West Virginia joins Wyoming, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Utah Highlighting Hiking Destination In Us

Published on September 14, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Stunning position of nan New River Gorge successful West Virginia showcasing its rugged beauty

West Virginia has officially joined nan ranks of Wyoming, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Utah, becoming a apical hiking destination successful nan U.S. Known for its rugged mountains, lush forests, and breathtaking vistas, West Virginia offers an unrivaled hiking acquisition that rivals these renowned states.

With its immense web of trails, including nan iconic New River Gorge and nan scenic Appalachian Trail, nan authorities provides hikers pinch divers terrain and unforgettable views. Whether you’re seeking a challenging ascent aliases a serene locomotion done nature, West Virginia’s hiking trails cater to each levels of adventurers.

This inclusion alongside Wyoming, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Utah highlights nan state’s increasing prominence successful nan hiking world. With its earthy beauty and immense wilderness, West Virginia is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts crossed nan country.

Hiking is 1 of nan champion ways to link pinch nature, research caller landscapes, and bask immoderate beingness exercise. The United States is location to a rich | assortment of hiking trails, from upland ranges and forests to volcanic terrains and godforsaken landscapes. Research conducted by EDGE Fall Protection, LLC, looked astatine each 50 states and analysed them based connected 5 cardinal factors: earthy attractions, aerial quality, protected wilderness, hiking engagement, and way infrastructure. The results uncover nan champion states for hiking enthusiasts, and here’s a person look astatine nan findings.

West Virginia, besides known arsenic nan Mountain State, is simply a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Its divers landscapes, from rugged mountains to lush valleys, make it 1 of nan champion places successful nan United States for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a beginner aliases an knowledgeable hiker, West Virginia offers thing for everyone. This article explores immoderate of nan astir celebrated hiking destinations successful nan authorities successful 2025, highlighting nan trails, views, and experiences that await you.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve: A Hiking Paradise

In 2020, New River Gorge was designated arsenic a nationalist park, making it a apical destination for hiking successful West Virginia. With complete 70,000 acres of stunning earthy beauty, nan parkland offers a wide scope of hiking trails. The parkland is celebrated for its breathtaking views of nan New River Gorge, its lush forests, and nan historical remnants of nan ember mining industry.

Endless Wall Trail: A Stunning View of nan Gorge

One of nan champion trails successful nan parkland is nan Endless Wall Trail, which is simply a 2.4-mile loop that offers spectacular views of nan gorge below. The way is well-maintained and takes hikers done dense rhododendron blooms successful nan spring. It’s a comparatively easy hike, but nan views you get on nan measurement are perfectly worthy nan effort. The Endless Wall Trail is simply a cleanable measurement to spot nan grandeur of nan New River Gorge without having to tackle difficult terrain.

Kaymoor Miners Trail: A Walk Through History

If you’re willing successful history, nan Kaymoor Miners Trail is simply a must-see. This strenuous 1.0-mile way takes you down to nan historical Kaymoor ember excavation site. You’ll spot remnants of nan mining operations and study astir nan area’s past. However, nan way tin beryllium challenging, particularly pinch its steep descents. For those who bask a much strenuous hike, this is simply a awesome option. Keep successful mind that nan precocious information of nan way is closed connected weekdays for maintenance, truthful scheme your sojourn accordingly.

Burnwood Trail: A Peaceful Walk Through Old-Growth Forest

For a much relaxed and serene hike, effort nan Burnwood Trail. This 1.2-mile loop takes you done a 12-acre conception of old-growth forest. The way is not only beautiful but besides ecologically significant. As you locomotion done nan forest, you’ll beryllium surrounded by towering trees and nan soothing sounds of nature. It’s a awesome action for those who want to bask nan tranquility of nan park.

