Southern West Virginia is renowned not just for its blue-ribbon fishing, but for the entire outdoor experience it yields.
Just ask practically any adult male who has a penchant for the outdoors, and he will tell you: the clear rushing streams, the quiet rivers and secret creeks flow through unrivaled landscapes, scenic attractions that are literally teeming with fish and wildlife.
The clear waters of the Greenbrier, Elk and Cranberry rivers provide unmatched fishing for rainbow, brook, and brown trout.
And if you are looking for a little professional help, the Elk River Center can provide you with a guide well-schooled in the art of finding the best fishing spots.
With his help, you will be able to test your skill against feisty native trout, or ever-elusive red-eye bass.
Same goes for the Glade Creek area of Raleigh County. Follow the trails and the old logging roads and the catch of your dreams is just around the bend.
Bring your fly rod and waders and your sense of adventure for the maximum angling challenge of the region.
If hiking, biking, or horseback riding is your game, then do not miss the state’s longest rail trail, the Greenbrier River Trail. The wild, meandering route has been ranked by some national magazines as one of the top ten hiking trails in the United States.
Extending 78 miles and traversing 35 bridges and two tunnels, the path parallels the Greenbrier River.
And that is not all. In Southern West Virginia, men of activity will find several challenging golf courses. Some of the scenic fairways offer tough and tricky drives for every club in your arsenal.Â
Three different golf courses include Glade Springs, Grandview Country Club, and Briar Patch.Â
In addition, there are gun clubs and shooting ranges in the area that offer maximum target practice, whether its sporting clays or target shooting.
Stoneybrook Plantation in Monroe County offers a hunting preserve that is touted for a variety of outdoor opportunities.
In addition, for the ATV enthusiasts, the Hatfield and McCoy trails in McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo, and Logan counties offer some challenging and scenic terrain.
Mountain biking in the New River Gorge and along park trails at Little Beaver and Grandview offer some strenuous activity. Rock climbing in the New River Gorge is hyped throughout the region.Â
If spelunking is your forte, there are two caves in Greenbrier County: Lost World Caverns and Organ Cave. Both offer some interesting wild caving experiences.
Southern West Virginia whitewater rafting has been named among the best in the East, with some 100 rafting companies in the area.
And though we have some challenging activities for men throughout the area, a public relations director at Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau told me recently:Â there are the same number of activities for women. West Virginia offers something exciting and adventurous for everyone in the family.
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Top o’ the morning!