By Colin FosterUpdated November 2026
Finding good New River bike trails takes more than a quick search, because the term covers very different terrain: rail-trail corridors, gorge singletrack, river blueway maps and national park backcountry. This list is built for riders who want a reliable guide before they pack the bike. The selection criteria were specific coverage of the New River Gorge and surrounding area, clarity of maps and route descriptions, the publisher’s reputation for trail guidebooks, and the kind of feedback owners tend to report (usefulness on the trail, map durability, how current the information feels). Nothing here comes from personal testing; the picks are based on what each product is, what it covers, and how readers generally describe it.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallHiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User's GuideView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for paper maps on the waterBooks New River Blueway MapView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for park-wide navigationNew River Gorge National River MapView on Amazon - 4
Best for planning a wider tripRail-Trails New Jersey & New YorkView on Amazon - 5
Best for regional touring contextRail-Trails Northern New EnglandView on Amazon - 6
Best for singletrack ideas100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United StatesView on Amazon - 7
Best focused trail guideNew River Gorge Trail GuideView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide | Riders planning gorge routes | Trail-by-trail descriptions for the gorge |
| Books New River Blueway Map | Paddlers and riders on river access | Waterway and access point layout |
| New River Gorge National River Map | Park-wide navigation | Trails Illustrated format with park boundaries |
| Rail-Trails New Jersey & New York | Multiuse trip planning in the Northeast | Regional rail-trail coverage |
| Rail-Trails Northern New England | Touring-focused rail-trail riders | Multiuse trails across three states |
| 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States | Singletrack trip ideas | National survey of mountain bike routes |
| New River Gorge Trail Guide | Focused gorge trail reference | Dedicated gorge trail descriptions |
Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide
Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User's Guide
Best for: Riders who want a single book covering gorge routes for both hiking and biking
This is the most direct match for someone whose main goal is riding inside the New River Gorge. It is aimed at trail users generally, so it helps riders who also share trails with hikers and want to know what to expect on each route.
Key specs
- Format: printed trail guide
- Subject: New River Gorge hiking and biking routes
- Audience: trail users planning day rides and longer outings
Pros
- Organized around the gorge itself, so route selection is straightforward
- Covers both bike and foot access, which helps with mixed-use trails
- Useful as a planning reference before you arrive
Cons
- A guide like this can age as trails are rerouted, so check current park information
- Not a substitute for an on-the-ground map when you are out riding
Bottom line: The best starting point for riders who want gorge-specific trail descriptions in one book.
Books New River Blueway Map
Books New River Blueway Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 773)
Best for: Paddlers and riders who need river access points and waterway context
This is a map product rather than a trail guide. It suits people combining cycling with river access, such as riders who want to plan a shuttle or pair a bike segment with a float.
Key specs
- Format: folding map in the National Geographic Trails Illustrated series
- Subject: New River blueway and access points
Pros
- Shows river access points that are hard to pick out from road maps
- Trails Illustrated maps are generally valued for durability and readable scale
- Useful for planning shuttles between put-in and take-out points
Cons
- Focused on water rather than bike trails, so it is a supplement, not a full trail guide
- Paper maps can be damaged in wet conditions unless protected
Bottom line: Pick this if your riding plans involve the river as much as the land.
New River Gorge National River Map
New River Gorge National River Map (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map, 242)
Best for: Park-wide navigation and orienting yourself across the gorge
A park map is the piece most riders carry for orientation. It helps you see how routes connect across the gorge, which matters when a planned loop needs a bail-out option.
Key specs
- Format: folding topographic-style map
- Subject: New River Gorge National River
- Series: National Geographic Trails Illustrated
Pros
- Good for seeing the big picture across the whole park
- Trails Illustrated maps are widely used by outdoor users for reference
- Helpful for planning loops and identifying connecting roads
Cons
- Scale may be too broad for fine route detail on tight singletrack
- Paper format needs a dry bag or sleeve on wet rides
Bottom line: A strong companion to a trail guide for anyone riding more than one area of the gorge.