Grandview Trail: Panoramic Views Year-Round

Another must-visit way successful New River Gorge is nan Grandview Trail. This way offers panoramic views of nan New River Gorge and is accessible passim nan year. Whether you sojourn successful nan spring, summer, fall, aliases winter, nan views are ever breathtaking. The Grandview Trail is cleanable for hikers looking for a mean hike pinch awesome scenery.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: Where History Meets Nature

Located astatine nan confluence of nan Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is 1 of nan astir historically rich | areas successful West Virginia. The parkland is known for its earthy beauty, its domiciled successful nan Civil War, and its relationship to nan Appalachian Trail. The trails present connection a cleanable blend of history and nature, making it a awesome destination for anyone willing successful some hiking and learning astir American history.

Maryland Heights Trail: A Challenge With a Rewarding View

The Maryland Heights Trail is 1 of nan astir challenging hikes successful Harpers Ferry. It’s a strenuous hike, but nan reward is worthy it. Once you scope nan top, you’ll beryllium treated to stunning views of nan Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, arsenic good arsenic nan historical municipality of Harpers Ferry below. This way is cleanable for those who are up for a situation and want to spot nan municipality from a unsocial perspective.

Appalachian Trail: A Famous Route for Hikers

The Appalachian Trail besides runs done Harpers Ferry, making it a awesome spot for hikers who are looking to acquisition portion of this celebrated trail. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, and Harpers Ferry is 1 of its astir scenic spots. Whether you’re hiking for a time aliases readying a longer adventure, nan Appalachian Trail offers a awesome hiking experience.

Little Beaver State Park: Ideal for Family Hikes

For families and beginners, Little Beaver State Park is simply a cleanable destination. This parkland offers a assortment of easy-to-moderate trails that are awesome for beginners. One of nan highlights of nan parkland is nan Mountaineer Mile Trail, which was introduced successful 2025 by Governor Patrick Morrisey. This inaugural encourages group to locomotion astatine slightest 1 mile a time to beforehand wellness and wellness. The way is easy and accessible, making it cleanable for a casual hike pinch nan family. It’s a awesome spot to commencement if you’re caller to hiking aliases want a relaxed locomotion done nature.

Dolly Sods Wilderness: High-Elevation Hiking successful West Virginia

Located wrong nan Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods Wilderness is 1 of nan astir unsocial hiking destinations successful West Virginia. The area features high-elevation hiking, pinch unsocial alpine-like terrain that includes heath barrens, bogs, and expansive vistas. The views present are perfectly stunning, and nan trails connection a wholly different acquisition compared to nan lower-elevation hikes recovered successful different parts of nan state.

A Hiker’s Paradise

The trails successful Dolly Sods Wilderness are known for their rugged beauty and challenging terrain. Hikers present tin acquisition everything from dense forests to unfastened heath barrens. It’s a awesome destination for those who want to situation themselves and bask a genuinely unsocial hiking experience.

Tips for Hiking successful West Virginia

When hiking successful West Virginia, it’s important to beryllium prepared. Here are immoderate tips to thief you make nan astir of your hiking experience:

1. Wear Appropriate Footwear: Always deterioration sturdy hiking boots aliases shoes that supply bully support and traction. Many of nan trails successful West Virginia tin beryllium rocky aliases slippery, truthful due footwear is essential.
2. Carry Water and Snacks: Make judge to bring capable h2o and immoderate snacks for energy. Hiking tin beryllium exhausting, and it’s important to enactment hydrated and fueled passim your journey.
3. Check nan Weather: The upwind successful West Virginia tin alteration quickly, particularly successful nan mountains. Always cheque nan forecast earlier heading out, and beryllium prepared for abrupt changes successful somesthesia aliases rain.
4. Follow Trail Signs: Always enactment connected marked trails. West Virginia’s hiking trails tin beryllium tricky to navigate, particularly successful nan much distant areas, truthful it’s important to travel signs and way markers.
5. Respect Nature: Leave nary trace erstwhile hiking successful West Virginia. Stay connected nan trails, battalion retired each your trash, and respect nan earthy beauty of nan state.

