Views That Can Only Been Seen in Winter

Published: January 8, 2026
A view of the New River and surrounding mountains peeking out from behind layers of rhododendrons and leafless trees.
View of the New River through brush on the Castle Rock Trail

Southern West Virginia is known for its scenery, but some views are only visible when the leaves fall. The lesser-traveled trails that offer cool, shaded walks most of the year reveal hidden mountain landscapes and new angles on classic views.

Winter Hiking Tips:

  • Check the weather. Stay home if there are hazardous conditions. If temperatures are expected to be cold, wear layers and expect ice on the trails. Bring or wear a pair of microspikes/crampons to avoid slipping on ice. Even on milder winter days, spots in the shade might have lasting ice and snow. Proceed with caution.
  • Be aware of the trail and your surroundings. Wintertime treks mean hiking trails that have not undergone springtime clearing yet or might be covered in snow. It’s easy to venture off the trail. Stay on the path by looking ahead and spotting the next trail marker or two.
  • Bring extra snacks and water. Between the dry winter weather and your body working hard to stay warm (or move under all the layers), you’ll be feeling hungrier and thirstier than you would in the warmer months. Pro tip: bring a thermos of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate with you keep yourself warm while resting and enjoying the scenery.
  • ALWAYS leave parks and trails better than you found them. Carry out whatever you bring in and dispose of trash properly. Please pick up after your furry adventure pal and make sure they are on a leash.
  • Check for ticks! Ticks are hardy and do not die off in winter. They tend to just hide under the snow. Since West Virginia can have milder winter weather, ticks can roam freely. Make sure to check behind your ears, in your hair, and in hard-to-see and reach areas.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Canyon Rim Area

View of a mountain ridgeline behind leafless trees
Surrounding hills seen from the Brooklyn Mine Trail

Brooklyn Mine Trail

In the warmer months, the Brooklyn Mine Trail is a forested hike that leads to the old Brooklyn coal mine. In the winter, the thick brush dies back, revealing hidden sights. These are lesser-seen curves of the New River Gorge. Difficulty: Moderate

A small yellow building, a rusting bridge, and white dwellings a hill next to a river, peeking out through barren trees.
Thurmond Depot and bridge spotted through leafless trees on the Rend Trail

Rend Trail

The Rend Trail is a long, gently graded path. While a great shaded trail in the warmer months, the Rend Trail’s barren deciduous trees show off views of Thurmond and the New River. Difficulty: Easy

A mountainous ridge line and a speck of a blue from the New River peeking out from barren trees
Surrounding mountains and a spotted view of the New River through the trees on the Kaymoor Trail

Kaymoor Trail

Most hikers take the shorter Kaymoor Miners Trail, a half-mile descent into the gorge that leads to the Kaymoor Mine Site. However, there is a steadier, longer path leading to the same place. The Kaymoor Trail stretches from Cunard River Access Road to Fayette Station Road, with its midpoint at the Kaymoor Mine. Along the path, you’ll spot new angles to see the New River and the surrounding hills. Difficulty: Moderate

Grandview Area

A view of a sandstone cliff face in the sun, looking out over the New River and surrounding mountains peeking out from behind layers of rhododendrons and leafless trees.
Grandview’s cliff face and a view of the New River peeking through the trees on the Castle Rock Trail

Castle Rock

Normally, the rock formations of the sheer cliff face and exposed coal seam lining the trail steal the show for this trek. However, when the leaves fall off the trees, there is a new angle to the views at Grandview. To get to this path, take the trail on the left as you walk to the main overlook. You’ll be walking directly below the Grandview Rim Trail, which you will use to walk back to the parking area. Difficulty: Strenuous 

State Parks

Bluestone State Park

A shaded trail among leafless trees with views of surrounding mountains.
Views of the surrounding mountains at Bluestone State Park

Rhododendron Trail

This is Bluestone State Park’s Mountaineer Mile Trail—a path that is approximately one mile long that the state of West Virginia encourages park visitors to use for a healthy hike. While the hike is a brief half-mile downhill and half-mile uphill, it is optional, as the view can be seen from the nearby parking lot. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Pipestem Resort State Park

A view of rolling hills and mountain ridgeline beyond bare trees
Mountain views from Pipestem at the Lick Hollow Trail

Lick Hollow Trail 

This trail is nestled behind the Canyon Rim Center, where, in the warmer months, guests can zipline through the forested hillsides or ride the aerial tram down to the Bluestone River. However, in the winter, these attractions are closed. Visitors can get scenic views by gazing out at the deck of the Canyon Rim Center or by taking a hike on the Lick Hollow Loop Trail. This loop trail is about a mile long and goes up and down the neighboring ridgeline, culminating at a secret mountain view that is wide open for viewing in the winter. This trail has steep inclines and declines. Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

Summersville Lake State Park

Rocky outcrops, covered by trees and vegetation, with a small stream running between them
A drained Summersville Lake

Pirates Cove 

While the views from this trail are open year-round, Summersville Lake looks different in the winter. In fact, there’s no lake at all, just a giant chasm of mud with a steady stream running through it. In the fall, the Summersville Dam releases water into the Gauley River to create what we call “Gauley Season”—six weekends of world-class whitewater rafting. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

No matter which path you choose, the quiet months of winter in West Virginia will reveal hidden sights on uncrowded trails. As you hike, remember to look up and enjoy the exposed landscape before spring comes and hides it away behind lush trees.