GLEN JEAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The secret is out and the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is now becoming a recreation destination for many across the nation.
The increased notoriety has made the most popular trails even busier than they have been before, but many lesser-traveled trails also offer stunning views.
The New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is a large park consisting of over 53 miles of the New River along with over 70,000 acres of land, allowing for countless exploration opportunities.
Although the most popular trails such as Long Point and Endless Wall should be on your list of must-do hikes, there are others within the park that will not have the crowds like the most talked about trails.
Here are the top five to add to your list:
    1. Stone Cliff Trail
Located adjacent to the Stone Cliff Campground, the Stone Cliff Trail is a 5.4-mile out-and-back trail that is considered to be easy to moderate.
The trail is perfect for both hiking and biking as it is relatively flat and follows the bank of the New River, allowing for multiple areas of river access along the way which provides some fantastic views.
To reach the trail from U.S. Route 19 north of Beckley, take the Glen-Jean-Thurmond exit. Take an immediate left and go 0.5 miles to Glen Jean. Turn right and follow the signs for Thurmond (WV Route 25).
Continue for 6 miles to a three-way intersection. Bear right and go 1.5 miles on this road. Take a right on the gravel road, just before the bridge crossing the New River, and continue past the boat launch to the parking area.
  2. Kate’s Falls Trail
Located off the Glade Creek Trail, Kate’s Falls Trail is a short but strenuous 0.4-mile out-and-back-hike that provides an amazing view of the falls. According to the NPS, there is currently a partial trail washout on the Glade Creek Trail near the start of the Kates Falls Trail that can be impassible at high water times and hikers are asked to use caution.
The Kates Falls Trail is accessed off the Glade Creek Trail, 4.6 miles upstream from Glade Creek Campground or 1.09 miles downstream from the Upper Glade Creek Trailhead. The upper trailhead involves driving down a dirt road where high-clearance four-wheel drive is recommended.
  3. Bridge Trail
Other than Long Point, the Bridge Trail located off scenic Fayette Station Road provides a unique view of the famed New River Gorge Bridge. The trail is 1.72 miles out-and-back and is listed as moderate to strenuous. The trail passes under the bridge and provides a connection to the Fayetteville Trail.
To get to the trail, turn off Route 19 at the sign for Fayette Station Road, south of the New River Gorge Bridge. Follow Fayette Station Road and at 0.8 miles, turn right for the trailhead parking.
  4. Big Branch Trail
The Big Branch Trail, which is scenic in the early spring when wildflowers are in bloom, can be a great place to see the early bloomers like trout lilies, spring beauties, toothwort, and bloodroot.
This two-mile loop trail, listed as strenuous, follows a stream that provides the view of multiple waterfalls along the way.
Several views of the gorge and the river can be seen through the trees from the ridge top.
The trail then descends very steeply down to the trailhead, offering scenic views of Brooks Falls through the trees.
The trail also passes through the ruins of an old farmstead. To get to the trailhead, follow River Road (WV Route 26) from the west end of the WV Route 20 bridge in Hinton.
Follow this narrow road north along the river for five miles to Brooks Falls.
River Road is a single lane in some sections; drivers are asked to take it slow and use extra caution. Parking is at Brooks Falls Overlook; cross the road to the trailhead.
  5. Sewell Trail
With the trailhead located at iconic Babcock State Park, the Sewell Trail is the newest trail within the New River Gorge connecting the state park with the national park.
The Sewell Trail follows the former Mann’s Creek Railway, a narrow gauge railway that transported coal & lumber from Clifftop and Landisburg to Sewell at New River.
The trail is between 9-10 miles out-and-back and is considered to be an easy hike. Babydog Falls can be seen at around 4.5 miles into the hike.
Views of the New River Gorge and Sewell train trestle can also be seen from the trail.
Hikers can hike to the very bottom to the ruins of the town of Sewell which will add another 1.5-2 miles from the maintained part of the trail.
The trailhead can be accessed from the cabin access road behind the Glade Creek Grist Mill. The trail begins past Cabin 13 where the road then turns to gravel.
Directions for trails within the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve courtesy of the National Park Service.
