This guided mountain biking trip follows a Rails-to-Trails system along West Virginia's Meadow and Gauley Rivers.

Trip Description

Follow The Gauley River Guided Mountain Biking Trips

This trip truly is one of the most satisfying mountain bike trips there is.  95% downhill, this full day trip is remote, stunningly beautiful and goes at a casual pace. Until only a few years ago, it was a wilderness area that very few could get to.  It wasn't until they removed the railroad tracks, opening it up to mountain bikers and hikers, that gave us the opportunity to experience it first hand.  Each season offers something different:

Springtime:

Sprimgtime in the mountains is a special time... everything is in a rush.  The rivers are usually running high; the tree buds are popping; and the beautiful wildflowers are raising their heads and glory around every bend.  With rich earth smells and thousands of birds calling, winging about in a rush to build their nests - it's a great time to slow down and take it all in.  With little or no leaf coverage, you can see these two unique canyons in a way that showcases the huge boulders along the river and colorful cliffs above.  It also means that you have unbstructed windows to view two of the most incredible rivers on the East Coast.  If you catch it just right, and the rivers are running at extreme high levels, you can witness mothers nature awesome raw power as the rivers race and roar in confined canyons... the noise and power is breathtaking; the ground actually shakes.

Summertime:

This is another great time to explore this area - there is so much wildlife.  Whether you are biking or hiking, the deer will sit and watch you until you get within a hundred feet or so before casually bounding away.  The bird's barely notice you as they carry on, and it is common to catch glimpses of a bobcat or black bear.  The rivers are usually running low enough that you can get out and walk along the sandy beaches or boulder hop along the river and look in the deep pools and see the fish swimming in the clear water.  It  is also a great time to pick the wild berries along the trail.

Fall:

Probably the best time to plan this trip.  First off it's Gauley Season - you can watch people run some of the best rapids on the planet during release days.  You can view three of the biggest Class V Rapids (Lost Paddle, Iron Ring & Sweets Falls) on the river.  And the changing leaves are stunning.  If you do, do this this trip during a release day, you get to have a Hot Lunch at Sweets Falls as you sit and watch all the thrills and spills!

This trip can make a great alternative for those coming along on a Gauley season vacation but would rather be mountain biking than rafting.

This trip departs at 8:45 am.  Guests must meet at the Big Top Tent ½ hour before their departure time.  Trip length is 19 miles.  Guests are shuttled to and from trail head.