Best Hikes in West Virginia

West Virginia hiking benefits from the state's total immersion in the Appalachians, offering everything from gorge-rim trails to high-plateau wilderness walks within its eastern highlands and New River Gorge regions.

Spruce Knob Summit Trail

The short trail to the summit of Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest point, rewards hikers with sweeping views across the Monongahela National Forest with minimal elevation gain, making it one of the most accessible high-point hikes in the eastern United States.

Dolly Sods Wilderness Trails

Trails through Dolly Sods cross a high, wind-scoured plateau of heath barrens and stunted red spruce, an ecosystem that feels closer to Canada than to the mid-Atlantic and remains one of the most ecologically distinctive hiking experiences in the eastern U.S.

Endless Wall Trail

Along the rim of New River Gorge, the Endless Wall Trail follows a sandstone cliff line with repeated overlooks down into the gorge, giving hikers some of the best gorge views in the park without a strenuous descent.

Seneca Rocks Trail

A trail on the back side of Seneca Rocks climbs to an observation platform near the top of the formation, giving non-climbers a way to experience the ridge's dramatic exposure and views without technical rock climbing.

Cranberry Glades Boardwalk

A flat boardwalk trail through Cranberry Glades Botanical Area crosses a rare high-elevation bog ecosystem, home to plant species more typical of much more northern latitudes, giving hikers an easy walk through one of West Virginia's most unusual landscapes.

Why West Virginia Hiking Rewards Range

Between gorge-rim cliffs, wind-shaped plateau wilderness, and bog boardwalks, West Virginia's best hikes cover a surprising range of Appalachian ecosystems packed into a relatively compact eastern highlands region.