Fernow is pronounced as FUR'-No.
The Fernow Experimental Forest - Parson Loop is a 19 mile bike loop that takes you through
a beautiful and uniquely managed woodland where you'll bike up one mountain,
pass along the edge of the Otter Creek Wilderness
then coast down a different mountain.
You'll also bike on part of the Allegheny Highlands Trail, pass within sight of four different rivers
and test your luck on a suspension footbridge. Ride surface is pavement, rail-trail, Forest Road and dual track.
The bike loop begins at
Mill Race Park in
Parsons, WV.
From the park go east on Route 219. After crossing the
Black Fork River
get on the
Allegheny Highlands Trail.
Leave the trail in
Hendricks
and take a
suspension footbridge to cross back over the Black Fork.
Watch your
step! From the bridge you can see the convergence
of the
Blackwater River
and the
Dry Fork.
Next take Brooklyn Heights Road to Forest Road 701 and the entrance of
Fernow Experimental Forest.
In succession you will take Forest Roads 701, 709 and 828. These will take you up McGowan
Mountain, through the Forest and down Fork Mountain.
At the base of Fork Mountain you leave the
Forest and get on County Road 41. This road runs along side
Shavers Fork as it heads to Parsons
where you return to the park and the beginning of the loop.
All information is presented without any assurance of accuracy. Use at your own risk.
Distance measurements are approximate.
All photos © 2008 J. Watson. All rights reserved.
Comments Welcomed. trails@wvbike.org
Last updated 5/3/2008
