Clendenin Rail Trail Opens For Hiking, Biking 

A festive crowd of students, officials and organizers celebrated the long-awaited opening of the Clendenin Rail Trail Wednesday. It runs along the scenic Elk River and is part of the 73-mile Elk River Trail – which is nearing completion. 

“We now have 47 miles of trail completed from Gassaway to Hartland, and another four-and-a-half miles of trail from Clendenin to Queen Shoals,” said Elk River Trail Foundation President Ken Tawney. 

There’s also an 18-mile-long rails-with-trail section along Buffalo Creek from Dundon to Widen that features railbike rides.

“Now we need to close that last 20 mile gap between Hartland and Queen Shoals. It is past due,” Tawney said.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey was on hand for the ribbon cutting.

“This is an amazing initiative in Kanawha County to promote healthy living, tourism and economic development,” Morrisey said. “This is an area that’s going to benefit so much from the great outdoors.”

Designed for hiking, biking and horseback riding, Tawney said anticipation of the trail in Clendenin has already led to the opening of several bike and kayak rental businesses as well as a brewing company. He said they all point to the town’s recovery from the floodwaters that claimed homes and lives in 2016.