Stone Cliff Trail
The Stone Cliff Trail offers an engaging 2.7-mile (4.35 km) hike or bike ride through both natural beauty and historical significance.
Plan Around Stone Cliff Trail
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Stone Cliff Trail Details
The Stone Cliff Trail offers an engaging 2.7-mile (4.35 km) hike or bike ride through both natural beauty and historical significance. This easy-to-moderate trail, which follows an old road along the banks of the New River, provides an opportunity for visitors to enjoy breathtaking views, easy access to the river, and a rare glimpse of old-growth forest. The trail begins at a picnic area and gradually winds through scenic woodlands, offering numerous viewpoints over the New River below. Along the way, the trail's gentle terrain provides plenty of space to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the gorge. The riverbanks are easily accessible for visitors who want to stop and enjoy the water's edge, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful rest or a photo opportunity. One of the most exciting features of the Stone Cliff Trail is its access to one of the last surviving stands of old-growth forest in the region. Once part of a vast, untamed Appalachian forest, much of New River Gorge's original woodlands were cleared during the industrial boom. The forest near the end of the trail is a rare and valuable ecosystem, filled with centuries-old trees that provide a glimpse into what the region once looked like before industrialization. Visitors can venture off-trail up a steep slope to explore this protected stand of trees, which was added to the Old-Growth Forest Network in 2015. This trail is ideal for anyone looking for a relatively easy hike or bike ride that combines stunning views, peaceful river access, and a journey through one of the Gorge's most historically significant ecosystems.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
2.7 miles
Estimated time
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Stone Cliff Trail
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Stone Cliff Trail
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1.6 mi away
Church Loop Trail
Sometimes, the best adventures come in small packages.
1.7 mi away
Southside Trail
The Southside Trail is an easy, 7-mile (11.27 km) one-way trail that offers a scenic and leisurely journey along the river.
1.9 mi away
Thurmond Depot
The Thurmond Depot, built in 1904 by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, was once the heart of a booming railroad town in West Virginia.
2.1 mi away
Thurmond Historic District
Nestled within the rugged beauty of New River Gorge & Preserve, the Thurmond Historic District takes visitors back to a time when the clatter of trains and the hustle of coal mining ruled the day.
2.4 mi away
Arbuckle Connector Trail
Rated as a strenuous hike, the Arbuckle Connector Trail is a short but challenging route.
