Category West Virginia

Hiking Highlights of 2024: My Favorite Adventures

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For me, my year in hiking has had a lot of ups and downs! At the beginning of the year, I was hiking and traveling a lot. Then, I was training for an ultramarathon so hiking took a backseat. I also tackled a lot of house projects and finished a major writing project (more details soon!) so was out on the trails a bit less. Despite all of that, I’m still pleased that I hiked over 200 miles this year! With all of that time on trails, here is my round-up of my favorite trails I hiked in 2024 (preference to new-to-me hikes).

Looking for more adventures in Pennsylvania and beyond? Check out my new book: Beer Hiking Pennsylvania and New Jersey

  1. Minister Creek Loop – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

This stunning loop in Allegheny National Forest was by far a highlight of my year. Although it was cold and the creek waters were very high, I could not have asked for a better introduction to ANF. This 7-mile loop includes deep woods, clambering through rocky crevices, and stunning overlooks. Not exactly a trail for the faint of heart, this hike was a true challenge with a huge payoff at the end.

  1. Hector Falls – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

When the locals give you a hiking tip, you better take it! That’s exactly what happened on a weekend trip to Allegheny National Forest region. The owners of a brewery we were visited highly recommended this lesser known waterfall and I’m so glad we checked it out. Although the hike to the trail itself isn’t very interesting, the stunning double-sided waterfall at the end made it so worth it! The unique water feature flows over a rectangular rock jutting off a cliffside so when water flow is high enough, it creates two separate streams plunging off the rock. This was one of the coolest waterfalls I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, although I would recommend visiting in the spring when the water runoff is highest. Although the falls have low foot traffic, the parking area is quite small, so try to plan to visit outside of peak times.

  1. Hearts Content Natural Area – Allegheny National Forest (PA)

If you’ve been following our hikes for a while, you know that Justin loves a big tree. So we always make a point to visit old growth forest areas when we can. Hearts Content is a relatively small hemlock and white pine old growth forest nestled in Allegheny National Forest. The trails are easy and it is a great hike for all ages. We were lucky to visit at golden hour and had the trails completely to ourselves. Prepare to be amazed by towering trees that are between 300-400 years old along the 1-mile scenic interpretive trail.

  1. Ledges Trail – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)

On our very first trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park we tackled the much-anticipated Ledges Trail and it did not disappoint. We loved meandering through the impressive cliffsides and peering through narrow crevices. We did a big loop from Kendall Lake to Ledges, which combined the geological beauty of Ledges with the scenic Kendall Lake. This loop can easily be shorten to accommodate little legs and would be a great trail for all ages.

Make it a Hike & Hop – Check out Ledges Trail & HiHo Brewing!

  1. Rock City & Rattlesnake to Overlook – Coopers Rock State Forest (WV)

Despite being just over an hour away from Pittsburgh, it took me until 2024 to finally visit Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia. There’s so much to see at this park, but if you only have time for one hike, definitely make it the Rock City & Rattlesnake trails. This incredible path leads from dense woods into sudden corridors surrounded by rock face. Finally the Rattlesnake Trail ends at the impressive Coopers Rock overlook, the crown jewel of the park.

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Coopers Rock & Screech Owl!

  1. Endless Wall Trail – New River Gorge National Park (WV)

Okay, I’ll admit, this wasn’t a new hike for me in 2024. But its so great that I had to include it as one of my favorites of the year and is one of the few repeat trails on this list. We visited New River Gorge NP at the beginning of October right as the leaves began to change. We did a LOT of hiking but the Endless Wall Trail remains my favorite of the park. The stunning views throughout the short loop just get more beautiful each time I visit. However, this is a very popular spot, so try to visit at off-times or during the week. Parking is a challenge here so please leave no trace and only park in designated areas!

