West Fork — improved Mary Lou Retton Park return
West Virginia · Rail-trail
Join the signed main rail trail toward Monongah for up to two miles Retrace at the outward cap, actual end or first barrier. Ordinary-road detours and natural/technical branches are excluded.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Fairmont · West Virginia
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Improved paved/limestone main rail trail
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Rail corridors can still have hills, bridge ramps and road crossings. No surveyed maximum grade; walk uncomfortable transitions and avoid ice or flood conditions.
- Starting location
- Mary Lou Retton Park public West Fork rail-trail access, Fairmont, WV
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Published named county trailhead coordinate; not a surveyed parking stall.
West Fork — improved Mary Lou Retton Park return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-23. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Mary Lou Retton Park public West Fork rail-trail access, Fairmont, WV.
Use only signed ordinary public park/trail visitor parking under current hours, fees and event controls. Walk to the trail; private, school, college, business and reserved spaces are excluded.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 4 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Join the signed main rail trail toward Monongah for up to two miles Retrace at the outward cap, actual end or first barrier. Ordinary-road detours and natural/technical branches are excluded.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Improved paved/limestone main rail trail. Rail corridors can still have hills, bridge ramps and road crossings. No surveyed maximum grade; walk uncomfortable transitions and avoid ice or flood conditions.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-23. Dated source review, not a field inspection or same-day all-clear. County identifies this public trailhead and Marion paving within the mixed-surface West Fork corridor. Use firm dry limestone transitions; do not assume the whole multicounty trail is asphalt. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.