Welcome to Travel Tuesday! Having spent a few years in West Virginia for medical school, I’ll always have a soft spot for this state (especially after having lived at one of my favorite places ever — Please Save A Cat!) We went a couple years ago to visit and went for a hike on the Rocky Ridge Trail in the neighboring state forest!
Rocky Ridge Trail in Greenbrier State Forest
Distance: 4.9 miles miles (out + back)
Elevation: 1541 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: ~2.5-3 hours
Trailhead Address: 37.75223, -80.35336
Parking: Lot available (free)!
Despite its close proximity to where I went to school, I’ve (sadly) only actually ever hiked in this forest one other time, on the Young’s Nature Trail. (The study guilt was real.)
The Rocky Ridge Trail starts about 0.25 miles from the service area. There are a couple low stream crossings at the very beginning + the trail then winds its way to the top of Kate’s Mountain.
We hiked this in the early afternoon so it was pretty empty along most of the trail. (We only passed by 1-2 people + 1 dog for the entire hike!)
The Greenbrier State Forest is still a working forest, so there’s still farming and logging that goes on in this area. Mature, low-quality/low vigor trees are cut to create more growing space for healthy trees.
The trail does get pretty steep, so it’s good cardio on the way up, and — hiking poles would be helpful, especially if you’re hiking this after a rain!
- Dogs are allowed on this trail, but they must be leashed!
- The trail is open year-round — we went in the spring, but fall would be gorgeous here as well!
- Here are my top picks for things to do in Lewisburg, WV!
- You can also check out the Lost World Caverns!
- Orrr you can check out a super long (78 miles!) hiking/biking trail, the Greenbrier River Trail!
- Have you ever been to West Virginia?
- I’ve hiked another trail called Rocky Ridge Trail too, but over in California! Have you hiked any same-name hikes in your country?
18 comments
Skip to comment form
Looks as though you got some pretty great pictures along the way.
It was a fun/short little hike! I wish I’d explored that forest more while I was living near there!
We have never been to West Virginia. We will certainly have to plan some time to explore the great hiking spots like Rocky Ridge Trail. A great spot to enjoy the outdoors. And I will remember my hiking poles!
They definitely would’ve been helpful! I’m hoping to go back again sometime to visit again — fingers crossed! :]
Really handy guide to the Rocky Ridge Trail and thank you so much for including the beautiful imagery! It’s great to get a real sense of what we’ll see on the trail.
What an awesome place for a hike! Will save it for when I’m nearby!
Hope you enjoy it there if you end up going there! :]
Great pictures, looks like a great way to spend the afternoon when in the area!
Wow, the views from Rocky Ridge Trail look absolutely epic! 😍
That crystal blue water against the rugged cliffsides creates such a stunning landscape. This looks like a hike that has it all – beautiful scenery, fun rock scrambling, and an awesome payoff view at the top. Your photos are gorgeous and really capture the magic of this trail! Love that you included tips like wearing sturdy shoes for gripping the rocks. Small details like that make your hike guides so helpful. Can’t wait to add this to my Pacific Northwest hiking bucket list!
You make the Northwest trails look so inviting and adventurous. Keep up the great work – I look forward to virtually tag along on more of your hikes! 🥾
Mark Rodri recently posted…Top 5 Best Digital Compasses For Hiking
I live so close to WV but don’t visit nearly enough! This hike would be a lovely day trip that I’ll need to make!
Ooo, I hope you like it there! If you haven’t already been to New River Gorge National Park, I’d highly recommend that as well!!
Farrah recently posted…Rocky Ridge Trail in Greenbrier State Forest
I have never been to West Virginia. I love the scenery on this trail. I think the entire trail might be a bit much for me but part way should give some great views and exercise for me.
It’s a nice escape to nature either way! :]
Farrah recently posted…Long Point Trail in New River Gorge National Park
I’ve been to West Virginia before the photos look absolutely stunning! Hopefully I can try this trail you recommended for a future visit. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly recently posted…Spring in Perth: A Local’s Guide
Aww, yay! There are so many beautiful places to explore there — I’m hoping to go back again sometime soon!
The photos of West Virgina look absolutely stunning! Hopefully I can try this trail you recommended for a future visit. Thanks for sharing!
Kelly recently posted…Spring in Perth: A Local’s Guide
We haven’t been to West Virgina yet but I would certainly love to do this hike when we visit the area. It sounds “doable”! Thanks for sharing!
Fab post Farrah! It is such a shame you had the study guilt! I mean, you could have hiked sooo much here back when you were at school! If you did it again, do you think you would have used your breaks to escape to hike more? I mean, relaxing *does* help academic achievement!
I think if I walked here I would end up with the country road song in my head the whole time! :D Part of the fun of visiting West Virgina!