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So you’re headed to New River Gorge National Park ready to do some hiking. Is it worth it? Where should you start? What are the best hikes in New River Gorge?
These are some of the same questions I had before my weekend in New River Gorge. As an avid hiker, I’d experienced hiking in many national parks, and this West Virginia park was next on my bucket list.
Hiking in New River Gorge turned out to exceed my expectations. There are so many great family friendly trails, as well as longer hikes to experience more of the area. By reading this trail guide you’ll be prepared to pick the hikes for you and get out on trail.
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Comfort Inn New River is my top pick for where to stay in New River Gorge
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New River Gorge Hiking
Honestly I think New River Gorge is an adventure lover’s paradise. Along with so many adventure sports based out of nearby Fayetteville, New River Gorge National Park is full of great hikes. And it’s free – there’s no entrance fee for this national park!
Since New River Gorge is in West Virginia, hiking in all seasons is possible. I visited New River Gorge in the fall, but spring and summer are also popular times – and with the right gear, winter can be perfect as well.
What makes the area such a great place to hike is the gorge the park gets its name from. The different trails take you to various overlooks offering different perspectives of the vast canyon and the river that runs through.
12 BEST Hikes in New River Gorge
There are so many great hikes in New River Gorge, it’s hard to list them all. But if you want just the top spots, these trails will give you a great introduction to the best of New River Gorge hiking.
1. Long Point Trail
When preparing to hike in New River Gorge, this hike immediately made it on my list. I would argue the Long Point Trail is the #1 hike in New River Gorge National Park because it offers amazing views of both the bridge and the gorge.
It starts out as a relatively flat trail, but as you near Long Point you’ll have to navigate some roots and rocks to get to this amazing view. I hiked this trail at sunset and it was spectacular. Expect crowds – this one is popular!
Quick Facts
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Map: AllTrails
2. Endless Wall Trail
Ask anyone in New River Gorge where you should go hiking, and they’re likely to mention the Endless Wall Trail. This trail takes you to views of the “Endless Wall” the ridge line of the gorge of exposed rock that overlooks the river.
There’s multiple ways you can hike this trail, since there are two different trailheads. Some people hike this as a loop, but hiking from one trailhead out to Diamond Point and back to your car is just as beautiful.
Quick Facts
- Length: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Map: AllTrails
3. Castle Rock Trail
This hike will blow your mind. The rock formations found along this trail are super unique, with rocks jutting out to create a castle-like structure. Beware though, this is a more difficult hike, with lots of rocks to climb up and down, and plenty of elevation change. Be prepared to put in a little effort for the reward.
Quick Facts
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Time: 1 hour
- Map: AllTrails
Best Easy Hikes in New River Gorge
New River Gorge has a great selection of easier hikes that the whole family can enjoy.
4. Tunnel Trail
I really enjoyed hiking the Tunnel Trail. Even though it was only just over half a mile, there were lots of interesting points along the trail with rock caves, steps taking you down and around rock formations, and beautiful scenery the whole route.
This would be a fun trail for kids to see and explore. For me, it was a perfect morning hike after I enjoyed the view from Grandview Overlook.
Quick Facts
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 30 minutes
- Map: AllTrails
5. Grandview Rim Trail
The trails at Grandview are most known for their proximity to the expansive views of the horseshoe bend in the New River. And the Grandview Rim Trail is a great way to experience them.
This flat dirt path will take you to several lookout points along the rim of the gorge, and there’s plenty of opportunities for spectacular photos. The full length is 1.6 miles one way, but if you walk just a portion of it, it’s an easy way to get great views.
Quick Facts
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Map: AllTrails
6. Canyon Rim Overlook Trail
Just outside the Canyon Rim Visitor Center are paths that take you to a boardwalk and steps to catch a view of the New River Gorge Bridge. You’ll be seeing the bridge from all angles on your visit, and this is a great way to see it up close. Be sure to check out both the upper and lower platforms.
Quick Facts
- Length: 0.4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 20 minutes
- Map: AllTrails
Best Hikes in Fayetteville WV
Fayetteville West Virginia is the nearest town to New River Gorge National Park. Venturing out from town can give you another perspective of the gorge and it’s beautiful setting. Plus driving Fayette Station Road to get to some of the best hikes in New River Gorge will give you a nice scenic drive.
7. Bridge Trail
This trail is a shorter, but strenuous one as it hikes up under the New River Gorge Bridge until you’re directly at its base. It’s definitely less crowded, so if you’re looking for a more secluded trail for a challenging hike, this one would be a good choice, and shows off the iconic bridge as well.
Plus, since you’re directly underneath, when you look up, you might be able to see the New River Gorge bridge walk tours on the catwalk!
Quick Facts
- Length: 1.7 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Time: 1 hour
- Map: AllTrails
8. Fayetteville Trail
For a longer trail, the Fayetteville Trail can be tailored to whatever length you would like. If you hike it out and back it’s 7.9 miles but it also connects to many of the other trails in New River Gorge, including the Bridge Trail, Kaymoor Trail and the Long Point Trail.
You could spend a whole day exploring these trails, walking all around this side of the gorge, crossing creeks, and finding the best parts of trail.
Quick Facts
- Length: 7.9 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Time: 4 hours
- Map: AllTrails
9. Kaymoor Miners Trail
The highlight of this trail is that it takes you to an abandoned mining site from the early 1900s. The Kaymoor Miners Trail is a steep route down to the mine via a number of staircases and rocky descents.
Once you’re at the bottom, you can see some of the historic pieces of the mine, including a safety board used to trail accidents at the mine, as well as some structures left behind.
Quick Facts
- Length: 1.6 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Map: AllTrails
Best Hikes With Waterfalls
You should definitely hike to see some waterfalls near New River Gorge. Whether its a smaller stream or a cascading falls, here are a few places to check out.
10. Cathedral Falls
I stumbled upon this hike (more like a short walk) by mistake. I was just driving Highway 60 to get to New River Gorge and saw a sign for a roadside waterfall. Cathedral Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in West Virginia and incredibly beautiful.
It had slowed to just a trickle when I was there due to a drought, but can become a rushing falls. The small path and pool is beautiful either way!
Quick Facts
- Length: 0.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 10 minutes
- Map: AllTrails
11. Sandstone Falls
These may be the most famous falls in New River Gorge. The river runs over a huge area of rocks, creating a collection of massive falls all the way across.
It’s a little bit of a drive to get to Sandstone Falls as they are on the very south end of the park. There’s a nice path and boardwalk leading up to the waterfalls.
Quick Facts
- Length: 1.0 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 30 minutes
- Map: AllTrails
12. Glade Creek
This is a trail you won’t hear about as often, but if you’re a waterfall seeker, you’ll want to enjoy this one. It’s a longer trail, so once again you can pick how much you want to hike.
There’s some areas that are good for swimming in the creek, and while you’re there be sure to take the side trail to Kate’s Falls.
Quick Facts
- Length: 9.6 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 4 hours
- Map: AllTrails
Recommended Gear
While New River Gorge isn’t a technical area where you’ll need a lot of hiking equipment, you don’t want to forget the basics and a few items that will make your New River Gorge hiking more enjoyable.
✅Hiking poles – REI Traverse Trekking Poles
I forgot to pack my hiking poles for my trip to New River Gorge and I definitely should have had them. There were a few of the difficult hiking trails with rocky terrain which would have been more steady if I’d had the extra points for balance.
✅Water Bottle – Nalgene 32 oz Water Bottle
There are NO water fountains at many of the trailheads, so come prepared ahead of time with a large water bottle and keep it filled. A good Nalgene bottle will carry a large amount of water and stay securely closed so it’s not leaking in your pack.
✅Day Hiking Backpack – REI Flash 22 Daypack
You don’t want something bulky when hiking in New River Gorge, especially when you’re just out for a day hike. A small backpack is all you need to keep your hands free so you don’t have to while holding your water.
✅Hiking Boots – Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Boots
While you could hike New River Gorge in tennis shoes, having hiking boots with good traction and ankle support is a wise choice especially on the rocky terrain. The Columbia Newton Ridge boots are a good entry level price point hiking boot that I’ve loved.
Where To Stay Nearby
Fayetteville is the most convenient place to stay for your trip to New River Gorge. Many of the trails start there and you’re not far from the bridge and the main section of the park. I found during our stay in Fayetteville we were never more than a 10-15 minute drive from most of the restaurants and many of our activities as well.
📍Lafayette Flats – These boutique rooms above some shops in town are a cute and cozy option. They have everything you need to make your stay perfect!
📍Comfort Inn New River – I stayed at this hotel near Fayetteville and found it to be just what I needed. A great homebase for a hiking stay, complete with free breakfast!
📍The Outpost – This campground in New River Gorge looks so welcoming! They have cabins, RV and tent sites and even some vintage campers you can rent.
FAQs: Hiking in New River Gorge
A few extra answers to the most common questions about hiking in New River Gorge.
What is the most popular hike in New River Gorge?
If you would have asked me I would probably have guessed Long Point to be the most popular trail in New River Gorge. And that’s definitely my favorite. But Endless Wall Trail might edge out Long Point as the most popular hike. Both have excellent views of the best of New River Gorge National Park.
Does New River Gorge have waterfalls?
Since the New River runs right through the heart of the park, there are plenty of streams and creeks that run off from the river, making perfect spots for waterfalls.
For example, when I was driving Fayette Station Road I stopped off at the Wolf Creek Trailhead and saw one of the smaller falls that are scattered through the area.
How much does it cost to go to the New River Gorge?
New River Gorge National Park is free! There is no entrance fee, unlike many national parks, which makes New River Gorge a perfect place for a spontaneous hiking trip!
Enjoy Hiking New River Gorge
Since New River Gorge was the newest national park when I visited, I wasn’t expecting a lot. I figured it would have some nice trails but the focus would be eclipsed by the bridge.
But New River Gorge was a true hiking destination. The trails were great, with plenty of amazing views and great scenery. You can’t go wrong with any of these hikes in New River Gorge National Park.
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