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Welcome! This site is focused on the New River Gorge and Summersville Lake area and the wonderful trails the area has to offer.
Wild West Virginia is host to lots of great activities. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, then the New River Gorge area is for you. This site is dedicated to the New River and Summersville Lake area. We will start our journey from the top; bringing you some great trails in the Summersville Lake area and work our way down to the New River area. So without further ado, let's go hiking! Happy Trails!
SUMMERSVILLE LAKE
Summersville lake is a 2800 acre gem in Nicholas County, West Virginia, just off U.S. Route 19. The lake is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, recreation, and power generation. The lake is formed by a massive, rock-fill dam that straddles the steep canyon of the Gauley River. The dam is 390 feet high (about as tall as a 40-story building) and 2,280 feet long and is the second largest of its type in the eastern US.
Recreation Around Summersville Lake
During weekends in September and October, water is released from the dam into the Gauley River to provide plenty of white water and rapids for rafters and kayaker. The lake level is eventually lowered to its winter pool elevation of 1,575 feet to provide maximum space for the storage of flood waters. During the early spring, beginning around April 1, the lake is allowed to rise about 80 feet to 1,652 feet above sea level. This level is maintained for summer recreation. Summersville Lake is, indeed, a haven for all kinds of recreation. There's fishing, boating, bicycling, scuba diving and water skiing. In addition, there are two campgrounds, three boat launching sites, a marina, a swimming beach, a visitor center, six picnic areas, an archery range, and hiking trails.
One of these hiking trails leads to Long Point. If you want to see where you're going before you get there, stop at the Long Point Overlook on Highway 129 (GPS: Lat. 38.21040, Long. -80.87435) just a mile and a half east of the dam. You'll get a great view of the blue-green waters of Summersville Lake and the rugged sandstone cliffs that hem it in. According to the West Virginia Geologic Survey, the cliffs are composed of the Lower Nuttall Sandstone, a massive, light-brown to gray sandstone.
The Long Point Trail
The Long Point trailhead (GPS: Lat. 38.23387, Long. -80.86593) is located at an archery range near the Summersville Airport. Before you leave your vehicle, make sure you've packed a camera because you're going to be rewarded with a visual feast! It's an easy 1.8 miles hike out to Long Point. There are a few ups and downs, but for the most part the trail gently undulates through the forest. It follows an old road for about a half mile before branching off along a broad ridge that progressively narrows as you approach Long Point. The Corps has placed signposts at half a mile intervals, so you can easily measure your progress. Just beyond the 1.5 mile marker, the trail cuts through a rhododendron thicket. Though it's difficult to see beyond the road, the ridge is narrowing, and you are getting closer to Long Point. At the trail's end a sign is posted saying: "Warning, Trail Ends Here." It doesn't. But it does mean you have to be careful, for beyond the sign you'll be near sheer rock cliffs and open fissures in the rocks. Don't be put off by this. Just watch your step for the next 50 to 100 feet and you'll walk out onto the tip of Long Point. Now it's time to get your camera out. The promontory at Long Point once sat above a sweeping, hotshot bend in the Gauley River. Now is stands as a castle surrounded by Summersville Lake. At the end of the point, you're treated to a nearly 360-degree panorama of sky, rock, and water.
At this point, you will have been well rewarded for your efforts, but quite frankly the best is ahead, and the real adventure lies between two pine trees just a few yards back on the trail. When you have soaked in all the scenery at Long Point, return to the sign marking the end of the trail. From the sign post pace off 150 steps along the trail away from the point. This should put you close to two small pine trees growing about a foot apart. Turn to the left and follow a ''bush wacked" trail-a patch word down by occasional hikers. It leads to a depression near the edge of the cliff.
Now here's where nature has been kind. The cliffs at Long Point are shear and steep, over 100' high, and normally only rock climbers could scale down to the base of them. But to the left of the depression you'll find the head of a narrow cleft in the massive rock walls of the cliffs. This crevice is like an enclosed stairway which runs from the top of the cliff to the bottom. It's easy to negotiate and not a bit dangerous. In fact, the rock walls surround you as you descend.
