There is no greater way to relax and leave your stress behind than embarking on one of the best hikes in West Virginia. And while there are tons of scenic hikes in West Virginia, these nine awesome trails are less than 5 miles. Providing an easy escape, these short, easy hikes in West Virginia could be easily squeezed in during your lunch hour.

  1. Carpendale Trail, 0.8 miles

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The Carpendale Trail may be just under one mile, but it’s packed with beauty. The trail straddles the Potomac River between the town of Carpendale in West Virginia and Cumberland in Maryland. The wooden bridge that spans the river is 386-feet long and leads to a 1,500-foot tunnel. The Carpendale Trail does close from time to time, so make sure to check its status before visiting. Carpendale Rail to Trail, Carpendale, WV, USA

  1. County Line Trail, 4 miles

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Located in Pipestem Resort State Park, the beautiful County Line Trail is 4-miles long. It goes from Waites Run to Gerhard Shelter. It runs along the West Virginia/Virginia border and offers amazing views. Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA

  1. Harpers Ferry Rail Trail, 0.14 miles

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The Harpers Ferry Rail Trail spans the Potomac River. This pedestrian walking bridge allows access between Harpers Ferry and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park. It also connects to the Appalachian Trail. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

  1. Marion County Trail, 2.5 miles

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Better known as the MCT Trail, the Marion County Trail runs just short of 3 miles along Prickett’s Creek. The trail’s main attraction is the 1,200-foot lighted Meredith Tunnel. Marion County Trail (Mctrail), Fairmont, WV 26554, USA

  1. Narrow Gauge Trail, 3 Miles

TrailLink/rtcfrederick The Narrow Gauge trail runs through the beautiful Babcock State Park. The trail is used by hikers and bikers, but if you are not an accomplished cyclist you may want to hike this trail; it is a pretty rough ride on a bike. Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA

  1. Potts Valley Rail Trail, 4.5 miles

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The Potts Valley Rail Trail was created on an abandoned section of the Norfolk and Western Branch rail line. The rail line was used in the early 1900s to haul lumber and iron ore. Most of the trail runs through the gorgeous George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Potts Valley Rail Trail, Potts Valley Rail Trl, West Virginia 24984, USA

  1. Seneca Creek Trail, 5 miles

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The beautiful Seneca Creek Trail is located in Spruce Knob. The 5-mile trail will take you past waterfalls and some of the region’s best creek trout fishing. Seneca Creek Trail, West Virginia 26814, USA

  1. Wellsburg Yankee Trail, 2.2 miles

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The Wellsburg Yankee Trail spans the entire length of the small town. The trail is paved and runs into the Brooke Pioneer Trail, which is 7-miles long. Wellsburg, WV 26070, USA

  1. Hawks Nest Rail Trail, 1.8 miles

Trip Advisor
The Hawks Nest Rail Trail is in Hawks Nest State Park located near Ansted. The trail runs along Mill Creek, which features several waterfalls. Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA

Each of these trails offers a real taste of West Virginia’s natural beauty. What are you waiting for? Grab your backpack and hiking shoes and embark on one of the best hikes in West Virginia!

Facebook Jon Snyder

The Carpendale Trail may be just under one mile, but it’s packed with beauty. The trail straddles the Potomac River between the town of Carpendale in West Virginia and Cumberland in Maryland. The wooden bridge that spans the river is 386-feet long and leads to a 1,500-foot tunnel. The Carpendale Trail does close from time to time, so make sure to check its status before visiting.

Carpendale Rail to Trail, Carpendale, WV, USA

Facebook Lost River Trading Post

Located in Pipestem Resort State Park, the beautiful County Line Trail is 4-miles long. It goes from Waites Run to Gerhard Shelter. It runs along the West Virginia/Virginia border and offers amazing views.

Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA

Facebook Glen Haney

The Harpers Ferry Rail Trail spans the Potomac River. This pedestrian walking bridge allows access between Harpers Ferry and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park. It also connects to the Appalachian Trail.

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

Facebook Jill Campbell Sanders

Better known as the MCT Trail, the Marion County Trail runs just short of 3 miles along Prickett’s Creek. The trail’s main attraction is the 1,200-foot lighted Meredith Tunnel.

Marion County Trail (Mctrail), Fairmont, WV 26554, USA

TrailLink/rtcfrederick

The Narrow Gauge trail runs through the beautiful Babcock State Park. The trail is used by hikers and bikers, but if you are not an accomplished cyclist you may want to hike this trail; it is a pretty rough ride on a bike.

Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA

Facebook Brenda Duff

The Potts Valley Rail Trail was created on an abandoned section of the Norfolk and Western Branch rail line. The rail line was used in the early 1900s to haul lumber and iron ore. Most of the trail runs through the gorgeous George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Potts Valley Rail Trail, Potts Valley Rail Trl, West Virginia 24984, USA

Facebook Michael Ciccone

The beautiful Seneca Creek Trail is located in Spruce Knob. The 5-mile trail will take you past waterfalls and some of the region’s best creek trout fishing.