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Endless Wall & FreeFolk Brewery

  1. Conkles Hollow Gorge Trail – Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve (OH)

Another easy hike to take my end of the year round up! I’ve done the Conkles Hollow Rim hike a few times now (also highly recommend) but this time around, we wanted to do the Gorge trail. This 1-mile out and back flat trail leads you deep into the gorge with towering trees and cliff wall climbing up on either side. During wet seasons and after rain, there are various waterfalls spilling down the sides of the gorge. On a hot, sunny September day, it was amazing the temperature difference in the deepest reaches of the gorge. This is a must-hike during a visit to the Hocking Hills Area!

Make it a Hike & Hop! Check out Conkles Hollow & Double Edge Brewing

Want to explore more of Hocking Hills, OH? See my guide to visiting the state park and more.

  1. Red, Yellow, and Blue Loop – Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (PA)

This was by far my hardest hike of the year, but the challenge made it that much more fun! Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a non-profit wild raptor preserve with an educational facility and miles of hiking trails. It’s the only hike on this list with a fee to visit (Adults $10, Seniors $7, Children between 6-12 $5, Under 5 FREE), but its supporting a fantastic cause so don’t let that hold you back. There’s a number of trails with varying difficulty, but we did a heart-pumping loop that began on the River of Rocks Trail (red) then climbs the steep Golden Eagle Trail (yellow). At the top, take the Skyline Trail (blue) along the ridge, ending with some of the most difficult and exhilarating rock climbs I’ve encountered on a trail. You’ll hoist yourself up onto the North Lookout and follow around the Lookout Trail (orange) for multiple vistas of the surrounding valley and soaring raptors. Be sure to check migration times for peak birdwatching months!

  1. Maurice River Bluffs – (NJ)

A writing project took me to New Jersey this year and I’ll admit that I didn’t go in with high expectations. But I was quickly proven wrong with this incredible hike along the Maurice River in Millville, NJ. This 500-acre preserve is managed by the Nature Conservancy and provides a key stopover for migrating birds and presents a uniquely hilly landscape in the lowlands of NJ. We completed a 5-6 mile loop of the entire preserve which included boardwalks along the water with spots to observe wildlife and sandy walks out along the bluffs for vistas of the surrounding wetlands. This hike was incredible but what made it one of my most memorable hikes this year was finally seeing a stunning lady slipper orchid in the wild. I cried.

  1. Pochuck Valley & Stairway to Heaven – Appalachian Trail (NJ)

Another of my Jersey adventures took us along the Appalachian Trail in northern NJ. 72 miles of the famed trail run through the rugged northern region of New Jersey which boasts a markedly different landscape than the rest of the state. This 7-mile out-and-back trail includes boardwalks over wets and ends with a rocky climb to a stunning overlook. Along the way, you’ll encounter day- and thru-hikers all enjoying this unique path. Don’t let the easy path at the beginning fool you; the trek up the “stairway to heaven” is challenging but highly rewarding. From the soaring overlook on a clear day you can see all the way to the Catskill Mountains in New York!

Thanks for joining me on another year of hiking adventures! I can’t wait to see where 2025 takes me.

Coopers Rock State Forest & Screech Owl Brewing

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Bruceton Mills, PA

Just over the Pennsylvania border is a land of soaring vistas and rocky crevices. Coopers Rock State Park in West Virginia offers over 50 miles of hiking trails, rocking climbing and bouldering, historical sites, and access to the Cheat River for rafting. This route loops through some park highlights and ends at the iconic Coopers Rock overlook. Afterward, head to Screech Owl Brewing for a large line-up of craft beer and a delicious full kitchen menu.

THE HIKE: Cooper’s Rock Loop

Length: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,160 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Time:  4 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets

Coopers Rock State Forest spans nearly 13,000 acres in West Virginia, making it the state’s largest state forest. It’s just 13 miles from Morgantown and is a great day trip from SW Pennsylvania. The park is popular for its wealth of outdoor activities. The forest is named for the series of rocks that jut out above the Cheat River. Legend has it that a barrel maker (known as a cooper) hid among these rocks after running from the law and continued his barrel-making from the shelter of the woods.

Access and Parking: Cooper’s Rock State Forest is free to visit! Park near the main overlook, use coordinates 39.63807011575319, -79.81564713061613.

