Advertisement

West Virginia Hiking|Nature

Hike Through A Frost Pocket At Cranesville Swamp In West Virginia

By Natalie Clunan | Published September 07, 2019

A few weeks ago, we took you on an adventure to Beartown Boardwalk, a fantastic trail that winds through incredible trees and rock formations in West Virginia. Today’s hike is even “cooler” than that one! Explore a rare frost pocket in the beautiful Cranesville Swamp.

Cranesville Swamp's lush forest and wetland is one of the coolest and soggiest spots in West Virginia. The wind, water, mountains, and temperature combine together here to create a natural phenomenon called a frost pocket.

As air moves across the continent, the hills surrounding Cranesville Swamp steer the chilled air and precipitation down into the valley. The landscape created is much more like a habitat found in northern Canada rather than those typical of the Mountain State.

Advertisement

The best way to explore this unique frost pocket is to take a hike! There are five different trails, each under two miles, to explore.

Advertisement

You'll want to wear sturdy shoes, preferably hiking boots, as some trails can be particularly wet or muddy at times - this is a swamp after all.

The most popular trail is the 1,500-foot boardwalk which allows you to glide right across the wettest parts of the bog.

Travel through the conifer swamp forest under towering red spruce and hemlock. Keep your eyes peeled for the more than 100 species of birds that call this area home.

The cool and wet environment creates a rare landscape to explore. The next time you're seeking a one-of-a-kind outing, hike through the frost pocket at Cranesville Swamp.

Explore another Mountain State trail by boardwalk trail at this gorgeous valley preserve.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Explore West Virginia