You emerge from the crevice at the base of the cliffs. If you're visiting Long Point during the low water levels between November and April, then hold your breath because you are about to enter that a new world'. Timing is everything here. During this period the lake is at low water and the scenery below lake level is revealed. I would also add a word of caution. Don't proceed if there's any snow or ice on the rocks. They're a challenge to negotiate as it is. But with ice it is really dangerous. I find March to be the best time for this hike because temperatures have warmed up. But don't wait till mid April. By then the lake will be too high to walk around Long Point.
Pirate’s Cove
(Waterfalls, caves and cliffs)
Trailhead: Lat. 38.24603, Long. -80.85629
You will want to park at the parking lot just north of the Hughes Ferry Bridge on US19. Visible by highway.
Near the Parking lot, take the road leading up to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill, bear left and follow road down long rocky stretch. At bottom of hill (approx. ½ mile from trailhead), take path that veers to the left and crosses stream on old log bridge. Just as you start climbing rocky road, take road that junctions right. Stay on road until you come to another road junction and bear right again. Now you are on road to scenic adventure.
After about a quarter mile, look for broad way leading off to the right. You’ll probably catch a glimpse of the lake from here. If the lake is at high water, this is the only way to Pirate’s cove by land. Follow this broad trail down to the edge of the cliffs. By then you should be able to hear the waterfall at Pirate’s cove. Grab the bush wacked trail down from the clearing and work your way down the rocks to the ‘rock island’. It’s a pretty cool trip down. From the rock island you can get to shore for an awesome view of the falls.
Pirate’s cove is just phase 1 of the fun. If you still have a thirst for more you can work your way back up the rocks to the main road and turn right. Continue for about a 1/5 of a mile and look for a worn trail to the right. Follow it down to the creek bed and continue on stream side trail to the top of the cliff. There you will find another waterfall and a wood ladder down the cliff. It’s a pretty cool setup. Go down the ladder to base of cliff. Continue about 50 feet to a junction and bear left. Follow worn path that hugs the base of the cliffs. You are now in rock climber heaven. If you still have energy you can keep going and there is a pretty cool cave that sits confluence of the Hominy River and Summersville Lake.
Summersville Lake Area- Muddlety Trail
With three miles of trail under a canopy of mature trees, this trail is an easy walk with picnic facilities at the Jones Hole area. Muddlety Creek runs along the trail. Bridges make water crossing very easy adn there are numerous opportunities to see wildlife and beautiful wild orchids. Several historic sites are found along the trail including Starbuck Textile Mill and Campbell Power Plant. The entrance to this trail is on Scenic Rt. 39 just off Rt. 19
Whippoorwill Cliffs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Q13fm-7pk
https://www.mountainproject.com/v/whippoorwill/106010457
Whippoorwill cliffs:
Lat: 38.23220, Long: -80.85063
Whippoorwill Rd, US 19 west side of the highway just before the bridge. Follow road until it ends. Follow down to Summersville Lake.
Short walk and good view. Good Rock climbing spot.
Salmon Run
Located just south of Summersville and easily accessible from Rt. 9, Salmon Run is well maintained and passes through fields and forest areas. Along the way, you will find a rock wall, wooden bridge and a cemetery. Also there are several old homesteads.
Approx 2.15 miles and ends at beautiful Summersville Lake.
Battle Run Campground
Battle Run Trail- This trail is located on the south side of Summersville Lake in the Battle Run Campground. The trail runs approximately 3.2 miles along the water and through the wooded areas near Battle Run campground. There are many scenic spots along the way and it is a wonderful place for a picnic. As an added bonus, there is a beach located at the location so if you are hiking in the summertime, you can always stop and take a dip to cool off.
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
This state park is positioned between the south west side of Summersville lake and the Gauley River. It hosts a load of civil war history, scenic views, and a few pretty good trails as well.
Pierson Hollow Trail- This is a short trail that leads a little deeper into the forest. There are many rock formations along the .45 mile long trail. The area along the trail is known for a little ‘friendly fire’ incident amongst the Union army during the Civil War.
Patterson Trail- This trail is approximately 2 miles and loops around the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. Visitors can enjoy views of the Gauley and some more Civil war history. It’s a good ‘easy level’ bike trail in my opinion.
