Be mild:
HIKING IN
Mountaineer Country, WV

  • Hiking<br />

    Hiking and Nature Trails in Mountaineer Country!

Discover miles of picturesque forests surrounding Mountaineer Country! Paved and dirt paths serve as great guides to view and explore varied species of trees, plants, flowers, and wildlife.

Hike to open nature-viewing areas and watch for birds indigenous to the area! Best of all, the trails are free and open to everyone from sunrise to sunset!

Cheat Lake Park and Trail

A 4.5-mile trail featuring a 12-footwide, handicapped accessible pavement that follows the Lake Lynn shoreline along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. A nature viewing area is located at the southern tip and a fishing platform near the station is at the northern tip.

Cheat Lake

Core Arboretum

The WVU Core Arboretum is an outdoor facility for education, research, and recreation. They welcome visitors every day, from dawn to dusk.

The WVU Core Arboretum is located on a 91-acre tract of hillside and bottomland near the WVU Coliseum, between Monongahela Boulevard and the Monongahela River. The Arboretum has 3 miles of foot trails, lawns with planted trees and shrubs, old growth forest on hillside and floodplain sites, interpretive signs, trailside benches, a small amphitheater, and an information kiosk. Free parking for visitors is available at the Arboretum parking lot or the WVU Coliseum parking lot.

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    Core Arboretum

WVU Core Arboretum

Snake Hill Wildlife Management Trails

Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area is a serene escape to nature located just outside of Morgantown, WV. Snake Hill is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for the primary purpose of habitat restoration/management and hunting access. The terrain is a mix of rolling hills and rocky cliffs near the Cheat River Gorge. Snake Hill features some of the region’s lesser-explored sandstone climbing, as well as four moderate to difficult hiking trails and four overlooks standing 1,200-feet above the Cheat River.

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    Snake Hill Wildlife Management Trails

Snakehill

West Virginia Botanic Garden

The West Virginia Botanic Garden is the state’s flagship public garden. This historic property features a variety of habitats including wetlands, meadows, and virgin hemlock forest. Cultivated gardens, art, and interpretive signage are developed throughout the 85-acre site.

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    West Virginia Botanic Garden

WV Botanic Garden
Come Be Wild!

Explore Some of Mountaineer Country's Milder Options

Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing

Flatwater Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Canoeing, and Kayaking

Fans of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing, and kayaking highly praise Mountaineer Country for its ideal rivers, lakes, and waterways. From secluded spots to popular hangouts, the area is renowned for its crystal-clear mountain streams and long, lazy rivers, offering endless opportunities for water enthusiasts.

Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing

Hiking

West Virginia is considered one of the best states for hiking. Almost Heaven catalogs more than 450 identified trails traversing the state with varying terrain and with something for hikers of all skill levels.

Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing

Biking

Cycling through Mountaineer Country’s picturesque landscapes, you will find paved and gravel roads that connect with charming eateries and bits of this region’s history.

Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing

Birding

Mountaineer Country’s eco-diversity—high mountain bogs, forests of various ages, abundant farmland, and waterways—make for great birding year-round.

Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Canoeing

Parks

The seven-county region in North Central West Virginia boasts hundreds of miles of developed trails weaving through state parks and forests, free to the public.

Plan Your Visit
Plan Your Visit

Plan YOUR NEXT MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY VISIT

Are you ready for a WILD! adventure? Plan your trip to North Central West Virginia, where fun and educational activities await visitors of all ages. Enjoy local parks and playgrounds or dive into indoor attractions. Build your own itinerary, use one of our special interest day trips, or take a check-in challenge. You can also share your itinerary with friends. Save money during your visit with valuable discount coupons built into the app.

Plan your trip to Mountaineer Country today using the VMCCVB Trip Planner App, available for free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Browse the area’s local hotels, gear shops, restaurants and scenic overlooks to create your perfect wilderness excursion.


And because we all know that every good trip has a story, we invite you to share your outdoor adventure story with us! Share pictures from your Mountaineer Country adventure with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #MountaineerCountryYes on your social media posts!

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