Cliffs, Craggs and Mountain Bogs of Northern West Virginia
This northeastern section of West Virginia contains some of state’s best preserved wilderness and an incredibly diverse topography. It is an area that needs to be explored on foot, but scenic byways and a few distinct points of interest can be accessed by road.
Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
Established by Congress in 1965, Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks was the first NRA created in and managed by the National Forest Service. The area is best known for its rock climbing (particularly at Seneca Rocks), which is considered some of the best on the east coast. The area also contains many hiking trails and campgrounds.
The NRA’s three most prominent geographical features that should be explored are:
Spruce Knob is the tallest mountain in West Virginia with an elevation of 4863 feet. The summit and slopes of the mountain include incredible views.
Seneca Rocks is a popular, 900-foot, rock climbing site, also offers great hiking and fishing opportunities. The view of the rocks from the NRA visitor center at the base, is one of the state’s iconic images.
Smoke Hole Canyon is a 20-mile-long gorge carved by the south branch of the Potomac River. In addition to hiking, the gorge offers a paddling opportunity with Class II and III rapids.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area extends along a ridgeline that parallels the Canaan Valley. The slopes down to the valley offer some of the state’s most reliable downhill and cross country ski areas. Because both the valley and Dolly Sods are on the eastern edge of the Appalachian Range, they pick up lake-effect snow making them a true four-season recreation area.
“The Sods” was once heavily forested, but logging stripped the upper ridgeline. What was once a dense forest bed, transformed into bogs and mountain wetlands. As a result, it now contains flora commonly found in Canada. Consequently, the wilderness now provides some of the most interesting hiking in the Eastern United States.
In spring through mid summer the Sods is known for its flowers and an array of wild berries, foliage changes in early autumn and during winter the wilderness offers some of the best snowshoeing in the mid Atlantic.
Other Things to See
Canaan Valley contains the largest inland wetland in the Eastern United States. There are also many options for a combination of year-round hiking and camping. In winter, Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort offer downhill skiing, while White Grass maintains groomed cross-country trails.
At Nelson Rocks, near Spruce Knob, there is an outfit that built and maintains a via ferrata (iron path) similar to those that have been used in the Alps for centuries. This form of protected climbing uses steel cables and long rope bridges to allow non-climbers to get a sense of rock climbing in a very safe, guided environment. As long as you don’t fear heights, it is a worthwhile adventure.