
This year, we celebrate Mountain Day on Saturday, December 11th. It's an opportunity to embrace and reflect on the majesty that mountains bring to our lives, and our real estate agents can't think of a better place to do that than the Morgantown, WV, area.
After all, mountains are in our blood here in West Virginia. It's the only U.S. state that lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range, and has the highest average elevation of any state in the East. If you're in West Virginia on Mountain Day this year, be sure to check out one of these amazing mountain hikes that are close enough for a day trip from Morgantown.
- Raven Rock Trail, Coopers Rock State Forest - Roadside Trail, Masontown, WV 26542
Offering one of the best views in the Morgantown area, the Raven Rock Trail is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike in Coopers Rock State Forest. A moderately strenuous hike, the trail leads hikers through quiet woodlands to the Raven Rock Overlook, which provides an expansive view across the Cheat River valley. The trailhead is located at one of the State Forest Parking Lots, just 20 minutes from Morgantown and convenient to these Morgantown homes for sale.
- Castle Rock Trail Loop, New River Gorge National River - Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813
A 1.2-mile loop formed by portions of the Castle Rock Trail and the Rim Trail, the route known as the Castle Rock Trail Loop offers some of the most eye-catching scenery along the New River Gorge. Featuring clifftop views, rhododendron tunnels, and unique rock formations, it's a moderately challenging hike with big rewards. The trailhead for the Castle Rock Loop Trail is located at the Grandview Visitors Canter, a little over three hours from Morgantown.
- Overlook Rock Trail, Kanawha State Forest - Charleston, WV 25314
Situated about two and a half hours from Morgantown in the mountains overlooking Charleston, WV, the Overlook Rock Trail packs a lot of scenery into a short hike. This 1.6-mile loop gets its steepest section out of the way first thing, before leveling out and leading hikers through the serene landscape of Kanawha State Forest to a picturesque viewpoint. Leashed pets are allowed, making the Overlook Rock Trail an excellent dog-friendly hike. The state forest offers 25 total miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
- Blackbird Knob, Monongahela National Forest - Petersburg, WV 26847
If you're looking for a longer hike through splendid mountain scenery, the Blackbird Knob Trail is a great option. This 8.5-mile out-and-back trail traverses a high plateau with excellent views across the Appalachian Mountains. Its high point, roughly halfway through the trail, is the 3,947-foot summit of Blackbird Knob. As beautiful as it is, this can be a challenging hike in winter. The Blackbird Knob trailhead is about two hours from Morgantown, and it's one of many amazing trails within Monongahela National Forest, which spans over 900,000 acres.
- Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail - Cheat Mountain, West Virginia 26294
Following a 3.8-mile section of improved fire road along a beautiful, wooded ridge line, the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail is about two hours from Morgantown. It's a moderately difficult trail with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain, but the fire tower at the end of the trail provides a panoramic view of the surrounding forest. The Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail is very close to Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort and is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Contact us today to learn more about life in the Morgantown, WV area! For anyone with a thirst for adventure and a love of the outdoors, it's a perfect place to call home.