Why West Virginia Should Be connected Your Hiking List

West Virginia is location to immoderate of nan astir beautiful and divers hiking trails successful nan United States. From nan challenging climbs successful Dolly Sods Wilderness to nan family-friendly trails successful Little Beaver State Park, there’s a way for each type of hiker. Whether you’re looking for a serene locomotion done old-growth forests, a challenging upland ascent, aliases stunning views of rivers and gorges, West Virginia has it all. The state’s earthy beauty, rich | history, and committedness to preserving its landscapes make it a apical destination for hiking successful 2025.

So, battalion your bags, lace up your hiking boots, and research nan stunning trails of West Virginia. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker aliases a beginner, nan Mountain State offers an unforgettable hiking acquisition that you won’t want to miss.

Wyoming: The Best State for Hiking

Wyoming takes nan apical spot arsenic nan champion authorities for hiking successful nan U.S. The authorities scored a full of 40.14 retired of 50, pinch cleanable marks successful some earthy attractions and way infrastructure. Wyoming’s wilderness areas are immense and well-preserved, making it an perfect destination for outdoor lovers. It’s location to stunning nationalist parks for illustration Yellowstone and Grand Teton, which boast expansive trails, chaotic landscapes, and abundant wildlife.

The National Park Service (NPS) manages 85 cardinal acres of onshore crossed nan U.S., and Wyoming’s parks are an important portion of this. Yellowstone National Park unsocial had 4,744,353 recreation visits successful 2024, a 5% summation from nan erstwhile year. This precocious visitation complaint shows that group are drawn to Wyoming’s earthy beauty and well-maintained hiking routes, which makes it a premier destination for hiking.

Hawaii: A Close Contender for First Place

Hawaii comes successful 2nd pinch a people of 39.96 retired of 50, conscionable down Wyoming. The authorities is celebrated for its unthinkable earthy attractions, which see volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and tropical beaches. Hawaii received a cleanable people of 10 for earthy attractions, reflecting its divers and stunning terrain.

However, Hawaii’s people for way infrastructure was little astatine 3.75. This is chiefly because nan terrain tin beryllium difficult and costly to maintain. The volcanic and mountainous areas make it challenging to found and prolong hiking trails, which is simply a awesome facet successful nan state’s little people for infrastructure.

Still, Hawaii’s hiking opportunities are unmatched successful beauty, and those consenting to tackle nan much challenging trails are rewarded pinch breathtaking views and experiences. The islands are a cleanable destination for adventurous hikers who bask exploring unsocial and divers landscapes.

New Hampshire: The Best State for Hiking Engagement

New Hampshire classed 3rd successful nan study pinch a people of 36.07 retired of 50. One of nan standout features of this authorities is its exceptional hiking engagement, which received a cleanable people of ten. This intends that some residents and visitors show a beardown liking successful hiking activities, making it a celebrated authorities for outdoor enthusiasts.

New Hampshire besides scored highly for aerial quality, pinch an awesome 8.66 retired of 10. Fresh upland aerial is simply a large tie for hikers looking for cleanable and patient environments. The state’s beautiful White Mountains and divers way options make it a must-visit for hiking lovers. New Hampshire is perfect for those looking to research quality successful a serene, uncrowded environment, offering a scope of trails suitable for beginners and seasoned hikers alike.

Montana: A State of Balance for Hikers

Montana secured 4th spot pinch a full people of 33.90 retired of 50. The authorities offers a balanced acquisition for hikers, scoring good crossed each 5 categories. Montana’s aerial value was peculiarly strong, and its way infrastructure is well-developed. The state’s nationalist parks, for illustration Glacier National Park, connection hikers nan chance to research majestic upland ranges, pristine lakes, and dense forests.

Montana’s protected wilderness areas besides play a important domiciled successful its precocious ranking. With less crowds compared to different states, Montana offers a much tranquil hiking experience. For those who bask long-distance treks and distant trails, Montana is simply a hidden gem.

Alaska: The Wilderness of nan U.S.

Alaska takes nan 5th spot pinch a people of 33.43 retired of 50. The authorities earned a cleanable people of 10 for protected wilderness, reflecting its immense and untouched earthy areas. Alaska’s chaotic landscapes are 2nd to none, pinch towering mountains, glaciers, and immense tundra that supply unforgettable hiking experiences.

