West Virginia Hiking and Backpacking Trips

Morgantown: Blackbird Knob Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Soak up views from open balds on this moderate 10.4-mile hike through a born-again wilderness once dotted with grazing sheep and WWII soldiers.

Harpers Ferry: Loudoun Heights via the AT

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hop a train for a weekend on Blue Ridge trails near the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Richwood, WV: Cranberry Wilderness

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Tour proposed new acres for this idyllic preserve on a 9-mile loop bordered by the Cranberry and Williams Rivers.

Harpers Ferry: Loudoun Heights via the AT

BACKPACKER Review
Hop a train for a weekend on Blue Ridge trails near the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Morgantown: Ridge Trail Loop

BACKPACKER Review
This mellow 4-mile hike tours the rolling hills and lush, wildlife-filled wetlands that make up scenic Canaan Valley State Park.

Morgantown: Otter Creek Trail

BACKPACKER Review
Chug 6.2 miles along an old railroad scar and a lively creek to a wetland glade bustling with wildlife and birds in Monongahela National Forest.

Descent hike...lots of water lots of campsites...would not recommend if you are looking for solitude...my wife and I went over Labor Day Weekend and there must have been 30+ campers at the forks...it felt like we were camping at Big Meadows in SNP...

Seneca Rocks, WV: Germany Valley Loop

Visit Seneca Rocks National Recreation area and enjoy one of the East’s premier cycling destinations (assuming you like to climb).

Seneca Rocks, WV: Germany Valley Loop

Visit Seneca Rocks National Recreation area and enjoy one of the East’s premier cycling destinations (assuming you like to climb).

Cranberry Wilderness

Hiking and camping in the cranberry wilderness. It rained off and on during the first two days but the views where still worth it. Rain the 3 days leading up to the trip left the trail muddy but passable. In several areas, the trail has been washed out causing some re-routes. Day three followed a forestry service road that is in excellent shape. Several traiheads are found on this road as well as some sheltered campsites.

Dolly Sods, Fork of Red Creek

Readers' Choice 2012: Your Neck of the Woods - Southeast Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
See Shenandoah's tallest waterfall, traverse secluded ridgelines, score cliff-top panoramas, swim beneath falls, and walk through wildflowers and oak stands on the Florida Trail.

Rip & Go: Cranberry Loop - Monongahela National Forest, WV

BACKPACKER Review
Circle an upland swamp rich with views, solitude, and wild edibles.

Backyard Everests: Spruce Knob

BACKPACKER Review
Stand atop The Mountain State's most famous peak.

Trip Finder: Appalachians

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite Appalachians hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.

Readers' Choice: Appalachians

BACKPACKER Review
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the Appalachians.

Top 25 Winter Trips: United States

BACKPACKER Review
Find the best skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter camping trips in the U.S.

Dolly Sods Wilderness

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Senior Editor Shannon Davis has hiked in West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness dozens of times. Here, a selection of his favorite spots and shots.

Appalachian Trail Nature Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Wildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow

AT Shelter Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
A few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow

Panoramas of the Appalachian Trail

BACKPACKER Slideshow
A collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow

AT Culture Photo Gallery

BACKPACKER Slideshow
Some of the faces and places our map contributor saw on the AT © Jeff Chow

AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff Chow

BACKPACKER Video
Jeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here.

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

Life's Short, Hike More!

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.