The Cheat River Rail-Trail is an approximate eight-mile corridor paralleling the Cheat River from Manheim (across the river from the town of Rowlesburg) to just upstream (south) of Route 7/Caddell Bridge. The corridor is nearly flat with outstanding natural scenery and access to the Cheat River Narrows. This greenway is a top priority among Trail Manager Friends of the Cheat’s recreation projects and has been slowly progressing for over a decade. The cooperation and commitment of Greer Industries are integral to the advancement of this project. In 2012, the West Virginia State Rail Authority agreed to own the property with Friends of the Cheat serving as the Trail Manager. The purchase of the property from CSXT was finalized in April of 2016. In 2018, Friends of The Cheat was awarded a $3.2 million grant from WVDEP AML Pilot Program for their RE-CREATE Project. RE-CREATE’s funds will be used to complete construction of the trail and implement a Trail Town Program in the surrounding communities.
When completed, the non-motorized rail-trail will offer unparalleled access to the unique and beautiful Cheat River and link to Friends of the Cheat’s Preston Site. The group has a long-term goal of developing a Cheat River Interpretive Center green building at this trailhead.
The trail is currently closed until construction is complete. Trail design is currently underway.
Trail Manager Contact
Friends of the Cheat
Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director
Friends of the Cheat
119 South Price Street, Suite 206
Kingwood, WV 26537
304-329-3621
foc@cheat.org and amanda@cheat.org
Manager website: www.cheat.org
Notes
The trail is not yet constructed or open for public use. Engineering including soil remediation work is on-going, trail construction to begin in 2020.