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Elkins, West Virginia

Looking for the best hiking in Elkins? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Elkins. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Elkins

  • Davis, West Virginia

    Bear Rocks Loop

    4.7
    10.54 mi / 1293 ft gain
    This particular hike is great as there are multiple camping sites, both established and backcountry, and views for miles around almost every bend. Still not convinced? This high-altitude plateau has characteristics typically found in Canadian landscapes. so you can travel north without leaving y...
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  • Davis, West Virginia

    Bear Rocks and Beaver Dam Loop

    6.36 mi / 699 ft gain
    Starting on Bear Rocks Trail, hike down to the Red Creek. Sometimes water levels can be high, but most of the time you can cross the creek without getting any deeper than your knees. Link up with the Raven Ridge Trail and head south. Enjoy the views through this section, as it's a great place to ...
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  • Maysville, West Virginia

    Lions Head Loop

    5.0
    20.35 mi / 2195 ft gain
    What used to be an artillery testing site during WWII, Dolly Sods is a great place for backpackers of almost any expertise. Water is easily found throughout the wilderness area and while 21 miles might feel like a lot, it is very manageable over the course of 3 days.  Attached (at the bottom) is...
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  • 25164 George Washington Highway, West Virginia

    Hike the Cathedral Trail in Cathedral SP

    5.0
    1.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Cathedral Trail is a part of Cathedral State Park located east of Aurora, WV. Cathedral State Park was originally the site of Brookside Resort which attracted visitors from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD due to it’s cool clean air and natural beauty. The land was purchased in 1922 by Mr. Brans...
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  • Cabins, West Virginia

    Hike to Chimney Rock in the Monongahela National Forest

    4.7
    4.85 mi / 1319 ft gain
    Chimney Rock (also referred to as Chimney Top) is a hidden gem in the Monongahela National Forest that offers some of the best views in the state of West Virginia.  There are several trail options that pass this overlook, including a 24 mile point-to-point backpack of the North Fork Mountain Trai...
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  • Cabins, West Virginia

    Backpack the North Fork Mountain Trail & Chimney Top

    5.0
    24.7 mi
    One of my favorite hikes in West Virginia, since the whole ridge is full of views.  Backpacking the North Fork Mountain Trail is about 24.7 miles in total and a challenging hike but with relentless views. In my opinion, the best West Virginia has to offer. Summertime backpacking the whole the NFM...
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  • Fairmont, West Virginia

    Rhododendron Trail and Rocky Trail Loop

    4.3
    3.82 mi / 738 ft gain
    A former lumber and gristmill community, Valley Falls State Park offers one of the most accessible--and massive--waterfalls in WV. Just a few dozen yards from the parking lot, you'll find the park's namesake (and probably a lot of people, engagement photoshoots, and just general mayhem). But if y...
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  • Fairmont, West Virginia

    Valley Falls via Rocky and Rhododendron Trail

    3.82 mi / 738 ft gain
    Valley Falls via Rocky and Rhododendron Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Fairmont, West Virginia.
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  • Oakland, Maryland

    Hike the Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls Trail

    5.0
    11 mi / 25 ft gain
    I began my adventure at the trailhead in Herrington Manor State Park. The parking lot was empty and the trail was very easy to access. From start to finish this trail varies in the width of its path. For the first mile I had a lot of foot room, but as I went deeper into the forest, the trail turn...
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  • Brandywine, West Virginia

    High Knob Tower Trail

    4.5
    2.46 mi / 630 ft gain
    High Knob Tower Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Brandywine, West Virginia.
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  • Marlinton, West Virginia

    Red Spruce Knob

    5.0
    1.91 mi / 348 ft gain
    To reach Red Spruce Knob trailhead from Marlinton, West Virginia, take HW 219N for about 7 miles then turn left onto HW150. Follow HW150 for about 5 miles, and the parking lot and trailhead will be on the left side of the road. The Red Spruce Knob trail is easy to follow and is well marked with b...
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  • Hinton, Virginia

    Camp at Switzer Lake

    3.9
    2 mi
    Directly off of Interstate 81, headed toward West Virginia on Rt 33 is a beautiful lake only known by the locals. Switzer Lake, named because Switzer Dam was placed on the Dry River years ago to aid Harrisonburg and the surrounding area with its increased need for drinking water. The lake is seld...
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  • Oakland, Maryland

    Hike the Swallow Falls Loop

    4.7
    1.1 mi / 125 ft gain
    This park has plenty to do—forest hiking, swimming at Herrington Manor, and camping—but the main attraction, unsurprisingly, is Swallow Falls. The Swallow Falls Canyon Trail (1.1 miles) follows Muddy Creek and features a number of other falls, including Muddy Creek Falls (53 ft).
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  • Masontown, West Virginia

    Hike to Raven’s Rock Overlook

    4.8
    1.5 mi / 587 ft gain
    The Raven’s Rock Trail leading to the Raven’s Rock Overlook is easily the second most photographed area of the Coopers Rock State Forest! There are two ways to access the trail which doubles as an access road. The first trail access can be found along the WV County Road 73/16 also known as Cooper...
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  • Marlinton, West Virginia

    Camp at Day Run Campground

    5.0
    Located in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest about half way between Snowshoe and the Cranberry Glades makes this campground an ideal place to set up a base camp while you explore the surrounding area. It is located about five miles from Highland Scenic Highway (HW150), which makes it ju...
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  • Morgantown, West Virginia

    Hike to the Henry Clay Furnace

    3.0
    1.8 mi / 70 ft gain
    Across the road from the McCollum camping area entrance of Coopers Rock sits the entry point of the Clay Run Trail. With a hiking distance of 1.8 miles (1 hour and 10 minute walking time), this adventure will lead you to a jaw-dropping landmark, the Henry Clay Furnace.Built between 1834 and 1836,...
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