The Route: There are miles and miles of trails in Coopers Rock from challenging wooded trails to wide gravel paths. This route makes a wide loop of the park to hit some of the major highlights: Raven Rock, Henry Clay Furnace, Rock City, and the stunning Coopers Rock Overlook.

Begin your trek at the main parking lot for the park by the main overlook, but don’t head there quite yet! We’ll end the trek with a dramatic view. Instead, head into the woods to the right following the signs for climbing access. This trail, while not always super well-marked, leads past huge sandstone boulders that are popular for climbers. It’s very impressive to see folks free-climbing and bouldering across the ancient stones.

After one mile, the access trail reaches a junction with the Raven Rocks Trail. Turn right to start an out-and-back 2-mile trail to an overlook. The way is wide and you’re likely to encounter others on this popular trail. You’ll follow the wide yet rocky path downhill among a sea of green ferns. After 0.75 miles, it starts to ascend upwards and you’ll find yourself suddenly open huge rocks with power lines stretching across. You’ll pass under the powerlines and reach Raven Rock overlook. The wide rock offers expansive views of the Cheat River Gorge below. Although the power lines stretch out from the rocks, there’s plenty to see without the visual obstruction.

The view from Cooper’s Rock Overlook

After enjoying the vista, continue back along the Raven Rock Trail until it reaches the main park access road. Carefully cross the road and get onto the Roadside Trail heading to the right. Follow this for a half mile before reaching a trail junction. Bear to the left and follow the unmarked trail as it skirts around the small pond. Just before the trail heads back into the trees, turn left to get on the Clay Run Trail. The beginning of this trail is open and gravelly and frankly not too interesting. But after 0.5 miles, the tree cover returns and the trail becomes peacefully wooded once again.

At 5.5 miles into the journey, you’ll emerge onto another trail junction. Turn right to cross the stream and visit the Henry Clay Furnace, the first iron blast furnace in West Virginia. The pyramid structure stands tall at the juncture of the left and rock forks of Clay Run. After exploring, cross back over the bridge and take the Rhododendron Trail up the hill to the right. After a half mile of a steady uphill climb, turn right on the Bench Trail. In only 0.2 miles, Bench becomes Ridge, and then in a few hundred feet, turn left to get on Rock City Trail. This was by far my favorite trail in the park. Suddenly, the trail dips down into a rock crevice and you feel like you’ve entered another world. Tall cliffs rise up on either side and spindle rhododendron bushes twist out of corners. The way becomes quite rocky and steep, but the views are so beautiful, you almost don’t notice the effort! This section of the trail is only 0.3 miles and then you’ll continue on the Rattlesnake Trail to the right which follows along the cliffside as you slowly ascend toward your final goal: Coopers Rock Overlook.

At 7.5 miles, the trail lets out onto a flat wooded area not far from the parking lot. Follow the trail signs for the overlook. You’ll emerge onto a huge rock face lined with a wood fence. It looks out over the river gorge and is stunning at any time of the year. After enjoying the view, follow the trail back to the parking lot. Bonus – a West Virginia swing is nestled between two pavilions!

THE BEER: Screech Owl Brewing

Address: 2323 Ralph Livengood Rd Rd, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
Distance from Trail Head:  15 miles, 22 mins 
Website: http://screechowlbrewing.com/
Food?: Full Kitchen Menu (Spent Grain Cafe)
Details: Indoor and outdoor seating, kid playground

Spent Grain Brewing is Preston County’s first brewery. It grew from a newly discovered passion of Roger Jameson. After retiring from a long career of truck-driving, Roger began brewing beer and quickly discovered a love for the craft. He and his wife Crista built a small brewery in their garage in 2015. Since then, Screech Owl Brewing has become far more than they ever could have imagined! With a full restaurant and brewery, the family-run business has grown into a community staple. You’ll catch Roger and Krista greeting guests while their son Jameson mans the grills and daughter-in-law Kristin minds the kegs.

And if delicious beer wasn’t enough, the restaurant features homemade bread made from the spent grains from the brewing process.

