Explore the most popular Camping trails in West Virginia with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Nice trail. Done as a point to point from Gathland to Weverton Cliffs.
Nice trail with gentle ascends and a good view from the Buzzard Knob. The trail is wide and generally well-tended except for a few fallen trees on it. This time of year leafless trees give you the opportunity to peek on both sides of the mountain - to Virginia and West Virginia. The shelter is nice for lunch.
Did this section of the trail as part of a larger backpacking trip in October. Easily one of my favorite trails. Beautiful views and the silence on top of the ridge is amazing!
This is a well kept trail with many things to do along the way. It was nice to visit it today after moving away years ago.
Hiked part of the trail with my German shepherd today. It was nice and cool out with not many people out. Saw a few hunters in the distance. It was really pretty with all the leaves on the ground.
There are a few wild flowers along this road. I have only walked maybe 10 miles on it from its starting point. This converted rail bed to walking/ bike path is an easy walk, but you are pinned in on both sides by private property. It's well used in the spring and in off season people allow their dogs to run free, they use that verbal lease yelling at the dog to come back, that was the annoyance. But to be far there is no one using it in the off season. I did not find this trail to be all that great, I guess it must get a hell of a lot better someplace else. I saw no access to the river unless I trespassed on private property.
just went out 1 mile with my dog and camped at camp festis. sweet spot. would have went further but didnt want to set up in the dark. easy grade until that part
Great hike very shady hence why I gave it a personal 3 stars. Perfect place to feel lost in a mystical forest
A wonderful hike no complaints and yes about 4 miles in the hiking trail that follows the creek (about a mile) is not what I would call mud but it's spongy and some spots saturated with water that you'll have to figure a way to get around it however from the start of the trail it was icy which I would imagine being muddy if it wasn't icy. So bring an extra pair of shoes as socks and enjoy the hike.
this place was amazing. My wife and I hiked this today Nov 11th. it was spectacular, it felt like we were in another world. It is a very muddy trail as mentioned, It may be worse in the spring and summer Idk. But all i can say is a place like Dolly Sods demands a little respect if you plan on hiking this in sneakers or those little keen hiking shoes you're probably not gona have a good time. A good pair of water proof boots will save your life here. We got muddy as hell but our feet stayed dry through all the creek crossings and bogs. Take good gear and dont forget your camera this hike is amazing.
Completed on Friday, 11-9-19. Other than the first bushwhacking and the overall lengthy, it was an easy and gradual elevation change and plenty of clean soft trail to balance out the rockier portions. I went when there was a dusting of snow, which was quite nice, but it was cold and my water froze in the tube, so plan accordingly on cold days. The most noteworthy thing was as another review mentioned in the first mile or so there were thick bushy regions and a pile of rocks. The little orange flags did help. Shortly before or after (depending on your direction) there’s a little stream crossing. Near this area towards the woods on the left hand side (so away from the road) I heard a low growling noise on the way in. I thought I was imagining things, but I was alone and know bears can be about, so I took my little bell out, but had not had much other “protection”. Forgot all about it until the way back and heard another low, fearsome guttural growl from the same bushes. Did not stick around to find out what was making the noise, but it could’ve been near a bear den or something. Not sure why it would be so close to the bushwhacked trail, but in case anyone else ventures out there, be warned. I’ve seen fresh bear prints in December out in MA, so I’m not sure how much black bears actually hibernate in WV, either. Saw only 1 person in the 4.5 hours I was on the trail.
Fantastic short trail to three different overlook points of the falls. The trail is about 200 steps down to the overlooks and was a bit icy today, however if you take your time you’ll have no problem! Definitely worth the stop and can be completed in 20 minutes.
really great hike but very poorly marked. unblazed and unnamed trails are required. Easily doable with gps from alltrailsPro though.
Did get off the path once but reading prior reviews and using a map helped! Great hike!
Great trail. Did this with a 4,7 and 8 year old. And a small dog. Great fall hike
This place is amazing! It’s so diverse and offers so much unique beauty that isn’t just blatantly visually stunning. Beat rocks is a great place the sunrise. The trail offered a wide variety of vegetation. My favorite spot is just down from the board walk at red creek. The Trail really opens up at the raven ridge Intersection making you feel like you’re a thousand miles from nowhere. As others have stated and whined about, yes the dobbins grade trail portion of the loop is muddy... but this is nature and it’s dolly Sods “wilderness”. I guess people expect nature to stop being nature for their convenience. I found navigating the muddy areas pretty fun and not as horrible as everyone has made it out to be. I completed the loop and didn’t double back.
Great Fall trail! Still some great color and the views along the way were beautiful! I Would do this trail again.
Our AM was drizzling and we cancelled our long, hard hike, but decided to brave conditions and ‘slip this one in.’ So very glad. Canopy thick that we did not get wet despite light rain. Trail undulating enough it’s wasn’t too muddy. It’s not a ‘rock hopping’ trail so slippage not a danger. Gorgeous views, surprisingly magnificent. Lightly trafficked, only a few others on trail. This time of year’s golden carpet of leaves Not To be missed!
Awesome for mountain biking.
Trail in fair condition. Varying from Muddy to leafy to asphalt. Nice section from Clover lock to Marlington. Great fall colors. No cell service so download directions ahead of time. AT&T has service in Marlington. Verizon did not. End your ride at the dirt bean restaurant and bike shop for a well deserved beer or coffee.
