West Virginia is known for its beautiful hiking trails, but you might not think to go hiking in the winter with all the snow and cold air to contend with. However, bundling up and exploring a trail may be the best choice you can make for some good old-fashioned winter fun. Don’t forget your gloves or parka (and maybe a couple of hand warmers,) but leave your nerves at home, there is so much beauty to be seen in the winter months. These 11 trails are some of the best winter hikes in West Virginia.
- West Virginia Botanic Garden
West Virginia Botanic Garden/Facebook You won’t find flowers here in the cold season, but this Morgantown park is still beautiful covered in snow. 1061 Tyrone Rd, Little Falls, WV 26508, USA
- Beartown State Park
TripAdvisor/Controversy X The curious rock formations that you’ll find here look especially striking in the snow. Beartown State Park, Beartown Road, Renick, WV, USA
- Dolly Sods
TripAdvisor/JukeJointJimmy The unusual landscape of this area is particularly beautiful in the winter. Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia 26260, USA
- Blackwater Falls State Park
Sandra Fletcher/Facebook/reader submitted photo Well-kept paths here will lead you to frozen waterfalls when it’s especially cold outside. Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
- Canaan Valley
Rachel Wulfe/Google This peaceful valley is home to a wildlife refuge and a ski resort. Canaan Valley, West Virginia 26260, USA
- East River Mountain
Flickr/Dizzy Girl
The overlook here provides a clear view into Virginia.
East River Mountain, 430 Ruffner St, Bluefield, WV 24701, USA
- Hawk’s Nest State Park
John Mueller/Flickr Hike here to get a wintery hawk’s eye view of the New River Gorge. Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
- WVU Core Arboretum
WVU Core Arboretum/Facebook This old-growth forest in the heart of Morgantown is a beautiful respite from the city. Core Arboretum Parking Lot, Monongahela Blvd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Grandview
Ed Kennedy/Flickr This former state park is now considered part of the New River Gorge National River area. Grandview, WV 25813, USA
- Ritter Park
K e v i n/Flickr This park in Huntington is best known for its rose garden, but the trails are still beautiful in the snow. 1805 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Thurmond
Gene/Flickr This near ghost town has hiking trails to explore along the river. Thurmond, WV 25901, USA
These 11 trails seem like the best winter hikes to be found in West Virginia! We recommend always checking your local weather service and the websites of individual parks and trails to make sure the areas are safe for hiking, as ice and snow can certainly make for slippery travel, but so long as you are careful, you can observe a whole new world by doing some winter hikes. If you’re searching for another exciting thing to do in the winter in West Virginia, take a look at the longest sled run in the eastern United States at Blackwater Falls State Park.
West Virginia Botanic Garden/Facebook
You won’t find flowers here in the cold season, but this Morgantown park is still beautiful covered in snow.
1061 Tyrone Rd, Little Falls, WV 26508, USA
TripAdvisor/Controversy X
The curious rock formations that you’ll find here look especially striking in the snow.
Beartown State Park, Beartown Road, Renick, WV, USA
TripAdvisor/JukeJointJimmy
The unusual landscape of this area is particularly beautiful in the winter.
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia 26260, USA
Sandra Fletcher/Facebook/reader submitted photo
Well-kept paths here will lead you to frozen waterfalls when it’s especially cold outside.
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
Rachel Wulfe/Google
This peaceful valley is home to a wildlife refuge and a ski resort.
Canaan Valley, West Virginia 26260, USA
Flickr/Dizzy Girl
The overlook here provides a clear view into Virginia.
East River Mountain, 430 Ruffner St, Bluefield, WV 24701, USA
John Mueller/Flickr
Hike here to get a wintery hawk’s eye view of the New River Gorge.
Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
WVU Core Arboretum/Facebook
This old-growth forest in the heart of Morgantown is a beautiful respite from the city.
Core Arboretum Parking Lot, Monongahela Blvd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
Ed Kennedy/Flickr
This former state park is now considered part of the New River Gorge National River area.
