Rail trails, National Parks, National Forests, state park and forest lands and local parks all have hiking opportunities that will keep any outdoor enthusiast busy for a lifetime. From long distance trail running to short leisurely walks near town, West Virginia has hiking trails for you.
The Allegheny Trail and the North Fork Mountain Trail are two classic longer trails. The Canaan Valley area includes access to hundreds of miles of trails in well known state and federal lands. Local parks like Little Creek Park in Charleston or Barboursville Park provide easy access to high quality trails for everyday use.
Best times to go:
Hiking can be done in all seasons. Summer, fall and spring are common, but with some good boots or snowshoes, winter hiking is well worth it.
Other Resources:
On the Wing: Birding in West Virginia (Highland Outdoors Article)
Spring in the Mountain State (Highland Outdoors Article)
Micro Hikes for Tykes (Highland Outdoors Article)
Crekyoneering: Misadventures in West Virginia's Wildest Drainages (Highland Outdoors)
Hiking Education/Safety:
American Hiking Society - Hiking 101, U.S. National Park Service- Hike Smart, Trip Planning, Camping, Hiking, United States Forest Service - Know Before You Go