“Almost heaven, West Virginia.” John Denver sang that line in his 1971 song that eventually became an anthem of the Mountain State. With an area of 62,755 sq. km. (24,230 sq. mi), the natural wonder of West Virginia has been romanticised in the hit single titled Take Me Home Country Roads. What better way to experience it all than to venture into the great outdoors in the eastern state that is a part of the Appalachian region. With a state motto of “mountaineers are always free”, hiking and trekking are the best way to explore the West Virginia wilderness. Vast with trees, rivers, streams, lakes, and some of the best mountains there are to be explored, West Virginia is a wonderland for those raring to explore the great outdoors. From trails to natural parks, here are the best hiking and trekking spots in West Virginia, the USA.
1. Endless Wall Trail, Lansing
At the New River Gorge, a hiking route where you can stray away from the crowd with the name of Endless Wall Trail can be found. View the gorge from a height, trek through the hemlock forest, or follow the route that takes you to cliffs in the area for wall climbing. With a 2.7-mi (4.3 km) hike, Diamond Point is the place where priceless panoramic views of the gorge can be seen by everyone who ascend the trail. In the distance, you can gaze upon the Nuttall Sandstone with wall climbers that try to conquer it. From afar, the wall seemingly disappears around the bend in both directions. That is the reason why this place is called the Endless Wall!
Endless Wall Trail
Address: Lansing-Edmond Rd, Lansing, WV 25862
Price: Free
2. Lindy Point Trail, Thomas
In Blackwater Falls State Park, walk through the 0.8 mi (1.2 km) hiking trail with the name of Lindy Point Trail. Relatively easy with amazing views at the top, ascend and descend through the woods with spruce, hemlock, and hardwood that accompany you along with birds and other kinds of animals. At the top, an observation deck made of wood give those who visit a panoramic view of Blackwater Canyon and other beautiful natural spectacles.
Lindy Point Trail
Address: Canaan Loop Rd, Thomas, WV 26292, USA
Opening hours: 8am - 5:30pm or sundown (daily)
Price: 2 USD (per person); 4 USD (per vehicle)
3. Long Point Trail, Fayetteville
Those who successfully climb Long Point Trail will get a look at one of West Virginia’s most beautiful scenery at the top. New River Gorge Bridge with the surrounding greenery can be seen at the end of Long Point Trail after a hike of 2.9 mi (4.6 km). Be welcomed by wilfdflowers, continue to the trail with trees on every side, and head onto a steep rocky road at the end that finally takes you to the top for the promised view of a famous bridge in West Virginia.
Long Point Trail
Address: Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Seneca Rocks Trail, Seneca Rocks
In Monongahela National Forest, a trail to Seneca Rocks will take hikers into 900 ft (274 m) above the North Fork River. Seneca Rocks Trail with the distance of 3.2 mi (5.1 km) hike has an amazing view at the top just like the other trails on this list. The top of the trail will give you a wonderful view of green valleys in the Seneca area. If you can climb and have a climbing gear handy, you can go further up through the rocks. You can also stay for the night by camping at Seneca Shadows Campground.
Seneca Rocks Trail
Address: Seneca Rocks, WV 26884, USA
Price: Free
5. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Elkins
With 17,371 ac (7,030 ha) that extend in the Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area is a high-altitude plateau with 50 mi (80.4 km) of trails to hike or trek. Bear Rocks Trail is one of the hike routes that can get you to Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail with a distance of 6.5 mi (10.4 km). Bear Rocks Trail can also take you to Lion Head’s Loop where the Lion Head’s Rock can be seen. But it would take 19.6 mi (31.5 km)! There are shorter paths to the rock, one of it is through Blackbird Knob that takes about 14.9 mi (23.9 km) to hike.
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
Address: Forest Road 19, Elkins, WV
Price: Free
6. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, Harpers Ferry
John Denver sang it - the Shenandoah River is what makes West Virginia “almost heaven” to some. With Potomac River and other West Virginia natural beauty, Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is surely a must-visit for those who want to hike or trek through the 3,500 ac (1,416.4 ha) and 22 mi (35.4 km) of trail through West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Hike your way to the view of Shenandoah River through Murphy-Chambers Farm Trails with a distance of 3 mi (4.8 km) or Bolivar Heights Trail with 2.4 miles’ (3.9 km) distance that gives you a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Soaring through the sky, Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is home to the increasing population of Peregrine Falcon.
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Address: 171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD (per peson); 15 USD (per motorcycle); 20 USD (per vehicle)
7. Pinnacle Rock State Park, Bramwell
See Pinnacle Rock protruding from the land with trees covering the area. Welcome to Pinnacle Rock State Park where a giant 3,100-ft (945 m) sandstone can be seen in the middle of it all. Hike to the top through a total of a 6.4-mi (10.2 km) distance or have a relaxing day at Jimmy Lewis Lake through picnicking and maybe fishing. Cemetery Trail is one of the routes that can take you to the overlook at the top of Pinnacle Rock for a view of the state park.
Pinnacle Rock State Park
Address: 6470 Coal Heritage Rd, Bramwell, WV 24715, USA
Price: Free
8. Coopers Rock State Park, Bruceton Mills
An effortless hike can take you to one of the best views in West Virginia. Through Coppers Rock in Coopers Rock State Park, a 360-degree view of the park and beyond is there to gaze upon. With a name that came from a legend of a fugitive who hid among the park, the area features hiking trails with all levels of difficulty–from Coopers Rock State Forest Loop with a distance of 4.8 mi (7.7 km) to Clay Run Trail with a distance of 1.8 mi (2.8 km) that takes you to the historic pyramid-like Henry Clay Furnace.
Coopers Rock State Park
Address: 61 County Line Dr, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, USA
Website: Coopers Rock State Park
Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 2 USD (for single day use)
9. Watoga State Park, Marlinton
Located in Pocahontas County, Watoga State Park is the largest state park in West Virginia with an area that covers 10,100 ac (4,087.3 ha). Hike through trails such as the 1.8 mi(2.8 km) Arrowhead Trail that can take you to Anne Bailey’s Lookout Tower or the long voyage of forest through the 7.2 mi (11.5 km) Honeymoon Trail. Camping and staying at cabins are also the best things to do here where visitors can see and experience Watoga Lake.
Watoga State Park
Address: 800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954, USA
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 4pm
10. Audra State Park, Buckhannon
Last but not least in this list, Audra State Park is located where Middle Fork River passes through and the natural West Virginia beauty overflows. Woodlands and rhododendron await, hike your way to the park through Alum Creek and Cave Trail with a distance of 2.7 mi (4.3 km). Featuring creeks, trees, and Alum Cave, the park’s main spotlight for this spot is none other than the river where you can do activities like swimming or kayaking.
Audra State Park
Address: Audra, Buckhannon, WV 26201, USA
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
West Virginia's natural wonder welcomes you
Life is older than the tree and younger than the mountains, as John Denver sang in his hit song. West Virginia comes alive through its welcoming natural wonder, vast trees in all shades and colours, and mountains calling for those who climb. Forest, rivers, natural parks, and trails of all kinds can be found at West Virginia. Come visit the Mountain State and hike the day away!
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