Our Beer:

  • Muddy Creek Ale – Blonde/Pale Ale – 6.2%
  • Class IV Zinger – IPA – 5.9%
  • Wild & Wonderful Strawberry Ale – Fruit Ale – 6.2%
  • Hoo’s Your Daddy – IPA – 6.4%

Looking for more Hikes & Hops in West Virginia? Check out Grandview Rim to Turkey Spur & Weathered Ground Brewery, Long Point Trail & Bridge Brew Works, or Endless Wall & Free Folk

New River Gorge: Grandview Rim to Turkey Spur & Weathered Ground Brewery

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Grandview, WV

There’s so much more to see at New River Gorge outside of the Canyon Rim area! Make sure to drive to the Grandview Visitor Center to explore the highest elevation of the park and stunning view of the river. There’s a reason it’s called “Grand View”. Combine the Grandview Rim, Castle, Tunnel, and Turkey Spur Trails to see all the best that this area has to offer! Afterward, take a drive over to Weathered Ground Brewery where you can sit outside and enjoy a brew while listening to live music!

THE HIKE: Grandview Rim & Turkey Spur Loop

Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 530 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets
Parking: Very large parking lot with bathrooms at visitor center
H&H: 5/5

When exploring outside of the Canyon Rim, the first thing is to keep in mind that the rest of New River Gorge is VERY spread out. We were quite surprised at the driving times between the different areas of the park. For context: 

  • Canyon Rim → Grandview Visitor Center = 40 miles, 50 minutes
  • Grandview → Sandstone Falls = 35 miles, 50 minutes
  • Sandstone Falls → Canyon Rim = 55 miles, 1 hour 15 mins

Keep this in mind as you plan your trip around New River Gorge! We definitely made the mistake of visiting Grandview and Sandstone Falls all in the same day so it ended up being a LOT of driving. 

The Grandview Area was originally maintained by the WV Parks Service for decades until it was transferred to the NPS in 1990. While the park is open year-round, the visitor center is only open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This is a popular area for picnicking and hiking, so you’re likely to encounter other day trippers while you’re exploring. There is also a large bathroom with running water that is open year-round. 

To follow the same path we did, start at the visitor’s center and head toward the Grandview Overlook. From this stunning view, you can see 7 miles of the New River Gorge at its deepest point. From here, bear to the right to explore the Tunnel Trail. This 0.7 loop will take you along sandstone ridges, for a first taste of the unique geology of the area. From here, cross by the Main Overlook again and get on the Castle Rock Trail. This trail travels for 0.6 miles along soaring cliff sides until it meets up with the Grandview Rim Trail. Aside from the overlooks, this was by far my favorite part of the hike. I loved to scramble over rocks and staring up at the towering sandstone cliffs. It was definitely a section that makes one feel small! After getting on the Grandview Rim Trail, it’s a fairly straightforward meander through the woods beside the Turkey Spur Road. There are plenty of opportunities for view of the river valley, although some of these are probably better seen in the late fall and winter. After following this trail for about a mile, the trail reaches the Turkey Spur Parking Lot. There’s only room for about 5 cars here, so it’s better to hike out. From here, you’ll take the Turkey Spur Trail which is really a series of wooden stairs that ascend to the top of the rock for nearly 360 degree views of the River Valley. I have to give a huge shout out to the volunteers from the Friends of New River Gorge National River for building such an incredible system of stairs and benches so these views can be enjoyed! 

Unfortunately, when we visited, it was extremely hot and sunny, so we weren’t able to linger long at these overlooks. To finish out this trail, head back down the stairs and retrace your steps to the parking lot. Get back on the Grandview Rim and follow it all the way back to the visitor center and parking lot. Go to the overlook one last time before heading out! 

