One of West Virginia’s most popular activities is taking a leisurely stroll in nature and Canaan Valley is full of hiking trails! Whether you’re looking for a beautiful, easy mile loop or you want to gear up and explore wilderness all day, our area has a trail to satisfy everyone. In fact, there is so much hiking to choose from, it is easy to miss some of the best opportunities.
In this post I share all of my favorite trail systems that are suitable for a 1 to 4 hour walk in West Virginia woods. I’ll also include downloadable high resolution trail maps for all of the best hiking trails in Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls and across Potomac Highlands. If you’re visiting Golden Anchor Cabins and you want to take a hike, this article is the definitive resource.
Canaan Valley Area Hiking Trails | Trail Map Downloads
Canaan Valley State Park Trail Map
The Canaan Valley State Park’s trail system is in our back yard. Therefore if you’re looking for a great hike and you don’t want to go far from your cabin, this is where you want to go. Their trails very in difficulty from their perfectly flat, wooded trails in the wetlands to their longer, hilly trails like Ridge Top and Bald Knob trails. There are several miles of trails in the park, some of them suitable for mountain biking as well. Here are a few of my favorites for a leisurely stroll:
Back Hollow Loop – Canaan Valley Hiking Trails
The first trail I want to share with you happens to be the closest loop to our cabins and is also my daily walk. The loop I’m highlighting is around three miles. You can use this location to GPS to my parking spot.
Written Directions to Back Hollow Loop Parking:
- Turn left out of our main property’s driveway onto Rt 32.
- Drive north 1.1 miles to Back Hollow Road.
- Turn left, drive 100 yards and park in the parking spot on the right
I typically follow this map clockwise so that’s how I’ll describe it here.
map point 1
First, follow the Back Hollow Road for a small stretch before hopping onto the Back Hollow Trail on the right. This trail is always well trimmed in the otherwise uncut field. This section of the trail can retain water from recent storms during the wet months so watch for puddles in the low spots. The trail follows the tree line and meanders over a few slight hills before intersecting an park maintenance road that is also used as part of the trail system.
map point 2
Turn right and follow this trail over the steepest hill of this loop. This is where the weather will most frequently change. Once getting under the canopy of the trees, the temperature will drop significantly. On early mornings you’ll find that this is the place where the last bit of fog and morning dew will hide.
map point 3
After coming down on the other side of the hill you will turn right at the intersection with Canaan’s entrance road. You can follow this road all the way back to Back Hollow Trail or you can dip back into the woods in number four.
map point 4
Follow the road until you see the wooden man bridge on the left. This takes you back into the woods near the “wildlife & wetlands” portion of their trail system. When you come to the intersection on this trail you will take a right, following Deer Run Trail toward the Nature Center and campground. If you want to stretch your walk out a bit, this is the place to do it. Abe Run is where you’ll find the iconic elevated wood plank trail that Canaan Valley State Park is known for. It’s worth the detour!
map point 5
When you exit the woods, veer right heading toward the Nature Center. Follow the parking lot’s road to guide you back to the Back Hollow trailhead. This will take you through a thicket of evergreen trees before opening up into a huge meadow.
map point 6
Some of the best views of Canaan Valley’s mountain range are on this stretch of the path. Lastly, this trail takes you back to your parking spot.
Blackwater River Trail – Canaan Valley Hiking Trails
This is the smallest loop as well as the prettiest trail of all of Canaan Valley’s hiking trails. Getting to it is simple too! Follow the park’s main driveway all the way to the golf course and park at the end of their parking lot. Blackwater River Trailhead is found immediately to the left of the gravel maintenance road. The trail is nearly completely flat with only a slight incline in a few places. Nearly the entire loop is under an extremely tall canopy of oak and maple tees.
The Blackwater River Trail is just over 1 mile total. Nearly 1/3 of the trail runs along the Blackwater River. The trees end at the water’s edge allowing for a beautiful view of the valley on the other side of the river. If you brought your rod, this is a great spot for a little fishing as well. This is easily the most photogenic of all the trails in Canaan Valley State Park as well so bring your camera with you on this one!
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hiking Trails
The National Wildlife Refuge also maintains a separate trail system in Canaan Valley that is worth checking out. The majority of their trails are located on the A-Frame Road off of Route 93. This means you’ll need to drive to Davis then head out of town for a few miles before circling back into the valley on A-Frame Road. The overlook labeled “14” on their trail map is definitely worth a stop. This is the only way to really see for yourself just how far Canaan Valley extends. From the parking lot at the end of A-Frame you can pick up several longer trails that explore the valley as well as the edge of Dolly Sods Wilderness Area.
Beall Trails – Canaan Valley Hiking Trails
While many of the Wildlife Refuge’s trails are meant for long hikes, they also has a wonderful, well maintained set of hiking trails in Canaan Valley near our cabins. The parking lot for the Beall Trails is located just off of Cortland Road. From the parking lot you have some choices to make. The 2 mile Beall Loop will is nearly perfectly flat and takes you through a beautiful forest. On the other hand, the 1.4 mile Beal South Loop takes you across a farmed meadow before diving into the woods and quickly descends to the river for half of the trail. There are also several shortcuts and connectors in this system so you have plenty of opportunity to make this hike as short or long as you like!
Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park has some of the best trails for light hiking in the state. There are so many state treasures to be found on the trails here too. If you haven’t been to Blackwater Falls before, you have to find time to visit Elakala Falls and Lindy Point. Find both on the map!
