The Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail stretches 11 miles between the small mountain towns of Thomas and Hendricks in eastern West Virginia. It's a rugged, scenic, shady climb that follows the path of the Blackwater River as it snakes through Blackwater Falls State Park. Most of the trail has a steady 3.5% grade, which can feel like a real grind going up (from Hendricks to Thomas). But I promise the views are well worth it, especially if you ride in the spring or fall.

The nearby towns of Thomas and Davis are very friendly and packed with restaurants, coffee shops, outfitters, art galleries, and more. I've made a few trips back since taking this footage and the towns never disappoint.

If you're bringing inexperienced riders or young children, I'd recommend riding one way from Thomas to Hendricks (downhill) and then shuttling the bikes back to the top. Also, you'll definitely want at least a gravel or hybrid bike for this ride. Some rail trails are pretty forgiving for skinny tires; this is not one of them. Finally, I recommend making a spring or fall ride. Once the leaves grow in, the trail effectively becomes a single track and much of the view will be obscured.

Featured in this video:

The Billy Motel: https://www.thebillymotel.com Blackwater Bikes: https://www.facebook.com/BlackwaterBikes Bloom: https://thosewhobloom.com/ Tip Top Coffee: https://www.facebook.com/TipTopThomas/ Milo's Cafe: brightmorninginn.com Trailhead Coffee Shop: https://www.facebook.com/Trailheadcoffeeshop

Pearce Roswell / Just the Banjo / courtesy of epidemicsound.com https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/l015lkLpOT/

Northside / Blacklake Waters / courtesy of epidemicsound.com https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/FGFm86uWvQ/

Hunter Quinn / Fiddler's Barn / courtesy of epidemicsound.com https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Nq7VDi1T29/

Biddy Sullivan / Haystack / courtesy of epidemicsound.com https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/HSiITAxFhb/