Let me tell you something straight — West Virginia isn’t for the faint of heart. You don’t hike the Mountain State unless you’ve got grit in your boots and a plan in your pack. I’ve spent years trekking through this rough, wild terrain — part hiking enthusiast, part survival prepper — and believe me when I say: these trails are stunning, remote, and absolutely unforgiving.
You want views? You’ll get views. But you better be ready to fight the land for ’em. You better have your knife sharp, your water purified, and your mind clear. Because in West Virginia, one wrong step could turn your scenic Saturday hike into a medevac situation.
That’s not an exaggeration. People have gone missing in these hills. Some never come back. But for folks like me — those who love the sweat, the solitude, and the sharp edge of risk — that’s what makes these trails worth walking. Here’s my list of the top 20 hiking trails in West Virginia that offer jaw-dropping beauty, unforgettable moments, and yes… a real chance of danger if you’re not ready for what’s out there.
🔥 Top 20 West Virginia Hiking Trails— Ranked by Beauty, Brutality & Survival Factor
1. North Fork Mountain Trail
Location: Monongahela National Forest
Length: ~24 miles
Why it might kill you: Knife-edge ridgelines, limited water sources, and sudden weather shifts. Remote and exposed.
2. Seneca Rocks Trail
Location: Monongahela National Forest
Length: 3.5 miles round trip
Why it might kill you: Sheer drop-offs and high winds. The overlook is no place for clumsy footing or fear of heights.
3. The Endless Wall Trail
Location: New River Gorge
Length: ~2.5 miles
Why it might kill you: Cliffside views and minimal railings. One slip near Diamond Point and you’re airborne.
4. Spruce Knob via Huckleberry Trail
Location: Highest point in WV
Length: ~9 miles
Why it might kill you: Fast-moving fog, high winds, and remote wilderness. Cell signal? Not a chance.
5. Otter Creek Wilderness Loop
Location: Monongahela National Forest
Length: ~17 miles
Why it might kill you: Poorly marked trails, thick brush, and real risk of getting turned around. Always carry a compass.
6. Cranberry Wilderness (Big Beechy Loop)
Location: Cranberry Wilderness
Length: ~16+ miles
Why it might kill you: No cell service, bear territory, and easy to miscalculate water needs. It’s a beautiful beast.
7. Rocky Ridge Trail
Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Length: ~3 miles
Why it might kill you: Loose rock and quick changes in elevation. It’s easy, until it’s not.
8. Mary Ingles Trail
Location: Follows the New River
Length: ~4.5 miles
Why it might kill you: Dense forest, riverbanks, and historic flood zones. A great place to test your wildcraft skills.
9. Bear Rocks Preserve (Dolly Sods Wilderness)
Location: Dolly Sods
Length: Variable
Why it might kill you: Sudden weather changes and boggy terrain that eats boots. Navigation is a nightmare in fog.
10. Bald Knob Trail
Location: Cass Scenic Railroad
Length: ~11 miles round trip
Why it might kill you: Altitude, exposure, and rail-grade climbs. Get caught in a storm here and it’s you vs. the elements.
11. Red Creek Trail
Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness
Length: ~7.4 miles
Why it might kill you: Mud, river crossings, and deep isolation. Pure backcountry with no support.
12. Kaymoor Miners Trail
Location: New River Gorge
Length: ~1.6 miles
Why it might kill you: Over 800 grueling stairs into an abandoned mining town. Slippery when wet. Haunting when dry.
13. Allegheny Trail (WV Section)
Location: Statewide
Length: 330 miles (WV portion ~250 miles)
Why it might kill you: It’s long. It’s remote. It’s wild. You better know how to survive for weeks on foot.
14. Long Point Trail
Location: New River Gorge
Length: ~3.2 miles
Why it might kill you: Lures you in easy — then hits you with narrow bluffs and big exposure.
15. Southside Trail
Location: New River Gorge
Length: ~7 miles
Why it might kill you: Follows the river closely. Flash floods and slick rocks turn this into a trap if you’re not alert.
16. Shay Trace Trail (Beech Fork State Park)
Location: Near Huntington
Length: ~5 miles
Why it might kill you: Overgrowth, copperheads, and tick-rich zones. Bring DEET — and a snake bite kit.
17. Bickle Knob Fire Tower Trail
Location: Monongahela NF
Length: ~1 mile
Why it might kill you: The tower climb itself. Not for the vertigo-prone or structurally anxious.
18. Hawks Nest Rail Trail
Location: Hawks Nest State Park
Length: ~1.8 miles
Why it might kill you: Easy on paper — but rockfall zones and slick slopes say otherwise.
19. Twin Falls Loop Trail
Location: Twin Falls Resort State Park
Length: ~4 miles
Why it might kill you: Steep switchbacks and washed-out sections in spring. Falls are worth it — if you make it.
20. Blackbird Knob Trail
Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness
Length: ~4.5 miles
Why it might kill you: No trail markers, marshy zones, sudden fog. One wrong turn and you’re dinner for the bears.
🧭 Survival Tips for Hiking in West Virginia
Look — I love this land. I wouldn’t trade these trails for all the beaches and boardwalks in the world. But let me lay it down clear: the Appalachian wilderness doesn’t care about your Instagram. Here’s what I carry every time I set foot on these trails:
- Water filter or purifier: Springs look clean — until they give you Giardia.
- Topo map + compass: GPS dies. Paper doesn’t.
- Knife, ferro rod, and emergency blanket: Lightweight, lifesaving gear.
- Bear spray: Not just for bears. Coyotes, too.
- Paracord and duct tape: Fix gear, build shelter, sling a twisted ankle.
- High-calorie trail food: Jerky, nuts, honey packets. Fuel is survival.
- First aid kit with tourniquet: Not just Band-Aids. You need trauma gear.
- Knowledge. The most important thing you carry is in your head.
🌲 Final Word from the Trail
If you’re the kind of person who reads a title like “These Trails Might Kill You” and says, “Let me lace up” — welcome to the tribe.
But respect the trail. West Virginia’s backcountry can be cruel. The rocks are sharp, the climbs are brutal, and the weather has a wicked sense of humor. You don’t hike these trails — you earn them.
And when you stand on a ridgeline, breath heaving, sweat dripping, staring out over miles of untouched wilderness… you’ll know it was worth it.
Just don’t forget: Nature is beautiful. But she’s not your friend.
TheDailyChristian 