PRESTON, West Virginia – Friends of the Cheat (FOC) announces the official opening of the first 3 miles of the long-awaited Cheat River Rail-Trail.
The newly opened section starts at FOC’s trailhead on 10922 River Road, Kingwood. It runs approximately 3 miles north, nestled between the Cheat River and the Cheat River Scenic Byway (River Road/WV Route 72).
After 25 years in the making, FOC and its many partners, including the dedicated volunteers from the legacy Preston Rail-Trail Committee, gathered on Friday, April 25th, to cut the ribbon and officially open the trail in anticipation of Celebrate Trails Day on Saturday, April 26th, and the annual Cheat River Festival taking place on May 2nd and 3rd.
The trail features both crushed limestone surfaces and a paved section next to Camp Dawson’s facilities. Visitors can access the trail from dawn until dusk. Parking for the trail is located at the Cheat River Trailhead, which has picnic areas, water fountains, restrooms, and river access. No motorized vehicles are permitted on the trail.
The next phase of trail construction is underway, with WVDOT’s CenForce crew actively working to rehabilitate the 430-foot trestle bridge across the Cheat River adjacent to the trailhead. For your safety and out of respect for this ongoing construction and the workers, FOC asks that visitors stay off the trestle bridge and the southern section of the trail. Later this year, FOC will release the contract for the construction of the southern 5 miles of rail-trail.
For more information on the Cheat River Rail-Trail visit: cheat.org/cheat-river-rail-trail/.
