A Beginner’s Manual to Guided Hikes In West Virginia

Name a better place to get out and hike the great outdoors other than right here in the Mountain State. Filled with rolling mountains and low river valleys, West Virginia’s landscapes are carved with family-friendly hikes, backcountry trails and everything in between. Discover a new path with ease by taking any of these guided hiking tours.

ACE Adventure Resort

Guided hikes are offered year-round with ACE Adventure Resort. Here, skilled guides will lead you to some of the most spectacular sights within the New River Gorge – America’s newest national park. Enjoy miles of trails without the stress of making the wrong turn. Have your choice between a half or full-day hike with challenge options ranging from kid-friendly, beginner, experienced and most challenging. There is sure to be the perfect trip to accommodate every ability level and an enjoyable experience is a guarantee.

Adventures on the Gorge Resort

Adventures on the Gorge also offers guided hikes in this beloved region of Almost Heaven. Let the informed guides give you an inside peak at the area’s best trails as well as side excursions along the way. The two-hour tours offered here are the perfect addition to add to any fun-filled day. The minimum age required is eight years old, so you can bring along the entire family to see some of the most breathtaking overlooks and panoramic vistas of the New River Gorge.

Wild Wonderful Outdoor Adventures

Explore one of the many abandoned coal mines hidden within The New River Gorge with this guided hike from Wild Wonderful Outdoor Adventures. This trip takes hikers on a journey to what once was the prospering coal town of Lansing while giving them an inside look at the history of West Virginia’s booming coal industry. This informative trek lasts about 2 hours and is open to dogs as long as they are on a leash.

Appalachian Expeditions

Set out on a quest within the Monongahela National Forest with a guided hike from Appalachian Expeditions throughout Dolly Sods Wilderness. Catch all the highlights of what makes this area such a gem as you cross creeks, pass red spruce, climb wind-carved sandstone and meander through grassy meadows. Both half-day and full-day trips are available, with discounts available for larger groups.

Into the Backcountry

Those up for a challenge should participate in a guided backpacking tour with Into the Backcountry. The Cranberry Wilderness trip traverses one of the few remaining wild and remote places in the eastern United States – the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. This region provides an extensive network of trails that offer a variety of different route options. One of the best options is an 18.5-mile loop that showcases the North-South and Middle Fork trails.

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This post was last updated on May 12, 2023