West Virginia has so many beautiful hiking trails that it’s hard to decide where to start. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of trails we’ve featured in the past that we think are some of the best hikes in West Virginia. Make up your bucket list now, then get out there and enjoy the fresh air!

  1. Keeney’s Creek Trail: The Little Known Trail That’s The Perfect Place To Get Away From It All

Dennis Church/flickr This pretty, 6-mile-long trail will take you right into the heart of West Virginia’s most gorgeous scenery. You’ll see gurgling creeks and waterfalls, the remnants of the town of Nuttallburg, and an abandoned mine. For more information, read our full article here. Keeneys Creek Rail-Trail, West Virginia 25840, USA

  1. Island-In-The-Sky Trail: The Hike To A Hidden Pavilion

Dale Stafford/Panoramio This half-mile hike is steep, but it’s worth your effort. At the top, you’ll find a pavilion at an overlook. You’ll love the views! For more information, read our full article here. Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA

  1. Harpers Ferry: A Four-Mile Section Of The Appalachian Trail That’s Positively Delightful

MountainRail/Wikimedia This 4-mile section of the Appalachian Trail is one of the best! Harpers Ferry is the psychological halfway point for through-hikers, and it takes you right through the historic town of Harpers Ferry. For more information, read our full article here. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

  1. Castle Rock Trail: The Unrivaled Canyon Hike Everyone Should Take At Least Once

foto4lizzie/flickrCastle Rock trail The Grandview Area of New River Gorge National Park has some truly stunning views, and one of the best ways to see it is by hiking the Castle Rock Trail. It’s just over a half mile. For more information, read our full article here. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862, USA

  1. The Island Loop Trail: An Easy Hike That Will Lead You Somewhere Unforgettable

laserbub/flickr Take the Island Loop Trail around one of the islands at Sandstone Falls. You’ll access the island by walking on a boardwalk, then take the half-mile trail around the island to see the gorgeous waterfalls. For more information, read our full article here. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862, USA

  1. The Endless Wall Trail: The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of West Virginia

James Holloway/flickr This easy trail takes you along the rim of the New River Gorge. You’ll hike through forest, emerging every so often for a gorgeous view. The rock cliffs that surround this gorge really do seem endless. For more information, read our full article here. Endless Wall Trail, West Virginia, USA

  1. The North Bend Rail Trail: An Epic Abandoned Railroad Hike

Mike/flickr The railroad tracks from Grafton to Parkersburg are no longer used for trains. The rails have been replaced with a beautiful hiking trail that takes you through many of the railroad tunnels and over bridges. For more information, read our full article here. North Bend Rail-Trail, Salem, WV, USA

  1. WVU Core Arboretum Trail: The Wildflower Trail That’s Impossible Not To Love

WVU Core Arboretum Visit the WVU Core Arboretum in Morgantown this spring to see some spectacular wildflowers along the trails. They’re open from dawn to dusk, and there’s no admission charge! For more information, read our full article here. WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, Ampitheater Trail, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

What other hiking trails would you like to see us feature? We’d love to hear from you!

Dennis Church/flickr

This pretty, 6-mile-long trail will take you right into the heart of West Virginia’s most gorgeous scenery. You’ll see gurgling creeks and waterfalls, the remnants of the town of Nuttallburg, and an abandoned mine. For more information, read our full article here.

Keeneys Creek Rail-Trail, West Virginia 25840, USA

Dale Stafford/Panoramio

This half-mile hike is steep, but it’s worth your effort. At the top, you’ll find a pavilion at an overlook. You’ll love the views! For more information, read our full article here.

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

MountainRail/Wikimedia

This 4-mile section of the Appalachian Trail is one of the best! Harpers Ferry is the psychological halfway point for through-hikers, and it takes you right through the historic town of Harpers Ferry. For more information, read our full article here.

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

foto4lizzie/flickrCastle Rock trail

The Grandview Area of New River Gorge National Park has some truly stunning views, and one of the best ways to see it is by hiking the Castle Rock Trail. It’s just over a half mile. For more information, read our full article here.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862, USA

laserbub/flickr

Take the Island Loop Trail around one of the islands at Sandstone Falls. You’ll access the island by walking on a boardwalk, then take the half-mile trail around the island to see the gorgeous waterfalls. For more information, read our full article here.

James Holloway/flickr

This easy trail takes you along the rim of the New River Gorge. You’ll hike through forest, emerging every so often for a gorgeous view. The rock cliffs that surround this gorge really do seem endless. For more information, read our full article here.

Endless Wall Trail, West Virginia, USA

Mike/flickr

The railroad tracks from Grafton to Parkersburg are no longer used for trains. The rails have been replaced with a beautiful hiking trail that takes you through many of the railroad tunnels and over bridges. For more information, read our full article here.

North Bend Rail-Trail, Salem, WV, USA

WVU Core Arboretum

Visit the WVU Core Arboretum in Morgantown this spring to see some spectacular wildflowers along the trails. They’re open from dawn to dusk, and there’s no admission charge! For more information, read our full article here.

WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, Ampitheater Trail, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In West Virginia April 08, 2022 Meghan Byers What are some kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia? Ever wondered, “Are there any hiking trails near me I can do with the kids?” Hiking with small children presents its own unique set of challenges, but there are plenty of scenic hikes in West Virginia that you can do with the entire family in tow. Beartown State Park, for example, has a short, half-mile-long boardwalk trail that showcases the best of the park’s natural wonders and is easy enough for young kids to manage. You can also go geocaching at Beartown State Park to make your outdoor adventure extra exciting. Another, even shorter boardwalk trail is the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It’s ADA accessible and leads to multiple observation decks where you can enjoy the views of Sandstone Falls. Visit our guide to some more kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, or check out these state parks that are especially kid-friendly. What are some easy hikes in West Virginia? Just because it’s the Mountain State, it doesn’t mean you have to do any uphill scrambling to enjoy the great outdoors. Those who need a gentler path to West Virginia’s scenic views have plenty of options. For example, these low-key hikes have some spectacular payoffs without being too strenuous. What are the best state parks to visit in West Virginia? West Virginia has a total of 35 lovely state parks to visit, with stunning landscapes that include cascading brooks, rushing waterfalls, thickly forested mountainsides, verdant valleys, and so much more. Blackwater Falls State Park is a popular option, named for the 62-foot waterfall at the center of the park. You’ll also find cabins you can stay in, a gift shop, and a concessions stand. Hawks Nest State Park has a clifftop overlook offering scenic views of the New River and is popular for whitewater rafting. Audra State Park is a hidden gem in Barbour County, with lush forested trails, a beautiful river, and fascinating geological features. Visit our guide for an overview of 20 of West Virginia’s most magnificent state parks.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In West Virginia

April 08, 2022

Meghan Byers

What are some kid-friendly hikes around West Virginia? Ever wondered, “Are there any hiking trails near me I can do with the kids?” Hiking with small children presents its own unique set of challenges, but there are plenty of scenic hikes in West Virginia that you can do with the entire family in tow. Beartown State Park, for example, has a short, half-mile-long boardwalk trail that showcases the best of the park’s natural wonders and is easy enough for young kids to manage. You can also go geocaching at Beartown State Park to make your outdoor adventure extra exciting. Another, even shorter boardwalk trail is the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It’s ADA accessible and leads to multiple observation decks where you can enjoy the views of Sandstone Falls. Visit our guide to some more kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, or check out these state parks that are especially kid-friendly. What are some easy hikes in West Virginia? Just because it’s the Mountain State, it doesn’t mean you have to do any uphill scrambling to enjoy the great outdoors. Those who need a gentler path to West Virginia’s scenic views have plenty of options. For example, these low-key hikes have some spectacular payoffs without being too strenuous. What are the best state parks to visit in West Virginia? West Virginia has a total of 35 lovely state parks to visit, with stunning landscapes that include cascading brooks, rushing waterfalls, thickly forested mountainsides, verdant valleys, and so much more. Blackwater Falls State Park is a popular option, named for the 62-foot waterfall at the center of the park. You’ll also find cabins you can stay in, a gift shop, and a concessions stand. Hawks Nest State Park has a clifftop overlook offering scenic views of the New River and is popular for whitewater rafting. Audra State Park is a hidden gem in Barbour County, with lush forested trails, a beautiful river, and fascinating geological features. Visit our guide for an overview of 20 of West Virginia’s most magnificent state parks.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Ever wondered, “Are there any hiking trails near me I can do with the kids?” Hiking with small children presents its own unique set of challenges, but there are plenty of scenic hikes in West Virginia that you can do with the entire family in tow. Beartown State Park, for example, has a short, half-mile-long boardwalk trail that showcases the best of the park’s natural wonders and is easy enough for young kids to manage. You can also go geocaching at Beartown State Park to make your outdoor adventure extra exciting. Another, even shorter boardwalk trail is the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It’s ADA accessible and leads to multiple observation decks where you can enjoy the views of Sandstone Falls. Visit our guide to some more kid-friendly hikes in West Virginia, or check out these state parks that are especially kid-friendly.

What are some easy hikes in West Virginia?

Just because it’s the Mountain State, it doesn’t mean you have to do any uphill scrambling to enjoy the great outdoors. Those who need a gentler path to West Virginia’s scenic views have plenty of options. For example, these low-key hikes have some spectacular payoffs without being too strenuous.

What are the best state parks to visit in West Virginia?

West Virginia has a total of 35 lovely state parks to visit, with stunning landscapes that include cascading brooks, rushing waterfalls, thickly forested mountainsides, verdant valleys, and so much more. Blackwater Falls State Park is a popular option, named for the 62-foot waterfall at the center of the park. You’ll also find cabins you can stay in, a gift shop, and a concessions stand. Hawks Nest State Park has a clifftop overlook offering scenic views of the New River and is popular for whitewater rafting. Audra State Park is a hidden gem in Barbour County, with lush forested trails, a beautiful river, and fascinating geological features. Visit our guide for an overview of 20 of West Virginia’s most magnificent state parks.