KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – A first-of-its-kind dirt bike course opened near Tornado on Tuesday, marking the first Hatfield-McCoy Trails in Kanawha County.

These new trails are only for dirt bikes and e-bikes and give riders a more scenic route of exploring the great outdoors of West Virginia.

The trails also offer professional riders an opportunity to train right in their backyard. Some riders say they’re already stoked to get on the new trails.

One of those riders is 9-year-old Jarrett Tincher. He’s been riding since he was 3-years-old, and now, he’s the 2023 Motorcross National Champion for his age division.

“It’s going to be a lot skinnier and a lot more turns,” Jarrett said. “My dad had a bike, and he took me on a track and I liked riding with him … You don’t start as fast as when you finish. You keep pushing hard until you do good.”

Jarrett and other riders say the new trails bring a lot to Kanawha County.

The project was two years in the making. John Fekete, Hatfield-McCoy Trails deputy executive director says part of the reason it took that long is these trails are made by hand.

“This one was probably one of the most difficult trails we put in because it was all done by hand. We didn’t really use any heavy equipment. Our staff members really got out there and hustled,” Fekete said.

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Just last year, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails sold more than 92,000 passes. They say 80% of those were bought from out-of-state riders. However, Kanawha County Commission President Lance Wheeler says it’s important to have close-to-home opportunities for local riders like Jarrett.

“This is obviously economic development,” said Kanawha County Commission President Lance Wheeler. “Having this trail system for him (Jarrett Tincher) as a dirt biker, as a pro rider, as a national champion, right here in Kanawha County, having a place that he can come to, just couple minutes away from his house and be proud that he has it here in his home, I think that’s important to me.”

Whether you’re just starting out, or a pro rider like Jarrett, you do need permits to ride on the new trails. Those permits can be purchased at the Coal River Group Welcome Center, and are good for all Hatfield-McCoy trails in the state.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOWK 13 News.