Rail-Trails New Jersey & New York
Rail-Trails New Jersey & New York: The definitive guide to the region's top multiuse trails
Best for: Planning a multi-trail trip in the Northeast, with broader rail-trail context
This guide is outside the New River region, but it is relevant for riders who want to compare rail-trail touring standards or plan a trip that combines regions. Read it as a reference for rail-trail planning rather than a New River route source.
Key specs
- Subject: multiuse rail-trails in New Jersey and New York
- Format: regional guidebook
Pros
- Good model for how rail-trail guides organize access and surface information
- Useful if your trip extends beyond the New River
- Covers many trails in one volume
Cons
- Not focused on the New River, so local gorge routes are not covered
- Trail conditions and access points change over time
Bottom line: Useful for riders who want rail-trail planning context beyond West Virginia.
Rail-Trails Northern New England
Rail-Trails Northern New England: The definitive guide to multiuse trails in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
Best for: Touring-focused riders who want rail-trail routes across several states
Like the New Jersey and New York volume, this is a regional rail-trail guide. It fits riders who prefer flat, long-distance corridors and want to understand how those routes are described.
Key specs
- Subject: multiuse trails in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
- Format: regional guidebook
Pros
- Strong on rail-trail corridor descriptions
- Helpful for long-distance touring planning
- Covers multiple states in one reference
Cons
- Outside the New River area, so it does not cover gorge riding
- Local conditions can change, so verify current status
Bottom line: A good pick for touring-style planning, though not a New River route source.
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate Guide to America's Top Singletrack — From Epic Rides to Hidden Gems
Best for: Singletrack trip ideas and comparing gorge riding with other destinations
This is a national survey rather than a local guide. It is useful for riders who want to see where the New River fits in the wider mountain bike landscape and who are deciding between destinations.
Key specs
- Subject: mountain bike trails across the United States
- Format: national guidebook
Pros
- Broad overview helpful for trip comparison
- Good for discovering destinations you may not have considered
- Covers many singletrack styles in one book
Cons
- Local trail detail is limited for any single area
- Route information may need updating before you ride
Bottom line: Best for planning a bigger trip, not for turn-by-turn gorge navigation.
New River Gorge Trail Guide
New River Gorge Trail Guide
Best for: A focused, gorge-specific trail reference
For riders who know they will spend their time in the New River Gorge, a dedicated trail guide keeps the information tight and relevant. It suits anyone who wants local detail rather than regional or national coverage.
Key specs
- Subject: trails within the New River Gorge
- Format: dedicated trail guide
Pros
- Focused entirely on the gorge, so less irrelevant content
- Useful for choosing routes by difficulty and terrain
- Easy to carry alongside a park map
Cons
- Narrow scope means no coverage of other regions
- Trail details should be cross-checked with current park notices
Bottom line: A solid choice if the gorge is your only destination this season.
Buying Guide
Match the guide to your riding type
New River bike trails cover several categories: paved and gravel rail-trail corridors, singletrack in the gorge, and river-adjacent routes. A guide written for hikers may skip bike-specific details such as grade, surface and shuttle logistics, so check whether a book addresses cycling directly. If you ride mostly singletrack, look for guides that describe technical features; if you ride touring-style, look for surface and distance information.
Good picks for this: Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide, New River Gorge Trail Guide
Check map scale and detail
Scale determines how much you see at once. A park-wide map at a broad scale helps with orientation, but a small connector trail may not be visible. Before buying, look at whether the map shows the specific trailheads you plan to use. Printed scale statements and legends are usually the fastest way to judge this.
Good picks for this: New River Gorge National River Map, Books New River Blueway Map
Confirm the coverage area
It is easy to buy a regional book that sounds relevant but covers a different state. Read the subtitle and table of contents. A guide to New Jersey and New York or northern New England is useful for rail-trail context, but it will not give you gorge routes.
