Which New River Gorge National Park Hiking Trail is Right for You?

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Quiz Questions

1.
How long do you want to hike?
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- A.
  1-2 hours
- B.
  2-3 hours
- C.
  4+ hours
2.
How difficult of a hike do you want?
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- A.
  Easy - Mostly Flat
- B.
  Moderate - Some Elevation Change
- C.
  Challenging - Steeper and/or Rocky
3.
In what section do you want to hike?
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- A.
  Anywhere in the New River Gorge National Park
- B.
  Northern - Near Fayetteville and the New River Gorge Bridge
- C.
  Southern - Near Grandview, Hinton and Sandstone Falls

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Headhouse Trail
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LENGTH: .7 miles (1.4 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Nuttall Sandstone/Rock Formations, Historic Coal Industry Remnants, Less-TraveledSPECIAL NOTES: This trail connects to the .59 mile Conveyor Trail which has more historic coal complex remnants. Toilet at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
2.
Bridge Trail
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LENGTH: .83 miles (1.66 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vistas, Bridge View, Nuttall Sandstone/Rock FormationsSPECIAL NOTES: Parts of this trail are steep and rocky. It passes under the New River Gorge Bridge. No toilets at the trailhead. Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
3.
Kaymoor Trail
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LENGTH: 8.34 miles (16.68 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 9 hours*DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vistas, Beautiful Waterfall, Nuttall Sandstone, Historic Coal Industry Remnants, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Begin at the Cunard Rd. trailhead. No toilets at trailhead. *This trail can be broken into smaller but still extremely enjoyable out & back sections depending our your available time frame.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
4.
Kaymoor Miner's Trail
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LENGTH: .68 miles (1.36 out & back total)TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hours DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHighlights: Spectacular Vistas, Waterfall, Nuttall Sandstone, Historic Coal Industry Remnants, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This trail runs from the top of the Gorge to the river bottom and contains 820 step stairway. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
5.
Butchers Branch Trail
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LENGTH: .66 miles + .16 climber's spur (1.64 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful Waterfall, Nuttall Sandstone/Rock Formations, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Take the short climber's spur to see the waterfall and a beautiful rock wall popular with climbers. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
6.
Long Point Trail
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LENGTH: 1.5 miles (3 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vista, Bridge View, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This is one of the most popular trails. Avoid it during peak hours. Parking will be limited. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
7.
Fayetteville Trail
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LENGTH: 3.93 miles (7.86 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 4 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Bridge View, Nuttall Sandstone/Rock Formations, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Start at the Kaymoor Top trailhead. This trail connects to 5 other trails in the Fayetteville area. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
8.
Craig Branch Trail
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LENGTH: 2.19 miles (4.38 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Nuttall Sandstone/Rock Formations, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This trail connects to the Arrowhead Trail System. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
9.
Southside Trail
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LENGTH: 6.4 miles (12.8 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 7 hours*DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Riverside, Nuttall Sandstone/Rock Formations, Historic Coal Community Remnants, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Great wildflower trail in April & May. Provides access to the historic cemetery on Red Ash Island. Toilets near the trailhead. *This trail can be broken into smaller but still extremely enjoyable out & back sections depending our your available time frame.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
10.
Brooklyn Mine Trail
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LENGTH: 2.83 miles (5.66 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 3 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy - ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Winter Views of the River, Nuttall Sandstone, Historic Coal Industry Remnants, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This is a popular trail for horseback riding. No toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
11.
Stone Cliff Trail
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LENGTH: 3.01 miles (6.02 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 3 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Riverside, Spectacular Vistas, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: There is a certified old-growth forest in this area. Toilets near the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
12.
Big Branch Trail
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LENGTH: 2 mile loopESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful Waterfalls, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: This trail goes through the ruins of an old hillside homestead. Toilets near the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
13.
Gwinn Ridge Trail
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LENGTH: 3.16 mile loopESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This is a very quiet trail in an older forest. No toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
14.
Island Loop Trail
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LENGTH: .62 mile loopESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Riverside, Beautiful WaterfallSPECIAL NOTES: This trail provides access to incredible views of Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall in the New River Gorge. This area is very popular and has ample parking. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
15.
Grandview Rim Trail
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LENGTH: 1.63 miles (3.26 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vistas, Rock Formations, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: The trail ends at the Turkey Spur Overlook. Climb its 128 steps to have a 360-degree view of the area. Toilets near the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
16.
Castle Rock Trail
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LENGTH: .53 miles (1.06 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hourDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vista, Rock FormationsSPECIAL NOTES: This trail is short but technically a bit challenging. Toilets near the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
17.
Grandview Area Trails
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LENGTH: .5 - 15 milesESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2-3 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy - ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vistas, River View, Rock FormationsSPECIAL NOTES: Within the compact Grandview section of the park there are six trails and several walkways. Ample parking and toilets at the trailheads.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
18.
Little Laurel Trail
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LENGTH: 2.5 miles (5 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 3 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: River View, Rock Formations, Historic Coal Community Remnants, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Start at the Grandview trailhead. Toilets near the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
19.
Polls Plateau Trail
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LENGTH: 3.5 mile lollypop loop ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate - ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: It is easy to get turned around in this remote area. Make sure to take your trail guide. No toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
20.
Glade Creek Trail
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LENGTH: 5.69 miles + .11 spur to waterfall (12.14 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 6 hours*DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EasyHIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful Waterfall, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek Crossing, Trailhead Near New RiverSPECIAL NOTES: The northern trailhead has restrooms and a picnic area. *This trail can be broken into smaller but still extremely enjoyable out & back sections depending our your available time frame.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
21.
Nuttallburg Top to Bottom
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LENGTH: 2.5 miles (5 down & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 4 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Riverside, Nuttall Sandstone, Historic Coal Complex & Community RemnantsSPECIAL NOTES: Start at the Headhouse Trail then proceed to Conveyor Trail. Next, take a small section of Keeneys Creek Trail to Town Loop Connector. There are several short, flat trails in this old mining town that allow you to explore the ruins through interpretive signage. Toilets at the top and bottom.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
22.
Bluestone Turnpike Trail
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LENGTH: 8 miles (16 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 8 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy - ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Riverside, Creek Crossings, Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: This trail runs from Bluestone State Park to Pipestem State Park. It is part of the Bluestone National Scenic River.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
23.
Polls & Kates Double Loop
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LENGTH: 9.5 mile (2 loop trails + connector)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 5 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Less-Traveled, Heavy Forest CanopySPECIAL NOTES: Hike Polls Plateau Trail loop then connect to Kates Plateau Trail loop then head back to the Polls/Kates Plateau Trailhead. It is easy to get turned around in this remote area. Make sure to take your trail guide. No toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
24.
Dalton Trail
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LENGTH: 6.51 miles + .6 to loop (7.1 mile total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 4 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: ModerateHIGHLIGHTS: Heavy Forest Canopy, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: This is the longest of the Arrowhead Biking & Hiking Trails. Use Craig Branch Trail to close the loop. Toilets at the trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.
25.
Kaymoor Trail with Miner's Steps
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LENGTH: 8.7 miles (17.4 out & back total)ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT: 9 hoursDEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: VERY ChallengingHIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular Vistas, Beautiful Waterfall, Nuttall Sandstone, Historic Coal Industry Remnants, Creek CrossingSPECIAL NOTES: Begin at the Cunard Rd. trailhead. At 6.2 miles in, travel down 820 steps to Kaymoor Bottom. Travel back up and continue 2.14 miles to complete the trail. No toilets at trailhead.Find trailhead and check road & trail closures.