Seneca Creek Trail, West Virginia 26814, USA

Facebook Jennifer Howe Waugh

The Wellsburg Yankee Trail spans the entire length of the small town. The trail is paved and runs into the Brooke Pioneer Trail, which is 7-miles long.

Wellsburg, WV 26070, USA

Trip Advisor

The Hawks Nest Rail Trail is in Hawks Nest State Park located near Ansted. The trail runs along Mill Creek, which features several waterfalls.

Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA

Looking for more easy treks in the state? You’re sure to love these short, kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In West Virginia April 22, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are some other can’t-miss scenic hikes in West Virginia? When it comes to scenic hikes in West Virginia, the Canyon Rim Overlook ranks pretty high up there – both literally and figuratively! The short out-and-back trail (it’s just three-fifths of a mile) is a favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it’s rated as “easy” and is a great trail for all skill levels. And then, there are the views. Boasting a mix of man-made and natural beauty, the trail offers incredible views of the New River Gorge National River as well as the New River Gorge Bridge – the longest single-span bridge in the nation. What are the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia? The Gentle Trail is definitely one of the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia. The name says it all! Nestled within Blackwater Falls State Park, the short, paved trail is just a quarter-mile and leads straight to an observation deck that overlooks Blackwater Falls. True to its name, the 57-foot cascade boasts dark-hued water. Don’t worry, though. The water isn’t dirty. The dark coloring is actually caused by the tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Aside from scenic hikes in West Virginia, where else can I enjoy the great outdoors? There seems to be no shortage of options for outdoor enthusiasts in West Virginia. One spot that shouldn’t be missed is Beartown State Park. Not especially large, the park encompasses just 110 acres; however, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Brimming with breathtaking beauty, the natural area is known for its lovely landscape, which features rocky formations, massive boulders, deep crevices, and overhanging cliffs. Visitors can easily take in the park’s stunning sights via a half-mile boardwalk trail. It should be noted that Beartown State Park is open seasonally, April – October.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In West Virginia

April 22, 2022

Daniella DiRienzo

What are some other can’t-miss scenic hikes in West Virginia? When it comes to scenic hikes in West Virginia, the Canyon Rim Overlook ranks pretty high up there – both literally and figuratively! The short out-and-back trail (it’s just three-fifths of a mile) is a favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it’s rated as “easy” and is a great trail for all skill levels. And then, there are the views. Boasting a mix of man-made and natural beauty, the trail offers incredible views of the New River Gorge National River as well as the New River Gorge Bridge – the longest single-span bridge in the nation. What are the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia? The Gentle Trail is definitely one of the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia. The name says it all! Nestled within Blackwater Falls State Park, the short, paved trail is just a quarter-mile and leads straight to an observation deck that overlooks Blackwater Falls. True to its name, the 57-foot cascade boasts dark-hued water. Don’t worry, though. The water isn’t dirty. The dark coloring is actually caused by the tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Aside from scenic hikes in West Virginia, where else can I enjoy the great outdoors? There seems to be no shortage of options for outdoor enthusiasts in West Virginia. One spot that shouldn’t be missed is Beartown State Park. Not especially large, the park encompasses just 110 acres; however, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Brimming with breathtaking beauty, the natural area is known for its lovely landscape, which features rocky formations, massive boulders, deep crevices, and overhanging cliffs. Visitors can easily take in the park’s stunning sights via a half-mile boardwalk trail. It should be noted that Beartown State Park is open seasonally, April – October.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

When it comes to scenic hikes in West Virginia, the Canyon Rim Overlook ranks pretty high up there – both literally and figuratively! The short out-and-back trail (it’s just three-fifths of a mile) is a favorite for a couple of reasons. First, it’s rated as “easy” and is a great trail for all skill levels. And then, there are the views. Boasting a mix of man-made and natural beauty, the trail offers incredible views of the New River Gorge National River as well as the New River Gorge Bridge – the longest single-span bridge in the nation.

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia?

The Gentle Trail is definitely one of the best kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia. The name says it all! Nestled within Blackwater Falls State Park, the short, paved trail is just a quarter-mile and leads straight to an observation deck that overlooks Blackwater Falls. True to its name, the 57-foot cascade boasts dark-hued water. Don’t worry, though. The water isn’t dirty. The dark coloring is actually caused by the tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.

Aside from scenic hikes in West Virginia, where else can I enjoy the great outdoors?

There seems to be no shortage of options for outdoor enthusiasts in West Virginia. One spot that shouldn’t be missed is Beartown State Park. Not especially large, the park encompasses just 110 acres; however, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Brimming with breathtaking beauty, the natural area is known for its lovely landscape, which features rocky formations, massive boulders, deep crevices, and overhanging cliffs. Visitors can easily take in the park’s stunning sights via a half-mile boardwalk trail. It should be noted that Beartown State Park is open seasonally, April – October.