Though Alaska’s way infrastructure is not arsenic developed arsenic different states, its unmatched earthy beauty makes it a premier destination for escapade hikers. The distant wilderness, wildlife encounters, and rugged terrain make Alaska a bucket-list hiking destination for many.

Vermont: The Ideal Place for Clean Air and Scenic Trails

Vermont classed sixth pinch a full people of 31.43 retired of 50. The authorities earned a cleanable people of 10 for aerial quality, making it an perfect destination for hikers who activity clean, crisp upland air. Vermont’s Green Mountains supply scenic trails pinch views of rolling hills, charming towns, and vibrant forests.

The authorities besides offers a assortment of way options, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. Vermont’s aerial value and serene ambiance make it a awesome spot to flight nan hustle and bustle of regular life while enjoying a hike done its stunning landscapes.

Utah: A Hiker’s Dream successful nan Desert

Utah scored 30.68 retired of 50, earning seventh spot connected nan list. Known for its otherworldly landscapes, Utah is simply a dream for hikers who emotion exploring godforsaken canyons, stone formations, and reddish sandstone cliffs. The state’s nationalist parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches, are iconic hiking destinations.

In 2024, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks saw a mixed full of 7,444,667 visitors, a 5% summation from nan erstwhile year. Utah’s beardown people for earthy attractions reflects its divers landscapes, while its hiking engagement people indicates a precocious level of liking successful outdoor activities. Though immoderate trails tin beryllium challenging, nan rewards are stunning views of immoderate of nan astir unsocial landscapes successful nan U.S.

Maine: A Perfect Blend of Wilderness and Clean Air

Maine secured eighth spot pinch a people of 30.38 retired of 50. The authorities is known for its pristine wilderness and beautiful coastline. Maine excels successful aerial quality, earning a precocious people successful that category, and its protected wilderness areas are besides a awesome tie for hikers.

Maine’s Acadia National Park offers a assortment of trails pinch spectacular views of nan Atlantic Ocean, mountains, and forests. The state’s comparatively debased organization density ensures that hiking experiences stay serene and immersive, making it an perfect destination for quality lovers.

Washington: A Diverse Hiking Experience

Washington classed ninth pinch a full people of 30.29 retired of 50. The authorities offers a balanced operation of hiking opportunities, from lush rainforests successful Olympic National Park to snow-capped mountains successful nan Cascades. Washington scored highly for aerial value and protected wilderness, pinch its divers landscapes making it a apical destination for hikers.

Whether you’re looking to research temperate rainforests aliases ascend volcanic peaks, Washington provides thing for each hiker. The state’s well-maintained trails and earthy beauty pull visitors from astir nan world.

West Virginia: A Hidden Gem for Hikers

West Virginia rounded retired nan apical 10 pinch a people of 30.07 retired of 50. The state’s aerial value was a standout feature, earning a cleanable people successful that category. West Virginia’s hiking trails connection an opportunity to research Appalachian landscapes, including dense forests, rugged mountains, and scenic stream valleys.

Though not arsenic well-known arsenic different states connected nan list, West Virginia offers fantabulous hiking experiences for those seeking a quieter and much secluded outdoor adventure. The state’s operation of earthy beauty and cleanable aerial makes it an appealing prime for hikers looking for solitude successful nature.

The Best States for Hiking

Each of nan apical 10 states for hiking offers a unsocial experience, from nan immense wilderness of Wyoming to nan volcanic landscapes of Hawaii. Factors for illustration earthy attractions, way infrastructure, aerial quality, and hiking engagement each play an important domiciled successful determining which states are nan champion for hiking. Whether you’re looking for well-maintained trails, cleanable air, aliases stunning landscapes, these 10 states person thing typical to connection for each hiker. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer aliases a beginner, these destinations are judge to supply unforgettable hiking experiences.

Source: EDGE Fall Protection, LLC