Seneca Rocks Trail
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
Details
Distance
3.12 miles
Elevation Gain
784 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Lucas Gashi
Seneca Rocks sits 900 feet above the North Fork River and offers up 360 degree views of the surrounding area. Be sure to bring your camera!
Seneca Rocks is probably one of the best known landmarks in West Virginia. This iconic formation sits 900 feet above the North Fork River. I highly recommend anyone interested in taking a trip to West Virginia take some time to visit Seneca Rocks. These rock formations are really an amazing site.
The hike from the parking lot is 3 miles out-and-back with a lot of switchbacks and stair cases. The hike uphill is a little tough, so wear hiking boots and take your time. The summit has a viewing platform, but past the platform is nice little rock scramble to the second summit with 360°views. If you really want to explore Seneca Rocks, bring your climbing gear with you and climb to the top, 900 feet of pure adrenaline rush.
Just down the street from Seneca Rocks Trailhead, you can camp at Seneca Shadows Campground. This is a beautiful place to camp with awesome views overlooking Seneca Rocks and a great spot to take night pictures.
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Reviews
The campground across the street from Seneca Rocks is Princess Snowbird. Seneca Shadows is located about a mile southwest, on top of the ridge behind the Gendarme. It does not overlook Seneca Rocks, which are several hundred feet taller and half a mile away. Seneca Rocks is 300 feet tall, not 900. The summit is 900 feet above the river, not the base of the cliffs. There's nothing about the death March up the 600 foot hill it sits on that brings a "rush of adrenaline".
2.0
Great spot for climbing as well. Theres a great guiding service, give em a call https://www.blueridgemtnguides.com/seneca-rocks-climbing.html
5.0
It's a tough one (even though the trail is paved in places and well marked) and you'll be feeling it when you get to the top. I'd recommend going past the platform and scramble on the rocks. That said people have died here so use common sense and don't do it if you don't feel comfortable.
5.0
This was one of the best hikes I’ve ever done. Totally worth the hike and trip.
5.0
This hike is steep - basically 1,000 feet straight up for a mile - but totally worth it. The view is spectacular in all directions and you can see not only where you came from way down in the valley below but also the tons of mountain ridges and nook-like canyons that dot West Virginia's Alleghany Front. Also good for a very steep, but relatively short trail run.
5.0
The hike to the top is worth the view, I highly recommend it.
5.0
This was one of my first large elevation gain hikes when I first started hiking. Trail was beautiful. Series of switchbacks up the mountain. Look out point was breathtaking.
5.0
If you've done Old Rag in Shenandoah, this is his baby brother. Switch back hike from base to summit with a small rock scrabble at the top. If you want to get the most of your hike, you MUST walk past the warning sign to the top of the rocks. I can't wrap my head around the fact that people do not climb to the top! As I'm sure you've all figured, Autumn is the best time to do this hike. Bonus points if you hike before sunrise and watch the orange ball rise over the mountains and the fog slide down them!! Just bring a headlamp and be bear aware!
5.0
One of the best short and easy get always you can find. You can hike the switchbacks and meet the climbers at the top!
5.0
Hike to the top is fairly easy and short, and rewarding with a spectacular view. You don't need to be a climber to go trampsing about.
5.0
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Nearby
Camp at Yokum's Vacationland
Climb Seneca Rocks
Hike to Rohrbaugh Cliffs in Dolly Sods
Hike to Chimney Rock in the Monongahela National Forest
Spruce Knob Observation Tower
Backpack the North Fork Mountain Trail & Chimney Top
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