Plantation Trail
When I approached the West Virginia Mountain Biking Forums to find out what the “Best” trails were,the Plantation Trail was way on the top of the list.
After having so much trouble finding up to date trail info, I was lucky that this trail is pretty easy and straight forward to ride.
So, it was time to hit the Plantation, and see for myself if it deserves a spot in the “Big League”

Trail Info:

Nearby City: Davis
Length: 19.7 total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Difficult
Duration: 4.5 hours for intermediate riders
Trailhead Elev: 3079 feet
Top Elev: 3600 feet

Guide Book Description:

This is the Canaan Valley region’s most famous single track. From Plantation Trail you can make any number of loops with the trails that cross and branch off. Described here is the entire length of Plantation, a difficult, rocky, technical and beautiful ride with the return on the loop road. Highlights include technical trails with rocks and slippery roots, bogs, stream crossings, and open fern-filled woods.

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My Experience:

I parked my truck in a spot just over the bridge WV32.
This trail started with a 3 mile ride on a busy road, from the bridge to the Trailhead. The start to the “Real Trail” was well marked on the side of WV32.
The singletrack quickly disappeared into the unknown.
The trail is very easy to navigate, and because it is a fairly flat ride, I soon realized I had to find the ideal gear, and just ride the trail in that gear.Because the whole singletrack section is through dense forest, there are no views or scenic “wows” BUT, you don’t miss them, ‘cos this trail gives you a great remote feeling which I thought was pretty cool. There are a few minor up’s & downs on this trail, but nothing serious, as well as a few minor creek crossings. One section of the trail was extremely boggy / muddy and there was just no way to ride through it, or around it. This singletrack section of the trail is about 8 miles, then you end up on the Canaan Loop Road. Now all that was left was about 8.5 miles of road back to the truck and starting point

Mayhem’s Verdict:

Well first, this is a just under 20 mile loop, BUT 12 miles are on road, and only the 8 miles of singletrack are actually fun. If I was to advise anyone who wants to ride this trail, I would highly recommend they did an “In & Out” this would mean 16 Miles of excellent singletrack.
The trail was very well maintained, and well marked.
This trail is not fast, or scenic, but it does offer the rider a remote XC feeling. This trail is rated “Difficult”  in the books, I’m not sure why this is, I myself would rate this trail “Moderate”

Other Info:

Traffic on Trail : No one at all
Wild Life : None, but there were numerous clear and fresh markings of bears on the trail
Scenery : Not much at all.
Other : VERY muddy section on the singletrack section

My Trail Rating :  6 / 10

West Virginia..

What can I say, a very beautiful State, but WV has got to be the worst State I’ve Mountain Biked.
I had set 3 weeks aside to ride some of West Virginia Trails, but after just one week and just one and a half ride, I packed up and headed for Colorado.

Let me explain how I find the best rides.

** First of all, I have full access to Trails.com and Singletrack.com, these two sites give me a lot of useful Trail info about existing trails, once I am familiar with my options, I post on various well known, and local Mtb. Forums asking people for the Best 5 rides in their area, then, with a list of recommended trails, I cross reference them again with Trails.com and Singletrack.com to find the best Town(s) to base myself. Once I am based, I visit the local bike shop, and ask them the same question.. What are the best 5 rides in the area.. I then buy my maps / book, and I ride the recommended Trails.

West Virginia was not that simple.. Outdated Maps, Outdated books, Land Issues, Forestry Issues, Bikes not allowed, etc..etc..
I was advised by most people to stay near / in Davis for some notorious trails in the Canaan Valley. Once in Davis I went to the local bike shop for info and maps.. Although they were very friendly, and helpful, I left the shop knowing that the whole Trail system here has just gone to waste. The trails I had in mind were no longer possible, or at least, not as they were on the map, because of land issues. I was also told that many “No Bike” trails were now open to bikes, but they never removed the “No Bike” signs!!.. and then there were the trails that you could ride a section, but then you reached a 3 mile “No Bikes” section, so you had to walk before being able to continue.

There is no doubt in my mind that West Virginia has some fantastic Mountain Biking, but, unless you are a local, and familiar with all the trails and ongoing issues, then, as an outsider it is extremely difficult to find rides.

** Please note that Davis was recommended as the best area to use as a base, the comments I have made above are based purely on this region (Canaan Valley) and NOT for West Virginia on a whole.

** I would also like to mention that the Canaan Valley does have a very passionate tight knit group of Mountain Bikers, who where very helpful in my quest to find rides. It seems to me that this group is well aware that “Their” maps and books are (very) outdated, and that accurate trail info is non existent, and are working on sorting out these issues.