THE BEER: Weathered Ground Brewery

Address: 2027 Flat Top Rd, Cool Ridge, WV 25843
Distance from Trail Head: 15 miles, 24 mins 
Website: www.weatheredgroundbrewery.com
Food?: Full Kitchen
Details: Outdoor seating, dog friendly outside, Live music

South of Grandview is Weathered Ground Brewery, located in the small town of Cool Ridge. But there’s nothing small about this brewery! Weathered Ground sits on over 30 acres, complete with a large barn that houses the brewing facilities, kitchen, bar and taproom. There’s also ample space to sit outdoors, both on a covered patio and at picnic tables in the yard. On any given weekend, you can find live music at the brewery at either the indoor or outdoor stage. Weathered Ground is a family affair, managed by a husband and wife team, which is evident in how family-friendly the brewery feels. There’s a lot of open space outside for play and yard games for the little and big kids to enjoy. Furry friends are welcome outdoors too, although they must stay out of the taproom since a full kitchen menu is offered. Weathered Ground has been become a staple in Southern West Virginia and you’re bound to see their drafts and cans offered elsewhere too! This is a must-visit spot, especially if doing the Grandview or Sandstone Falls area(s) of New River Gorge!

Our Beer:

  • Bus Beer – NEIPA – 6%
  • Tallahatchie – IPA – 6.5%
  • Bearer of Fruit (Lemon & Blueberry) – Sour – 5%

Looking for more Hikes & Hops in New River Gorge? Check out Long Point & Bridge Brew Works and Endless Wall & FreeFolk Brewing.

New River Gorge: Long Point/Kaymoor Miners & Bridge Brew Works

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Fayetteville, WV

Another must-do hike in New River River Gorge is the Long Point Trail. This trail gives you incredible views of the gorge and huge bridge spanning it. For an extra challenge, add on the Kaymoor Miners Trail for some serious elevation gain and a history lesson of the industry in Fayetteville. Afterwards, you’ve definitely earned a pint at Bridge Brew Works where you can enjoy a Belgian-style brew in their rustic, yet rustic outdoor biergarten.

THE HIKE: Long Point to Kaymoor Miners Trail

Length: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1470ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 3-3.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking Only (Long Point open to bikes)
Parking: Large Lot, pit toilets
H&H: 4/5

Long Point Trail is another of the most popular hikes in New River Gorge. It is located on the Fayetteville side of the park, about 5 miles away from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Although it has a larger parking lot than Endless Wall, I can still foresee it filling up on super busy days. There are several different trails that can be accessed from this parking lot, including Timber Ridge Trail. 

Since we did a combination of trails to make a larger loop, I’ll talk about the two main trails individually and then recommendations on how to combine them. Truthfully, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing these two trails together as the Kaymoor Miners Trail is fairly difficult on its own. But if you’re up for a challenge and have plenty of water, go for it! 

The Long Point Trail is a 3.0 mile out and back trail with little elevation changes and some more technical rocky parts. It is open for hiking, leashed pets and mountain biking but bikers should be aware that the last 0.2 miles of the trail is closed to bikes. Conveniently, there is a bike rack placed so that bikers can still walk out to see the viewpoint. Which you are definitely going to want to see, this is arguably the most incredible view in the entire park. It’s an amazing feeling to walk out of the trees and suddenly be on an outcropping surrounded by so much blue sky and so many trees! 

This trail is fairly easy and we encountered many families enjoying the hike. The trail starts out very wide and there are some wildlife viewing platforms that look out over grassy fields. Soon though, the trail dips into the forest. There are plenty of interesting interpretive signs along the route to teach about ecology. Along this trail, you will encounter some offshoots for other trails, but if you are heading to the lookout, you can stay straight. One of the great things about this trail is that you don’t have to hike up a mountainside for the view! In fact, the trail actually slopes downward as it heads towards the view. The most difficult hiking is nearest to the overlook, with some rocky steps that people with ability restrictions might find difficult. However, I still give this trail a moderate difficulty rating. 

Make sure to really take your time at the overlook and see it from all angles! Also please be patient as you may have to wait your turn for a quintessential picture with the bridge in the background. After you’re ready to continue, start back along the Long Point Trail. After about 0.7 miles, you’ll come to a branch in the trail. Staying on the Long Point Trail takes you back to the parking for an out and back of 3.2 miles. However, if you want to continue to the Kaymoor Miners Trail, bear to the left to get on the Butcher Branch Trail which heads down into a valley. You’ll find much more solitude on the section of the trail. Eventually, this trail will end at the Kaymoor parking lot where there are pit toilets but no running water. Continue through the parking lot and the Kaymoor Miners Trailhead will be on the left. 

