Hiking at New River Gorge

Hiker on the Glade Creek Trail

NPS/Dave Bieri

 

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides a variety of different trails throughout the park. Peaceful forest trails, superb overlooks, and historic scenery are all found here. The trails available consist of park service trails that are marked and maintained, trails within lands administered by state parks, and undeveloped trails and abandoned roads.

Trails range from 1/4 mile to 7 miles in length. Several can be easily connected to make for longer excursions. Difficulty varies from flat, smooth walking to steep challenging terrain. Trail recommendations and maps are offered at Canyon Rim, Grandview, Sandstone, and Thurmond visitor centers. Much of the land within the national park and preserve authorized boundaries remains private property: please respect the owners' rights.

Use the map or links below to find out more details about the trails available in each hiking area.

 

Trail Etiquette

• Pack it in, Pack it out. Pocket all your trash, including cigarette butts and candy wrappers, and dispose of it properly.

• Wildflowers, wildlife, and historic objects all contribute to the beauty we came to see. Leave them undisturbed.

• Keep pets on a leash at all times.

• Bicycles are only permitted on designated bike trails.

• Within a distance of one-quarter of a mile from a restroom or pit toilet facility, human body waste must be appropriately disposed of in such facilities. In non-developed areas more than a quarter of a mile from restroom facilities, human body waste must either be containerized and carried out or it must be buried at a depth of 6 inches in organic soil and at a location not frequented by the public. Human waste may not be buried within 200 feet or in sight of any trail, road, parking lot, developed area, campsite, cliff or rock formation, climbing route or climbing area, water source or the high water mark of any stream, whether intermittent or not.
• Courtesy and common sense on the trail can help provide an enjoyable experience for all. Respect the rights of others.

 

Map of the hiking areas of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Click on the area name to find out more information about the trails of the that area.

 

Hiking Trail Information:

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  Grandview Area Trails

  Grandview area trails offer spectacular views, rock formations, and woodlands.

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  Glade Creek Area Trails

  Glade Creek offers a scenic walk along cascading waterfalls and pools.

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  Sandstone Brooks Area Trails

  There are several excellent trails in the south end of the park, just a short drive from Sandstone Visitor Center.

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  Fayetteville Area Trails

  Trails in the Fayetteville area provide access to some of the most spectacular overlooks in the park.

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  Thurmond-Stone Cliff-Cunard Area Trails

  There are several easy to moderate hiking trails, many utilizing old roads and railroad grades, in the Thurmond area.

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  Nuttallburg Trails

  Trails at Nuttallburg allow visitors to explore the remains of an old coal mining town.

 

 

Trail Photo Galleries