NALLEN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Many local, state, and federal dignitaries gathered in Nallen on Thursday to cut the ribbon on Phase I of the Meadow River Rail Trail.
The ribbon was cut at the Meadow River Campground where a new walking, biking, and horseback riding bridge stretches across the river.
A former CSX train trestle, this bridge was transformed into a hiking bridge in 2015 but was destroyed in the devastating 2016 floods.
It has since been rebuilt and hikers are now able to hike eight miles from the Nallen Post Office to Burdette’s Creek along the Meadow River Rail Trail.
The trail from Burdette’s Creek to Rainelle is currently undeveloped but is part of Phase II of the trail construction.
Matt Ford, Project Coordinator for the Meadow River Rail Trail, says this is a great time for the Mountain State.
“It’s an exciting and historic day for West Virginia and the Meadow River Valley, and we’re super happy for Fayette and Greenbrier Counties,” Ford said. “This project started in 2008 when CSX abandoned this 16.4-mile section of trail.”
The former railroad now turned recreation haven was once a part of the Nicholas, Fayette & Greenbrier (NF&G) Railway which was a major hub for coal and timber transportation in the three counties.
Fayette County Commission President Tom Louisos says he is happy to see the work that has been completed so far but sees even more potential for the trail.
“This trail is like no other, the opportunities are endless, the scenic beauty and the wildlife flow from the river to the mountain peaks, it’s totally breathtaking,” Louisos said.
“But I want more, the Meadow River Trail present plan development runs from Rainelle to Nallen, I would like to see the trail extend from Nallen to and through the Gauley River National Recreation Area into Gauley Bridge,” Louisos explained.
Senator Jack David Woodrum (R-Summers) believes that the economic potential because of the trail and its future connections is endless.
“This is one piece of a much larger puzzle and when this puzzle is put together between what’s in the [New River Gorge] National Park and what’s outside the national park,” Woodrum said. “Starting in Virginia coming all the way down the river, it’s a series of trails that will be one of the largest in the nation once we get them all tied together.”
Once fully completed, the trail is expected to become a hub for hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing.
The trail will only be open for nonmotorized use and trail users must stay on the trail surface, as the areas surrounding the trail right of way are private property.
The project is a partnership between the Fayette and Greenbrier County Commissions. To learn more about the Meadow River Rail Trail, click here.
