Hiking in West Virginia, including backpacking and geocaching, offers countless benefits for outdoor enthusiasts and new residents drawn to the Mountain State by the remote-work revolution. With miles of scenic trails winding through lush forests, rolling hills, and dramatic mountain landscapes, West Virginia is a hiker’s paradise for all experience levels. Popular spots like the Appalachian Trail, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Monongahela National Forest provide unforgettable backpacking adventures and peaceful escapes into nature. Geocaching adds an extra layer of fun, turning hikes into exciting treasure hunts for families and explorers alike. As more remote workers relocate from major U.S. cities to enjoy a better work-life balance, hiking in West Virginia offers fresh air, physical fitness, and stress relief right outside their door, making it easy to stay active and connected to the state’s wild and beautiful outdoors.
A West Virginia University researcher says exercising on local rail trails has doubled during the pandemic and is safe as long as people use best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. According to the Mon River Trails Conservancy trail counter data, trail use at the trail’s Van Voorhis trailhead is up 101 percent, and … Read more
The first section of a walkable nature trail at Glenville State College has been completed, though there’s more to come, according to the interim president of the school. “Projects like this one are wonderful opportunities to celebrate partnerships and collaborations that make the heart of West Virginia so special,” Dr. Kathleen Nelson said of the … Read more
The Parkinson Forest at Bethany College has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network—the eleventh site in West Virginia to be included and the first in the state’s northern panhandle. Joan Maloof, Ph.D., founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network, said the forest was ideally suited to the network. “In each county, we look for … Read more
Dear Levi: We’d like to take our grandchildren on an autumn leaf hike. What are some points we can make about the fall leaf change in West Virginia? There are so many things I could say about the autumn leaf change, and it’s difficult to focus on specific ones for fear of leaving others out, … Read more
St. Albans Parks and Recreation and organizers are pleased to announce the Eighth Annual “Take a Walk on The Wild Side” Nature Hike event that will take place at the St. Albans City Park Nature Trail Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 9 a.m. until noon with a special Tree Pruning for Beginners workshop to be … Read more
Bethany College is seeking outdoor enthusiasts to volunteer for its trail system workday from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The system includes a waterfall, numerous hiking spots, and an outdoor classroom, according to Shannon Kolkedy, a communications specialist for the college at Bethany, West Virginia. Planned projects include brush cleaning, trail restoration, … Read more
Dear Levi: We receive a lot of questions about hiking trails for families with young children. What should folks be looking for in a trail that’s adequate? Any favorite family trails? — David Sibray I love that people are wanting to get out on the trails with their children, and the younger the better. Getting … Read more
The other day a reader write that a rattlesnake had been spotted on one of her favorite hiking trails. Should she really be worried, she asked, about poisonous snakes on the trail? I think “worry” might be too strong a word to use. I might suggest that we be mindful of the environment instead. West … Read more
Scenic Roane County, West Virginia, boasts its fair share of rock formations, but the largest of three small natural bridges there makes for an interesting short hike, says David Sibray, publisher of West Virginia Explorer. The pay-off of a private trail that follows an old road through the forest the bridge has been attracting a … Read more
After a long gray winter, hikers are as apt as wildflowers to burst forth, and eight West Virginia state parks are preparing for an epic Saint Patrick’s Day weekend during which guided hikes are set to take advantage of the first signs of spring. Green Day hikes are planned for Pipestem, Twin Falls, Watoga, Cacapon, … Read more
