map marks pavement from approximately mile 50.8 to 51.6. A current fully-open notice does not remove local barriers or supersede the western mile-zero access restriction. Bring drinking water; some mapped water pumps are explicitly nonpotable. This is source-based planning, not a field inspection or a guarantee of present-day conditions. Stop at closures; do not improvise a traffic-road bypass.
Map location
The marker is a labeled planning reference, not a surveyed parking space, bicycle entrance or navigable route line. Use the written start and current on-site signs for the final approach.