Trails for hiking and backpacking are abundant in the part of West Virginia. As a matter of fact, there are four trails practically at your door of the Carnifex Ferry Cottages. The trails vary in length from six-tenths of a mile to two miles and trail difficulty ranges from moderate to strenuous. The trails at Carnifex Ferry State Battlefield afford you the opportunity to see many types of flora and fauna, as well as three magnificent overlooks of the Gauley River Canyon, and the class V+ rapid, “Pillow Rock.” The Driftwood Lodge also offers easy access to hiking trails, two of which are at Summersville Lake. These two trails range in length from one and three-quarters miles to three miles and difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. These trails take you into state wildlife management areas, managed wildlife plots, and excellent views of the lake and recreation areas. Check out the bottom of the page for a really cool and different type of hiking! The Trails Carnifex Ferry Trails
Patterson Trail: This trail features three overlooks of the Gauley River Canyon. Pierson Hollow Trail: Beautiful, mature trees on a trip to the Gauley River. Old Carnifex Road: Used for Confederate General Floyd’s retreat. Fisherman’s Trail: Best access to Pillow Rock. More information can be found on these trails at the Carnifex Ferry State Battlefield web site. Summersville Lake Trails
Battle Run Trail: Access from the beach parking lot. This trail is six miles in length, round trip. It is an easy to moderate hike with a few steep slopes. The trail goes from Battle Run recreation area along the lake into a state wildlife management area and ends in one of many managed wildlife plots. There excellent views of the lake and recreation areas as well as opportunities to see different types of wildlife. Long Point Trail: Access this trail from the archery range, past the airport. It is three and one-half miles in length, round trip. The trail is easy with only mild changes in slope. The trail takes you through a state wildlife management area and ends with a magnificent view of the lake from the top of Long Point. Users must be cautious of footing around the trail’s end. Sheer rock cliffs and open fissures are common. New River Trails
There are many wonderful trails in the New River Gorge and it would take too much space to try and do them justice here. Please follow this link to the New River Trails Site. You’ll find what you are looking for there. These trails are convenient to both the Driftwood Lodge and Carnifex Ferry Cottages. And now for something completely different! New River Llama Treks
New River Gorge
Fayetteville, WV
PO Box 697
Edmond, WV 25837
Phone: (304) 574-1117
Email: llama@cwv.net
Internet: http://www.cwv.net/client/llama/
Advance reservations required!
New River Llama Trekking Co. offers six-hour, “Guided Llama Lunch Hikes,” along the New River Canyon rim and “Guided Overnight Llama Treks” lasting three days and two nights in the Cranberry Backcountry of the Monongahela National Forest. Llama fishing trips are also available. Trips include meals and the llamas of course! Follow the link to their site for more information. |
