Ballard Trail

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Ballard Trail is a fast descent off of Middle Ridge Road and ending on County Rd. 23/15, close to the Kanawha State Forest rifle range.

Ballard starts from Middle Ridge Rd. (Forest Rd. 801) If you're riding Middle Ridge Trail from the front of the forest, when Middle Ridge Trail crosses Middle Ridge Rd. for the second time, instead of continuing on the trail, turn left and stay on the road. Ballad Trail will be on your left a short distance up the road, and is marked (the sign may say Pole Cat Tr. and/or Ballard Tr.) This is also the starting point for Pole Cat Trail.

Ballard starts off ridge running, and then drops down and runs along the bottom side of a cliff line. This middle section is technical, with narrow lines and lots of rocks. The bottom section of the trail is a relatively straight, fast run down the hill to the road. Once on County Rd. 23/15, you can go left and ride along the road to where Middle Ridge Rd. meets the paved road and go back up the hill or continue on to the parking lot at the front of Kanawha State Forest. Alternatively, you can turn right and ride the road past the shooting range and climb back up to Hoffman Hollow to Middle Ridge Road at the rear of Kanawha State Forest.