Good picks for this: Rail-Trails New Jersey & New York, Rail-Trails Northern New England
Consider durability and weather
Paper maps and guides face moisture, sweat and abrasion on a bike. Folding maps from established cartographic series generally hold up better than thin brochures. Use a dry bag, map case or plastic sleeve, and keep a photo of key pages on your phone as a backup. Battery and signal are unreliable in parts of the gorge, so do not rely on a phone alone.
Good picks for this: New River Gorge National River Map, Books New River Blueway Map
Think about trip planning versus on-trail use
Some books are best read at home to choose routes; others are better carried on the bike. A detailed guide makes sense for planning, while a folding map is more practical to consult mid-ride. Many experienced riders use both: the book to pick a route and the map to navigate it.
Good picks for this: Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide, New River Gorge National River Map
Look at publication currency
Trail conditions, closures and rerouted sections change. Check the publication date and whether the publisher issues updates. Pair any guide with current information from the managing agency, especially before a trip where a closure could change your plans.
Good picks for this: New River Gorge Trail Guide, Hiking and Biking in the New River Gorge: A Trail User’s Guide
Decide how broad your reference should be
A national or regional survey is useful for comparing destinations, but it gives less detail per trail. If the New River is your confirmed destination, a focused gorge guide saves time. If you are still choosing between places, a wider book helps with comparison.
Good picks for this: 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States, Rail-Trails Northern New England
FAQ
What are the best New River bike trails for beginners?
Beginners usually do best on gentler corridor and rail-trail routes, with clear surfaces and easy access. A trail guide that describes difficulty and surface, such as the gorge-focused books above, helps you pick a manageable first ride. Start with shorter loops and build distance.
Do I need a paper map if I have a phone?
Phone maps are convenient, but cell coverage can be patchy in deep river gorges. A printed map gives you a reliable backup. Download offline maps before you ride and carry a paper copy for orientation.
Is the blueway map useful if I am only biking?
It can be, especially for planning shuttles, access points and loops that touch the river. If your routes stay entirely on land, a trail guide or park map may be more useful.
Are rail-trail guides from other regions relevant to the New River?
They are useful for understanding rail-trail planning and surface descriptions, but they do not cover gorge routes. Treat them as reference material for regional or multi-trail trips.
How do I check whether a trail is open before I go?
Check current information from the managing park or agency before you travel, since closures and maintenance can change what is open. A printed guide gives you the layout, while official notices give you the current status.
What should I carry on a New River gorge ride?
Carry a map or trail guide, water, a repair kit, a charged phone with offline maps and weather-appropriate layers. Plan for limited cell service and tell someone your route and expected return time.
Can I combine a gorge ride with other nearby routes?
Yes, but plan connections carefully. Use a park-wide map to see where roads and trails link, and check distances before committing to a long loop. For wider route planning ideas, see the regional guides on this site.
Conclusion
For most riders planning New River bike trails, a dedicated gorge guide is the best starting point, because it keeps the information focused on where you will actually ride. Pair it with a park map for orientation and, if your plans involve the water, a blueway map for access points. Regional rail-trail guides and national singletrack surveys are useful for comparing destinations or building a longer trip, but they are not substitutes for local detail. Whatever you buy, verify current trail status with the managing agency before you go.
You may also find related route ideas in Rochester New York Bike Trails: 6 Best Routes for Every Rider, 6 Best Hudson River Bike Trails for Every Rider (2026), and Madison Bike Trails Map: 7 Routes and Where to Find Official Maps.
Sources
- Official New River Gorge National River information on trails, access, conditions and safety (nps.gov)
- Background on maps, topography and river hydrology relevant to planning river-adjacent routes (usgs.gov)
- Federal guidance on bicycle facilities and route design standards (fhwa.dot.gov)
About Colin Foster
Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our bike touring & bikepacking guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
