A destination suited more for golfers and nature seekers than mountain bikers.
10/29/05 - by Christopher Burk, Outdoor Travels
If you ever need to plan an outing to a place that offers a little bit of everything, then Twin Falls Resort should definitely be on your list. Tucked back in the mountains of Southern West Virginia, visitors have their choice of playing golf on an 18-hole championship course that winds along a valley stream, hiking out to the two falls that give the park its name, picnicking at one of the park’s three shelters, or just relaxing with a piece of history at the Pioneer Farm. About the only thing missing is a lake. There is a pool but I doubt they would appreciate you practicing your Eskimo rolls there.
With all due respect those are all worthy pursuits and are well represented at Twin Falls. But those are not the reasons why we came to Twin Falls. We came to check out the mountain biking.
We rode Moonshiners and Rocky Road Trails but our rather small sampling really wasn’t enough to get a true feel for what Twin Falls has to offer in way of mountain biking.
What we did ride wasn’t bad. Both trails feature a pretty typical mixture of West Virginia single-track, some nice downhill sections, a couple of taxing climbs and the occasional abandoned vehicle out in the middle of nowhere. About the only thing missing was the really technical stuff. The most challenging aspect of the trail was trying to keep track of it. Riding at the end of October means a serious amount of leaf litter.
Because the trails are spread out all over the park, we only experienced a very small slice of what Twin Falls has to offer. And it really isn’t fair to base a complete review on such a small sampling. What we did ride left us rather uninspired and the park is a good ways off the beaten path. With so many other places to ride in West Virginia I’m not sure if I’ll have a chance to get back to Twin Falls anytime soon but I should just to really experience what the park has to offer. And, if you ever find yourself headed to Twin Falls, by all means, make sure you bring your bike.
click on any picture above for a larger view
Trail Snapshot
Trail(s): Thirteen scenic trails spread throughout the park function as both hiking and biking trails.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Outdoor Travels Rating: 2.75 out of 5 bikes
Thumbs Up
- Several trails make loops of varying lengths allowing you to tailor your ride accordingly.
- A wide variety of trails to choose from.
Thumbs Down
- There is no one central location where you can access all the trails.
- Trail junction markers are not the easiest to find. The low-key double diamonds keep the natural feel in tact but are tough to find when you’re flying down a fire service road.
Nuts and Bolts
Location: Twin Falls is located southwest of Beckley. Exit I-64/I77 at Exit 42. From the Exit Ramp turn right onto Rt 16 South/Rt 97 West. Drive approximately 3.5 miles on Rt 16 South/Rt 97 West. Bear right onto Rt 54 South towards Mullens. Drive approximately 15 miles on Rt 54 South. At Maben, about a quarter of a mile past Maben Easy Stop, turn right onto Rt 97 West. Drive 5.5 miles on Rt 97 West. About a quarter of a mile past the Exxon Station you will come to a STOP sign. Turn left onto Bear Hole Road.
Operational Dates: Open all year.
Facilities: Twin Falls Lodge, picnic shelters with playgrounds nearby and the pro shop at the golf course. The seasonal Contact Center houses a laundromat, small store with convenience items and camper registration area.
Activities: Hiking, biking, golf, nature programs and Pioneer Farm.
Accommodations: Visitors can choose from the Twin Falls lodge offering 20 air conditioned rooms, 14 secluded two-, three- or four bedroom cottages or reserve one of the 50 campsites complete with grills and picnic tables.
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