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.
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Hiking in West Virginia in winter can prove a transcendent experience. Nothing compares to a stroll through a wonderland of snow and frozen waterfalls. Even in low-lying valleys where snow seldom lingers, a walk through the sleeping landscape can be life-changing. Winter hiking in West Virginia also presents its own set of … Read more
FARMINGTON, W.VA. — According to preliminary data released by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources on Wednesday, hunters in the Mountain State harvested 12,217 bearded turkeys during the spring gobbler season. According to Brett McMillion, director of the division, the harvest is 30.4 percent above the 2022 harvest of 9,366 birds, 12.6 percent above … Read more
GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Though travel to West Virginia is increasing statewide, a blogger best known for helping families with children find good hiking options says she’s fielding more inquiries about the nation’s newest national park. Ruthie Witmer, who operates the Instagram page at Mountainmamahiking, says the newly designated Endless Wall follows the rim of the … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers countless opportunities for adventures, and one of the most accessible and highly rewarding is a hike on the Long Point Trail near Fayetteville in southern West Virginia. At three miles out and back, the trail explores a deciduous upland forest and arrives at … Read more
You might have heard that black bear populations are increasing in West Virginia. What should you do if you see one when you’re hiking in the woods? Do you need to be concerned? The bear population has been increasing here, it’s true, but I’ve hiked thousands of miles in the state and have never seen … Read more
Guided hikes have been scheduled for January 1, 2022, at eight state parks in West Virginia in concert with the national First Day Hikes program. The hikes vary in length and difficulty, though most range from one to three miles and are suitable for all ages. The First Day Hikes are free and designed to … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Trail guide Levi Moore has been hiking the New River Gorge for decades. Now that it’s become part of the The upper falls on Big Branch tumble out of the highlands in the southern New River Gorge. (Photo: Ed Rehbein)[/caption] “I recommend Big Branch because of the multiple waterfalls and stream crossings—with … Read more
As a socially-distanced pastime, geocaching is enjoying a boost worldwide and in West Virginia just as Marion County reveals a new county-wide geocaching trail. The 10-cache trail invites visitors to explore the county’s most important attractions, according to trail organizer Mark Webb, an intern for the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a fun … Read more
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
