Backpacking:

North Fork Mountain

Description:

This is one of the most spectacular trails in WV. The North Fork Mtn. trail is 24 miles from end to end and travels the entire length of the spine of North Fork Mtn. Great views are plenty from the top of the 200 ft tall cliffs that span much of the top of the Mtn. Two other trails (3 miles total) that provide access to the ridge can be used to shorten the whole trip. Make sure to carry water, there isn’t any on this ridge. Highlands Conservancy Trail Map

Stories:

Hiking the North Fork Mountain Trail (Highland Outdoors)

Directions:

The northern terminus of the NFM Trail is on the Smoke Hole Rd, just south of Petersburg, WV (Google directions below). The first two trailheads are on the right hand side within three miles of the turn off of Rt. 28. There is a road 14 miles from rt. 28 that goes 6.7 more miles to the top of the mountain (middle of the 27 mile trail). The southern end of the trail is 31 miles south of the rt 28/Smoke Hole intersection on rt. 33 w toward Franklin (at the top of the mountain).

Activities:

Backpacking, Hiking, Sight Seeing (Overlooks), Mountain Biking

Address:

Potomac Ranger District, HC 59, Box 240, Petersburg, WV 26847, 1.5 miles south of Petersburg off Rt. 28/55

Phone/Email:

304-257-4488 (Voice & TDD), 304-636-1800 – Mon. National Forest

Web resources:

NA

Resources:

Books:

  • “Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide”
  • “Out There West Virginia A Guide to Backcountry Travel and Adventure”
  • “West Virginia Hiking Trails”

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