The Athens Conservancy has, to date, purchased about 13 miles of the former B&O Railroad grade in Athens, Waterloo, Rome and Troy Townships (several miles of which were transferred to the County in 2015). The portions of the rail grade in Athens and Waterloo Townships were acquired in the hope that they will contribute to an eventual connection between the Moonville Rail-Trail and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.
The long-term plan for the portions in Rome and Troy Township is to connect them with both the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway in Athens and the North Bend Rail-Trail in Parkersburg. From Parkersburg, it is possible to bicycle most of the way to Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. on existing trails. It is also hoped that this route will eventually be extended northwest to Columbus.
People may now access the portions of this rail-trail that are owned by the Conservancy or the County. Much of it is easily walkable now, and the County-owned portion in Troy Township has been cleared and graded.
More information and maps can be found at the Athens-Belpre Rail-Trail website.
