Looking for a place to walk in nature in West Virginia? You have plenty of choices. This state is mostly forests, after all. Here are 12 specific trails that you definitely need to check out.
- Rend (Thurmond-Minden) Trail
NPS A 6.4-mile trail through the New River Gorge with views of Dunloup Creek, the New River, and the near ghost town of Thurmond. According to the National Parks Service, it’s a great trail for hikers of all fitness levels and for beginner mountain bikers. Note: portions of the trail are closed due to structural damage on a trail bridge and safety concerns.
- Endless Wall Trail
atiyah79 A 2.4-mile trail that partly overlooks the New River from a cliff ledge. It was recently voted best national park hike in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
- Overlook Rock Trail at Kanawha State Forest
Elaine J. A steep, 1.5 mile trail that starts just south of the pool and ends in #2 Store Hollow, according to its website. It follows an access road for a while and then heads south.
- Laurel Creek Trail at Little Beaver State Park
A 2.6-mile trail (strenuous, according to TripAdvisor) that’s good for hiking, running or biking. Wildlife including deer and squirrels are commonly seen.
- The Appalachian Trail at Harpers Ferry
Robert Sutherland/ The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Only about four miles of the Appalachian Trail runs through West Virginia, in Harpers Ferry. It passes within 1/4 mile of the trail headquarters then crosses the Shenandoah River and straddles the Virginia/ West Virginia border for 15 miles, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It also straddles the states’ borders near the New River.
- Cranberry Wilderness Loop
Jaknouse A 25-mile trail through the beautiful Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. The wilderness is also a bear sanctuary.
- Breathed Mountain Loop in the Dolly Sods Wilderness
Forestwander A 16-mile trail through the gorgeous Dolly Sods Wilderness area.
- Otter Creek Trail
Brian M. Powell An 11-mile trail in the Otter Creek Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. It’s the largest trail in the wilderness.
- The Greenbrier River Trail
Jasonhomey/Tripadvisor This 78-mile trail is used for hiking, biking, backpacking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. It mostly goes along the river and so there are many opportunities for fishing and swimming, according to the West Virginia State Park system, which oversees the trail.
- Allegheny Mountain Trail at Spruce Knob
Kenneth E. Harker A 12-mile hike in the Spruce Knob area of West Virginia. The trail follows the ridge of Allegheny Mountain through hardware forests and clearings, according to the National Park Service
- Long Point Trail near Fayetteville
Flickr/Gene A 1.6 mile trail that has great views of the New River Gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge
- Any of the trails at Coopers Rock State Forest
Ildaesusa/ Tripadvisor Coopers Rock State Forest in Monongalia and Preston counties has nearly 50 miles of well-developed hiking trails that offer great views like this one.
How many of these hiking trails have you been on? Do you have a favorite? If your favorite didn’t make the list, tell me what it is below in the comments.
NPS
A 6.4-mile trail through the New River Gorge with views of Dunloup Creek, the New River, and the near ghost town of Thurmond. According to the National Parks Service, it’s a great trail for hikers of all fitness levels and for beginner mountain bikers. Note: portions of the trail are closed due to structural damage on a trail bridge and safety concerns.
atiyah79
A 2.4-mile trail that partly overlooks the New River from a cliff ledge. It was recently voted best national park hike in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Elaine J.
A steep, 1.5 mile trail that starts just south of the pool and ends in #2 Store Hollow, according to its website. It follows an access road for a while and then heads south.
A 2.6-mile trail (strenuous, according to TripAdvisor) that’s good for hiking, running or biking. Wildlife including deer and squirrels are commonly seen.
Robert Sutherland/ The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Only about four miles of the Appalachian Trail runs through West Virginia, in Harpers Ferry. It passes within 1/4 mile of the trail headquarters then crosses the Shenandoah River and straddles the Virginia/ West Virginia border for 15 miles, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It also straddles the states’ borders near the New River.
Jaknouse
A 25-mile trail through the beautiful Cranberry Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. The wilderness is also a bear sanctuary.
Forestwander
A 16-mile trail through the gorgeous Dolly Sods Wilderness area.
Brian M. Powell
An 11-mile trail in the Otter Creek Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. It’s the largest trail in the wilderness.
Jasonhomey/Tripadvisor
This 78-mile trail is used for hiking, biking, backpacking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. It mostly goes along the river and so there are many opportunities for fishing and swimming, according to the West Virginia State Park system, which oversees the trail.
Kenneth E. Harker
A 12-mile hike in the Spruce Knob area of West Virginia. The trail follows the ridge of Allegheny Mountain through hardware forests and clearings, according to the National Park Service
Flickr/Gene
A 1.6 mile trail that has great views of the New River Gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge
Ildaesusa/ Tripadvisor
Coopers Rock State Forest in Monongalia and Preston counties has nearly 50 miles of well-developed hiking trails that offer great views like this one.
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