Old Carnifex Ferry Road Trail- This trail is my personal favorite in the park. The actual state park trail is only .18 miles long. However, you can continue on past the state park boundaries into the Gauley River National Rec Area for another 1.7 miles down to the Gauley River. A hike worth taking if you enter into the state park for some action.
THE LEGEND OF KOONTZ TUNNEL
38.242548, -81.044939
This trail is a 15 minute drive west of Summersville Lake. It's a really good hike… if you have the guts. This hike boasts approx. a 2 mile hike (4 if you count the way back) with one waterfall, a bridge that spans over the gauley river and a rumored ‘haunted’ tunnel. The journey starts at 38.242548, -81.044939…just grab a parking spot by the side of the railroad after you cross Peter’s Creek. Follow the railway towards the Gauley. You will cross two river banks via the railway. About a mile and a half or so, you will come to Peter’s Creek Falls on the right. Traverse the roped trail down to the falls now or wait until the way back. About another 1/3 of a mile further and you will come to Peter’s creek Junction on the left. There you will find a long bridge that spans the Gauley. It is a beautiful site. Just on the other side of the bridge, is the eerie Koontz Tunnel. This tunnel is rumored to be haunted. Rumors began before the tunnel was built. A woman was found dead during the making of the tunnel. The cause of death was never determined. In the late 90’s a man was found dead ‘presumably hung himself’. Some visitors have claimed seeing a young woman in a white dress standing the middle of the tunnel. Oh yeah…the woman who was found dead, was wearing a white dress. Good luck! Again, it’s a great hike…if you dare.
Hawks Nest
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Just below the lodge at Hawks Nest State Park, fabled Lovers Leap Rock juts out into the New River Gorge. It was there that, according to GW Swain, Little Swan, a Cherokee maiden, and Running Deer, a Shawnee brave, plunged to their deaths. As legend has it, because their parents opposed their marriage, the couple chose death together rather than life apart. In essence, they helped define Hawks Nest as a jumping off point of sorts. It is in that same spirit, that we will define this area as a great jumping off point for the following trails...
HAWKS NEST STATE PARK
To be sure, there is a lot to do at Hawks Nest. They have a lodge and dining room, a swimming pool, an aerial tram, a gift shop, a nature center, and a museum of Indian and pioneer artifacts. You can hike, fish, boat, and play tennis and basketball. You can even take a jet boat ride up Hawks Nest Lake to the New River Gorge Bridge. Even with these attractions, there's a lot more to enjoy nearby.
HAWKS NEST TRAIL
Northern trailhead (GPS: Lat 38.13070, Long. -81.10131) is located near the town of Ansted. The trail descends along the banks of Mill Creek about 1.8 miles to the trail's end at the nature center at the base of the aerial tram. The trail follows the route of a narrow gauge railroad built up the ravine of Mill Creek in 1874 by coal mine owners to connect mines with the main line railroad on the New River. Hiking this trail, you'll find old mine openings, two beautiful train trestles, and other remnants of the coal mining and rail service. Aside, from the historical interests, the trail boasts two waterfalls. One lies on Fox Branch, a small side stream about a half mile up the trail from the bottom. The other straddles Mill Creek at about the one mile mark. The town of Ansted is to be commended for the vision and work they have put into this trail!
Also, as noted above, the base of the trail houses the aerial tram at the Hawks Nest State Park. So with a little strategic planning, you don't have to hike two ways.
Cathedral Falls
(GPS: Lat. 38.15389, Long. -81.17967). 6 Miles west from Hawks Nest State Park on US Route 60.
One of the most breathtaking falls in West Virginia. The waters of Crane Branch, a tributary to the New River, tumble over 60 feet in a series of falls and dazzling cascades. Indeed, Cathedral Falls isn't one waterfall, but many-each lovely in its own right.
Another great feature of the Cathedral Falls is its accessibility. Some of the more beautiful falls that I've seen are remote and take the resolve of a mountain goat to reach. But Cathedral Falls is right of US 60 at a little roadside rest about a mile east of the Gauley Bridge. There's a covered picnic table, and the trail for viewing is wheel chair accessible. For that matter the falls can be seen quite nicely from the parking lot. This sight should be on everyone's map. It's lovely, it's approachable and it's well worth a visit.
NEW RIVER
Here's a link to great site regarding New River Trails...
https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/upload/trail-newsletter-2012-final.pdf
