New River Gorge NP
Brooklyn to Southside Junction
aka Cunard to Thurmond

This trail is billed as a Rail-Trail and it is... but with a kick. The first 1.5 miles are what you would expect: fire road size, gravel surface, gentle uphill grade. Then it changes into what is really single-track for about four miles.It has roots, rocks and railroad ties with a creek or two thrown in for good measure. There are also three short sections with significant humps of six feet or so. None of this shows up in either of the maps I used: The Park Service map shown below or the map in Mid-Atlantic Rail-Trails. Moreover, there is no mention of it in the book except for the leftover ties.

I found it to be a pleasant and interesting surprise. Since I'm trying to get to the point where I can do "real" single-track with my son it was a step up and a workout.

Google for Cunard Access
GPS POI for the Cunard Access. GPX format. For more on GPS click here.

Rail-Trails, Mid-Atlantic, from Wilderness Press.
If you found this useful please buy the book.

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