Backpacking:

Tuscarora Trail

Description:

The Tuscarora Trail is a 250 mile long distance trail that splits off the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and makes its way into West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The trail is sometimes on roads (paved, gravel, gated), sometimes on jeep trails and sometimes on backcountry trail.  The northern terminus joins the AT near Harrisburg, PA while the southern terminus meets the AT in Virginia north of Luray.  The section through the George Washington National Forest includes some of the best backcountry hiking and can be linked with other trails in the Wolf Gap, Trout Pond and Hawk Recreation Areas for great backpacking. The following are some of the areas that the Tuscarora Trail traverses in WV:  From north to south - Sleepy Creek WMA in the Eastern Panhandle, Hawk Recreation Area and Wolf Gap Recreation Area in the GWNF.  

For detailed information about hiking the trail, see the Tuscarora Trail & the WV Scenic Trails Association webpages below.  A trail guide with maps and descriptions is available in both hard copy or digital versions.  

Directions:

The Tuscarora Trail has many access points throughout its length.  Fetzer Gap on Zepp Rd 38.971041, -78.506276 and Waites Run Rd 39.015189, -78.604982  (Google directions below) are trailheads in the Wolf Gap area.  Spruce Pin Hollow Park 39.632296, -78.107686 (near Berkley Springs) is a trailhead to the north of Sleepy Creek WMA, while a southern trailhead for Sleepy Creek is accessed along Hampshire Grade Rd.  39.450381, -78.187068. For other trailheads, utilize the Tuscarora Trail Guides and maps on the Tuscarora Trail Website (listed below).  

Activities:

Backpacking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing

Contact:

Hike the Tuscarora Contact Page

Web resources:

Tuscarora Trail Web Site
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Store - Tuscarora Trail maps and books

Resources:

Books:

  • "The Tuscarora Trail: A Guide to the South Half in WV & VA"
  • “West Virginia Hiking Trails”

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