Before heading out on this part of the trail, please don’t let the short distance fool you. This is a strenuous hike with nearly 1000ft of elevation gain and trekking up and down 821 steps. I highly encourage you to check it out because the history is fascinating but please only undertake this if your fitness level is up for it, you have proper footwear, and are carrying enough water. From the trailhead, the path immediately starts downhill. The wooded path is narrow and you will encounter a lot of others on the trail. Remember that hikers coming uphill have the right of way! As you climb down the mountainside, there are some beautiful spots of flowing water. About halfway down, you’ll encounter a larger trail called the Kaymoor Trail which is a long point to point trail that intersects with the Kaymoor Miners trail. This is a great spot to catch your breathe and read up on the history of the spot. From here, you’ll descend down the 821 steps, following along the old mining route to abandoned ruins of the mining site. Please be aware that this area is not maintained by the park service and you should exercise caution while exploring. The official trail ends at the end of the stairs but there are clear community foraged paths around the structures. Personally, I found the building to be rather spooky so I didn’t get too adventurous poking about. A warning, this trail does NOT go all the way to the New River and there is an active railroad at the bottom. Please do not ever walk on active rail lines! 

So now the fun part: getting back up the stairs. Let me tell you, I don’t care how fit you are, this is going to be a challenge. Take as many breaks as you need, there’s no shame! Thankfully, we had this section of the trail to ourselves so no one had to listen to our ragged breathing. Once you get to the top of the stairs, take a nice break because the elevation just keeps climbing until you get back to Kaymoor parking lot. If you only hiked the Kaymoor Miners trail then congrats, you’re done! If you parked at Long Point, I hate to say it but you’ve still got more to go. Head to opposite end of the parking lot and get on the Fayetteville Trail. Take this for 0.6 miles until it meets back up with the Long Point Trail. From there, it’s only 0.4 miles back to the parking lot. Thankfully the section of trail from Kaymoor to Long Point parking lots is fairly flat and easy!

All in all, this loop combines the best viewpoint in the park with the fascinating history of coal mining in Fayetteville. These are must-do hikes while in New River Gorge, but definitely require sturdy footwear and plenty of water and snacks. This is also a hike that I strongly recommend having a change of socks and shoes in the car!

THE BEER: Bridge Brew Works

Address: 335 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, WV 25840
Distance from Trail Head: 4.7 miles, 8 mins 
Website: www.bridgebrewworks.com
Food?: BYOF, Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating, dog friendly

If you find yourself a little parched after that hike, I’ve got the perfect place for you! Just under 5 miles away, is the small brewery Bridge Brew Works. While they’ve been producing beer since 2010, they were able to open their space to the public in 2018. This is a unique brewery space because it’s entirely outside with a huge covered patio and a large uncovered patio with lawn games and firepits. While we were visiting, they were also working on another covered patio space! Because of the backyard vibe of the brewery, they are only open March thru December. Bridge Brew Works makes a lot of different types of beer, but they specialize in Belgian-style brews while also making seasonal favorites. Their two headliner beers that can be found on tap all season, as well as in local distributors are the Mountain Momma Pale Ale and the Long Point Lager. I love being able to have a beer named after the hike I just did, so the Long Point was a no-brainer choice! We also enjoyed the Mountain Momma and the New River IPA which paired perfected with kicking back in an Adirondack chair next to a firepit. 

I really wish we had more time at this brewery because its laid back charm was right up my alley. This will 100% be on my list for our next trip to Fayetteville!

Our Beer:

  • Mountain Momma – Pale Ale – 5.5%
  • New River – IPA – 6.6%
  • Long Point Lager – Lager – 4.6%

Looking for more Hikes & Hops in New River Gorge? Check out Grandview Rim & Weathered Ground Brewing and Endless Wall & FreeFolk Brewing