About
West Virginia sits atop one of the most extensive networks of former railroad corridors in the eastern United States — a legacy of the coal and timber economy that, properly converted, becomes one of the state's most valuable outdoor recreation assets. The West Virginia Rails-to-Trails Council is the statewide organization working to make those conversions happen. They advocate for rail-trail development, connect local groups with technical assistance and resources, and work to ensure WV's abandoned rail corridors become trails rather than lost opportunities.
Rail-trails are among the most accessible outdoor recreation infrastructure that exists — flat, paved or surfaced, and open to users of all ability levels. WVRTC's work is as much about community development as it is about recreation. Every converted corridor is a linear park, a safe route for cyclists, and a tourism asset for the towns it passes through.