Grandview, WV 25813, USA
K e v i n/Flickr
This park in Huntington is best known for its rose garden, but the trails are still beautiful in the snow.
1805 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
Gene/Flickr
This near ghost town has hiking trails to explore along the river.
Thurmond, WV 25901, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Virginia December 09, 2021 Sara Dager What are the most beautiful hikes in West Virginia? The most beautiful hikes in West Virginia include:
Seneca Rocks Endless Wall Big Schloss
The natural beauty in West Virginia is hard to beat, and most hikes will inevitably feature some stunning views, but if you’re looking for something truly out of this world, this article may help. It covers hikes with breathtaking views that are more than worth the walk. What are the most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia? The most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia are:
Pandapas Loop Trail Hidden Valley West Trail Falls of Hill Creek
West Virginia has a fair number of trails that are accessible for hikers of all levels and abilities, most people will have an easy time finding trails to explore in the area. Trails like the 0.9-mile Pandapas Loop Trail, the mile-long Hidden Valley West Trail, and the Falls of Hill Creek all lead to stunning nature views and are accessible to all levels of hikers, including those who use wheelchairs. What are some natural wonders in West Virginia? Natural wonders in West Virginia include:
Caverns Waterfalls Ice Mountains
West Virginia has many a natural wonder to be marveled at, in fact, more than you may expect. There are massive caverns and awe-inspiring waterfalls waiting to be discovered, as well as something called an ice mountain. Take a look at this article to learn more about all the natural beauty that West Virginia has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Winter Hikes In Virginia
December 09, 2021
Sara Dager
What are the most beautiful hikes in West Virginia? The most beautiful hikes in West Virginia include:
Seneca Rocks Endless Wall Big Schloss
The natural beauty in West Virginia is hard to beat, and most hikes will inevitably feature some stunning views, but if you’re looking for something truly out of this world, this article may help. It covers hikes with breathtaking views that are more than worth the walk. What are the most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia? The most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia are:
Pandapas Loop Trail Hidden Valley West Trail Falls of Hill Creek
West Virginia has a fair number of trails that are accessible for hikers of all levels and abilities, most people will have an easy time finding trails to explore in the area. Trails like the 0.9-mile Pandapas Loop Trail, the mile-long Hidden Valley West Trail, and the Falls of Hill Creek all lead to stunning nature views and are accessible to all levels of hikers, including those who use wheelchairs. What are some natural wonders in West Virginia? Natural wonders in West Virginia include:
Caverns Waterfalls Ice Mountains
West Virginia has many a natural wonder to be marveled at, in fact, more than you may expect. There are massive caverns and awe-inspiring waterfalls waiting to be discovered, as well as something called an ice mountain. Take a look at this article to learn more about all the natural beauty that West Virginia has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The most beautiful hikes in West Virginia include:
- Seneca Rocks
- Endless Wall
- Big Schloss
The natural beauty in West Virginia is hard to beat, and most hikes will inevitably feature some stunning views, but if you’re looking for something truly out of this world, this article may help. It covers hikes with breathtaking views that are more than worth the walk.
What are the most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia?
The most easily accessible hikes in West Virginia are:
- Pandapas Loop Trail
- Hidden Valley West Trail
- Falls of Hill Creek
West Virginia has a fair number of trails that are accessible for hikers of all levels and abilities, most people will have an easy time finding trails to explore in the area. Trails like the 0.9-mile Pandapas Loop Trail, the mile-long Hidden Valley West Trail, and the Falls of Hill Creek all lead to stunning nature views and are accessible to all levels of hikers, including those who use wheelchairs.
What are some natural wonders in West Virginia?
Natural wonders in West Virginia include:
- Caverns
- Waterfalls
- Ice Mountains
West Virginia has many a natural wonder to be marveled at, in fact, more than you may expect. There are massive caverns and awe-inspiring waterfalls waiting to be discovered, as well as something called an ice mountain. Take a look at this article to learn more about all the natural beauty that West Virginia has to offer.