Wheeling Heritage Trail — Wheeling, WV to Wellsburg, WV

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Wheeling Heritage Trail & Brooke Pioneer Trail 24-Mile Bike Ride

Come out for a ride! This is part of a trail ride series sponsored by the Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) intended to bring awareness to the wonderful trails in our quad-state region (Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia). All cyclists are welcome for this rails-to-trails, moderate-paced ride!

Join us, as we visit the Yankee Trail, Brook Pioneer Trail, and the Wheeling Heritage Trail. The ride departs from the Pike Island Lock and Dam Trailhead and we ride north to Wellsburg, WV along the east bank of the Ohio River. All trails are paved and easy to ride and provide a total of 24 miles of scenic biking.

Trailhead

Pike Island Lock and Dam Trailhead - RR #1, Box 33, Wheeling, WV 26003-9701

GPS: 40.147356, -80.700770

Features and Points of Interest:

The Wheeling Heritage Trails run on the former B&O Railroad right of way and are known locally as two trails that connect in downtown Wheeling: the Ohio River Trail and the Wheeling Creek Trail. The trail provides an urban escape and an opportunity to soak up local history and modern industry in this historical city. The route follows the eastern bank of the Ohio River, once the lifeblood of the city's manufacturing industry. Barges still go up and down the river, and with good timing and patience you can watch one progress through the series of locks. Take a break to rest on a bench and you will be rewarded with a splendid view of the river and wildlife. This trail connects to the Wheeling Creek Trail at Heritage Port.

From downtown Wheeling, the Wheeling Creek Trail heads east to Elm Grove. Along the way, you'll cross high above Wheeling Creek on the Hempfield Viaduct and pass through Hempfield Tunnel, built in 1904. This segment of the Wheeling Heritage Trails is less urban and meanders along a wooded corridor.

At the trail's northern terminus, ride the 7-mile Brooke Pioneer Trail and Yankee Rail Trail to continue your journey all the way to Wellsburg. The railroad bridges at Buffalo Creek, Harrison Run, Short Creek and Cross Creek were constructed for Panhandle Railroad Company's first Steubenville to Wheeling run, February 24,1878. The cut sandstone walls between markers 4 and 6 were put in place for the Panhandle Traction Co.(street cars) around 1901.

Map

Social

Optional social gathering and dinner will be held at the midpoint or end of the ride.

Attachments:
Wheeling_Heritage_Trail_Map.pdf	[ ]