IR 81

Total Miles
1.9

Technical Rating

6

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Fall, Summer, Winter

Trail Type

60" Trail

Accessible By

Trail Overview

Trail 81 begins with a steep, shelfy descent along scenic rock walls, where loose rocks cover much of the trail surface. When riding clockwise, there's an unmarked right turn about 0.6 miles in that is easy to miss, otherwise you'll keep descending down to the town of Powhatan. After making the correct turn, the trail advances in difficulty, climbing sharply through rutted terrain with loose rock of all sizes. It narrows along a shelf, weaving through forested terrain with loamy soil and scenic rock outcroppings at the trail's edge. A few major rock obstacles stand out: one is a rock shelf up to 3 feet tall on a very steep incline, approached through ruts and holes; another is a rock shelf next to a root band that makes traction more difficult. This trail is suited for highly skilled riders looking for a fun challenge.

Photos of IR 81

IR 81
IR 81

Difficulty

This is a 6 difficulty because it has rock shelves up to 3 feet tall, loose, rutted hills, and root bands. Note that this is considered Most Difficult by Hatfield McCoy's rating system.

Technical Rating

6

IR 81 can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • SxS (60")
  • ATV (50")
  • Dirt Bike

Access Description

The Indian Ridge Trail System within Hatfield-McCoy spans between the towns of Northfork and Ashland, West Virginia. The main staging area is in Ashland, with a 2-acre parking lot with restrooms. Permits can be purchased at the Ashland Resort and are valid until December 31st of that year. There is food, fuel, and lodging in the towns of Ashland, Northfork, and Keystone. Overnight camping is not allowed at the trailheads, but there are numerous RV resorts, hotels, and restaurants available in the nearby small towns. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System spans seven counties and ten trailheads in southern West Virginia through terrain rooted in the region's rich coal mining history.

IR 81 Map

Popular Trails

The onX Offroad Difference

onX Offroad combines trail photos, descriptions, difficulty ratings, width restrictions, seasonality, and more in a user-friendly interface. Available on all devices, with offline access and full compatibility with CarPlay and Android Auto. Discover what you’re missing today!