Kates Plateau Trail
For seasoned hikers craving solitude and a real leg-burner, the Kates Plateau Trail is your ticket.
Plan Around Kates Plateau Trail
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Kates Plateau Trail Details
For seasoned hikers craving solitude and a real leg-burner, the Kates Plateau Trail is your ticket to New River Gorge's wild side. Clocking in at 5.1 miles round-trip, this strenuous trail is a remote escape that feels worlds away from the busier overlooks and popular routes. The journey begins deep in the forest and winds along old logging roads, leading adventurers across varied terrain-from boggy wetlands and meadows to thick Appalachian woodlands. One of the trail's signature features is the creek crossing at Kates Branch, which adds a splash of adventure (and possibly wet boots) to your hike. Kates Plateau delivers plenty of payoff for those who brave its rugged course. The plateau itself offers a rare, open-field setting where you'll feel like you've stumbled into an Appalachian highland pasture, complete with towering oaks and fields humming with birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional beaver sign as you traverse this hidden gem. Access to Kates Plateau Trail is via the Polls Plateau Trail, so hikers should be ready for a full-day outing or a serious backcountry loop if combined with other nearby routes. The trail is marked but remote, so expect minimal company aside from the critters and whispering trees. Don't forget to bring plenty of water, sturdy boots, and your best "I'm-ready-for-anything" attitude.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
5.1 Miles
Estimated time
3 To 4 Hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Kates Plateau Trail
Compare nearby parks around Kates Plateau Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Kates Plateau Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Kates Plateau Trail while the map context is still fresh.
1.9 mi away
Kates Fall Trail
The Kates Falls Trail is a short yet strenuous 0.2-mile spur tucked deep within the park.
2.9 mi away
Glade Creek Area
The Glade Creek Area offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, history, and outdoor adventure.
2.9 mi away
Glade Creek Trail
The Glade Creek Trail an idyllic 5.6-mile (9.01 km) hike that blends beautiful cascading waterfalls, historic remnants, and a peaceful creekside stroll.
2.9 mi away
Glade Creek / Hamlet
Glade Creek / Hamlet is one of New River Gorge's quietest but most fascinating historical stops.
3.0 mi away
Glade Creek Picnic Area
Looking for a picnic with a soundtrack of babbling water and rustling leaves? Welcome to Glade Creek Picnic Area, a quiet and scenic retreat nestled in New River Gorge & Preserve.
