Brooke Pioneer Trail

Along the Ohio River from Short Creek, 2 miles north Pike Island Dam, to Wellsburg

Located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, this trail is along the east bank of the Ohio River, very close to western Pennsylvania. The Brooke County Pioneer trail starts at Short Creek on the Brooke Country Line and goes northward for 6.9 miles to the town boundary of Wellsburg where it connect seamlessly with the Yankee Trail.

Brooke Pioneer Trail

Location Short Creek on the Brooke Country Line, northward to south edge of Wellsburg

Trailheads Wellsburg, Pike Island Lock and Dam

Length, Surface 6.9 miles paved

Character Uncrowded, rural, some sunny sections, some wooded, flat

Usage restrictions No motorized vehicles

Amenities None

Driving time from Pittsburgh 48 minutes

The Brooke trail’s mile post zero is at the southern end of the bridge at Short Creek where it connects to the Wheeling Trail. The trail is cut into the hillside on the bank of the Ohio River. Just up the bank a slight distance is another bench which used to have a trolley on it. Further up the bank is Route WV 2.

It starts out in the sun close to highway US2. Shortly after crossing the Short Ck Bridge there is a small park (MP 0.2) with a gazebo and an outhouse. Around MP 1.5 the trail transitonons to woods cut into the hillside on the bank of the Ohio River. Just up the bank a slight distance is another bench which used to have a trolley line on it. Further up the bank is Route WV 2 At MP 2.2 is Ruby Park, a very small park with access to the river and an outhouse. At MP 3.3 is the requisite sewer plant. The yellow circle painted on the trail at MP 3.9 is the start of an astronomical display; it represents Neptune. The display ends with the sun at MP 6.9 with the remaining planets painted at their appropriately scaled intervals. Some of them have bee paved over. Hopefully the trail group will repaint the missing ones.

Between MP 4.0 and 4.4 the trail is in the open again with some light industry alongside, include a large dog kennel operation, an RV Park and campground. At 4.4 WV 2 starts to climbs away from the trail and goes further up the bank leaving the trail to run through woods.

There is a new (2024) highway bridge across the Ohio River at mile marker 5.7. At 5.8 there is a ramp leading up to the bridge and the northern sidewalk across the bridge.

The Brooke trail ends at MP 6.9 and connects to the Yankee Trail that continues northward through the town of Wellsburg.

There are numerous benches and interpretive markers along the Brooke Trail.

Local history, attractions

Planet walk along the trail between mile post 3.9 and 6.9.

Extensions of the ride

The northern end of the trail connects seamlessly with the Yankee Trail (2.3 miles long) (page SW-77 which travels through Wellsburg and maybe someday will continue to Weirton.

The soutern end of the trail connects seamlessly with the Wheeling Trail (page SW-85.

At mile post 5.8 the Wellsburg Bridge crosses the Oho River into Ohio. We have not explored the crossing and what is on the other side.

Access points

Vicinity: Directions begin headed westbound on US22 at the PA-WV state line. To reach this point from Pittsburgh, go north on I279/I376. Follow signs to US22 West.

Wellsburg Northern trailhead: MP6.8 (40.2628,-80.6156)

Wellsburg Bridge Trailhead: MP5.8 (40.255,-80.6309) MP5.8 (40.255,-80.6309)

Ironman/Short Creek trailhead: MP0.3 (40.1862,-80.6746)

Amenities

Rest rooms, water: in the town park on the south end of Wellsburg. Outhouse at mile 0.2 and 2.2

Bike shop, rentals: none

Restaurant, groceries: Kroger supermarket at the 27 St in Wellsburg. Several restaurants in Wellsburg, both along Charles Street and US2. Also marina restaurant at 12 th St and the river.

Camping, simple lodging: Blue Chip Motel on the south end of town

Swimming, fishing: Fishing in Ohio River. We have no information on water quality.

Wheelchair access: Good. Trail is paved and flat. The connection to the Yankee Trail in Wellsburg, has an up and down grade, where the trail drops about 20 feet from railroad grade to street level and back to railroad grade.

Trail organization

Brooke Pioneer Trail Association

PO Box 401

Wellsburg, WV 26070

www.brookepioneertrail.20megsfree.com/index.html

Maps, guides, other references

USGS Topographic Maps: Titonsville, Steubenville West, Steubenville East

Version

Text version of 22 Dec 2024 based on personal observation while bicycling Brooke Trail 6/2024 Conditions may have changed; you are responsible for your own safety. Oldest segment check 6/2024.