hiking & backpacking
Within the Monongahela National Forest, the Cranberry Wilderness (47,815 acres) and Cranberry Backcountry (14,000 acres) make up one of the largest backpacking areas east of the Mississippi River. Together there are 135 miles of hiking trails that provide a great opportunity of reasonably long distance trips (3 to 6 days) and quality loops. The scenery includes rugged mountains with streams, waterfalls and swimming holes with elevations ranging from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet. Hardwood forests dominate the lower elevations and spruce forests offer interesting variation on the peaks of the mountains. There are also numerous short trails for novice hikers to take in the beautiful scenery.
The wilderness trails are maintained with a narrower tread and pathway than other forest trails to preserve the primitive character of the land. Most trails are not marked or blazed, but marked by signs found at trail junctions. There are no bridges at river and stream crossings and trails can, at times, be muddy and wet. A good rule to follow is to not build a camp within 200 feet of roads, streams and trails and always practice “no trace”. During hunting season, wearing blaze orange is encouraged.
Before planning a trip to the wilderness, please choose according to your skills and experience. Prepare for sudden changes in weather and always tell someone your plans.
The Gauley River Ranger Station and Cranberry Mountain Nature Center both have a wealth of knowledge about the local trails. They also maintain a large inventory of maps, like the one below, and books that provide a larger, more in depth, list of trails and broader information pertaining to them. They can also furnish pertinent information regarding rules and regulations for traversing within the national forest.
If you would like to volunteer to help maintain area trails, please contact the group:
