The One Incredible Trail That Spans The Entire State of West Virginia
By Geoff Foster
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Published March 24, 2018
There are trails all over West Virginia, crisscrossing the state like a broken spider web. But there is only one that stretches across the entire state. Take a look:
The Allegheny Trail is a 330-mile trail that winds its way along the eastern border of West Virginia. The entire trail is marked with golden blazes.
The trail begins in southeastern WV, on Peters Mountain, where the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory is located, near the Virginia/West Virginia border. At the observatory, you can view the migratory path of large raptors, such as hawks, eagles, and falcons.
From there, the trail itself starts working its way northward, toward the Greenbrier Valley and into Monongahela National Forest.
Along the way, you will encounter local wildlife, both large and small. You will pass through woodlands, over streams, roads, farmlands, and state parks. There are also plenty of places to camp and fish along the way.
Certain areas might be a bit more difficult to traverse than others, so it is important to come prepared for any contingency, such as spare clothes and a waterproof backpack to keep your supplies dry.
The trail ends on the northern border of the state near Bruceton Mills, marking the state line between West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The border also marks the Mason-Dixon line. Though almost complete, there is still about 20 miles of the trail left to develop.
So, if you are looking for a hiking adventure, and have the time to devote to it, this is one trail to consider. You can even hike short, easier portions of the trail!
For more information about the trail, be sure to visit their website here .
What parts of the Allegheny have you traversed? Has anyone reading this tackled the entire trail? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.
To learn more about West Virginia, check out this quaint little trail that is the shortest and sweetest hike in West Virginia.
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