Mark Down these Family-Friendly Hikes and Bikes for Summer

Almost Heaven makes it easy for you and your family to spend time together outdoors. While hiking and biking trails vary in various levels of difficulty, here are some perfect for the whole family.

Hikes

West Virginia Wildlife Center Trail – There’s nothing more magical to a child than seeing a majestic wild animal. You’re guaranteed to see a few furry critters along the zoo-like nature trail at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. It winds past owl, raccoon, fox, cougar and other habitats so you can get a look at wildlife in its natural environment.

Trout Pond Loop – Loop four miles around the waters of the state’s only natural lake at Trout Pond Recreation Area in the scenic reaches of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Stop off to dip a line in the water, or treat everyone to an optional 2-mile side route to a panoramic overlook of Rockcliff Lake.

Seneca Rocks Trail – The 3-mile trek up to the iconic peak of Seneca Rocks may be all uphill, but winding switchbacks lead you gently and gradually upward, which makes it manageable even for the little ones. It’s a popular one for families, so on a nice day, you’ll see plenty of folks taking the stroll.

Bikes

Meadow River Trail – Starting at the head of the Meadow River Gorge in Nallen, you will be treated to tunnel-like foliage, plentiful swimming holes, and a nice easy grade on this old rail trail. If you make it all the way down below the Route 19 bridge, you’ll encounter a cool old tunnel.

Greenbrier River Trail – The full 78 miles of this moderate rail-trail may be a bit much for family fun (unless your family loves multi-day bikepacking or long endurance days). But with multiple access points along the beautiful Greenbrier River at Lewisburg, Renick and Marlinton, this trail gives you a lot of options. Its one percent grade and hard-packed gravel make it accessible for almost all skill levels and most bike types.

Cranberry Tri-Rivers Trail – Like the Meadow River Trail, this is a rail trail, meaning that it travels along an old railroad grade. Rail trails can also be excellent for family fun, since they never get too steep or windy. The full 16 miles of this trail travel along the Cranberry, Cherry and Gauley rivers, and the first 3 miles from Richwood are gravel. Expect to see beautiful foliage, waterfalls, rivers and a 640-foot-long railroad tunnel that you’ll need headlamps for!

Which will you try first?

This post was last updated on March 18, 2022