Pace Point Trail
I want to highlight a less popular trail that makes for a great afternoon walk, Pace Point Trail. To find this trail, follow the signs to Pendleton Lake. From the lake’s parking lot you pick up the trailhead and cross the lake’s dam. From the lot to Pace Point and back is around three miles and there is nearly zero elevation drop. This trail, also labeled as Dobbin House Trail on the map, follows the ridge of the mountain and there are several nice views of the canyon below but the real view is yet to come. At around a mile and a half watch for stacked rocks at the edge of the trail. That’s your cue to look for a connecting trail that quickly takes you Pace Point.
This flat rock outcropping is similar to the formation at Pendleton Point and Lindy Point but you’re guaranteed to have this one to yourself for hours. The view of the canyon and river valley is awe inspiring and peaceful at the same time. Jamie and I enjoy sitting at the edge and watching the birds effortlessly soar through the canyon below. It is one of our favorite spots in the park.
Little Canaan / Davis / Thomas
This is my weakest map if you’re looking for detailed directions and landmarks. My map actually shows all of Tucker County’s trails including the network near Davis and Thomas. It will give you a good idea of what is available near each town but you might want to swing by the Tourist Welcome Center in Davis if you want a more detailed trail map for Little Canaan and Thomas. I’ve not spent much time on these so I don’t have a favorite to refer you to but some of the trails that follow the river near Thomas look nice. If you’re looking for hiking trails in Canaan Valley, this map also highlights several other opportunities.
Allegheny Highlands Trail
The Allegheny Highlands Trail is an old railroad line turned rail-trail several years ago. The trail complete from Thomas to Elkins and is 35 miles in length. For an afternoon walk that might be a bit much. However there are several parking lots along the way so you can see the best this trail has to offer!
You can pick up the trail anywhere along the Rail Falls Rd in Thomas. There are several sites worth seeing along this gravel road like the old coke plants, Albert Falls and Douglas Falls. All are worth exploring. After Douglas Falls, the trail begins to travel steadily down the Blackwater Canyon for several miles until flattening out in Hendricks.
Dolly Sods Hiking Trails
The Dolly Sods Wilderness Area is becoming the most popular hiking destination in the state. With its untouched, unique beauty and its bountiful views, it is easy to see why. Much of the longer trails cross terrain is wild and unforgiving at Dolly Sods. Though many of the trails are more suited for backpackers or hikers looking for a full day’s hike, Dolly Sods can still be explored and enjoyed by the leisure visitor looking for an afternoon of fun as well. From our cabin, take the Lanesville or Bonner Mountain Road to the south entrance of Dolly Sods. The Forest Road gives you several opportunities to pop in a number of trails as well as overlooks as you travel north towards West Virginia’s treasured Bear Rocks.
Bear Rocks
Certainly this landmark of Tucker County is a must-see. Bear Rocks is instantly recognized by its numerous exposed rocks and wind-blown spruce trees dominating the landscape. The rock formations are worth exploring and give you an unparalleled view of Petersburg and beyond into Virginia.
Near the parking at Bear Rocks is Bear Rocks Trailhead. The Bear Rocks Trail is one of the trails worth checking out if you only have a few hours to walk. The trail is known for not only its beauty but also the blueberry and huckleberry bushes that line the trail.
Even more trails near our cabins!
Seneca Rocks
Even though the trails aren’t extensive at Seneca Rocks, I wanted to include their map to highlight the fact that you can walk up to the top of the rocks here without donning climbing gear. My wife and I have walked to the observation deck at the top. It is not only a great exercise, but stunningly beautiful! The forest roads can also be walked if you want to spend a little more time in the park and take in the natural beauty of Seneca Rocks.
Spruce Knob
Identified as the tallest point in West Virginia, Spruce Knob is at the top of everyone’s West Virginia Bucket List. In addition to observation tower, there are a few opportunities for short walks including one that less people know about.
Whispering Spruce Trail
The Whispering Spruce Trail as well as Spruce Knob Trail complete a loop from the parking area to the Spruce Knob’s observation tower. Whispering Spruce Trail includes many panoramic opportunities to view the different land patterns of forest and pastoral scenes. The 1/2 mile trail will lead you through a northern plant community of flag-formed red spruce, health barrens, and wildflowers typical of a more northern climate. The trail will lead you through a series of interpretive signs, revealing the secrets of a high mountain ecology. You will circle Spruce Knob (4,863′) the highest point in West Virginia.
Spruce Knob Lake Trail
The lake and campground, located a few miles from the observation tower, is a less visited area of Spruce Knob. Both the campground and the perimeter of the lake are easily walked trails but the lake specifically makes for a lovely stroll. Unlike Whispering Spruce Trail, the Spruce Knob Lake Trail is shielded by a thicker growth of trees. This shields you from the constant winds you experience at that altitude. The trail weaves in and out of the forest and follows closely along the water’s edge. Much of the trail is elevated boardwalk and the entire loop sees no elevation change. It is perfect for a quiet walk hand-in-hand with a loved one.
We photographed a beautiful sunset at Spruce Knob and took pictures around the lake as well. If you’re interested, you can check them out on this post.
West Fork Rail Trail
Last but not least is the West Fork Rail Trail, a rail trail with a trailhead located in Glady. The West Fork Rail Trail spans 22 miles from Glady all the way to Durbin. The trail follows the path cut by the West Fork Glady Fork. This smooth crushed stone trail is suitable for both walking and biking.
