Pocahontas County Mountain Biking Trails

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, Pocahontas County is the place to ride. We boasts over 375 miles of trails that are open to bikes From gentle grades of rail trails to the exhilarating thrill of steep downhill single track, there are endless options for all enthusiasts. Whichever route you choose, you'll be traveling through a rugged terrain that has challenged generations of "mountaineers" before you. For centuries, Shawnee Native Americans claimed these mountains as a seasonal hunting ground, teeming with wildlife in a vast forest crossed by pristine rivers. Pioneers with Scots-Irish, German, and English roots began settling in this wild area in the late 18th century. These strongly independent people persevered to create homes in remarkably difficult conditions. Soon, the mountain forests also attracted industry.
Beginning in the late 1800's and lasting well into the 1920's, most of the forested land in Pocahontas County was harvested for its magnificent trees and mined for its valuable coal. Railroad grades were built by Italian immigrants to reach nearly every ridge and hollow. Their hard labor, matched with horses and steam shovels, built many of the trails you can enjoy today. Thankfully, the forest has rebounded from this activity, so that today the mountains are once again "wild and wonderful".
Our amazing biking is made possible by the vast amount of public lands in this county which include five state parks, two state forests and a large portion of the Monongahela National Forest. We are rural in nature, offering unmatched scenic beauty and quaint small towns. Our Mon Forest Towns Partnership is identifying ways to grow conservation and nature-based recreation in communities that result in environmental and economic gains. Together, we can contribute to a forest in which nature, visitors, communities, and economies thrive. We invite you to become a part of this new story.
When visiting our area, we recommend that you plan your trip ahead of time. Be prepared for very limited cell phone coverage. Service is available in the Hillsboro, Marlinton, and Snowshoe areas from select providers. The village at Snowshoe Mountain, the town of Cass, local libraries, visitor centers, restaurants, and lodging offer guest WiFi. You can stay in touch with the outside world, while enjoying Nature’s Mountain Playground.