New River Gorge National Park takes on a completely different look in the winter. Once the spectacular show of fall foliage is over, new vistas appear and take center stage. The bare trees and withering understory allow you to see things that are often hidden through three seasons, like waterfalls, stunning rock formations, and the contours of the Earth. And since far fewer people visit the park during winter, solitude is in much greater supply, even on the most popular trails.

Here are some of our favorites for wintertime hiking in the New River Gorge. Special notes are included for Winter 2025 that provide information on temporary road closures affecting access to some trails.

Our Favorite National Park Trails in Winter

Kaymoor Trail

The Kaymoor Trail* has a great deal to offer wintertime hikers. There are two delightful waterfalls (that are usually running at their highest volume in the winter), an outstanding view of the New River Gorge Bridge, and many fascinating ruins of the old Kaymoor Mine complex. The entire trail is 8.34 miles long and connects to several other trails in the Fayetteville area.

*Due to ongoing repairs to the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge there is no vehicular access to the most popular Kaymoor Trail trailhead on Fayette Station Road through March of 2025. During this time we recommend accessing Kaymoor Trail from the Kaymoor Miners Trail starting in the Kaymoor Top parking area.

Endless Wall Trail

Beautiful any time of the year, this popular trail takes on a new dimension when sightlines are unobscured by foliage. Looking across the gorge from the many overlooks along the Endless Wall Trail, many formerly hidden details on the south side of the Gorge can be clearly seen: the waterfalls of both Craig Branch and Butchers Branch, as well as the ruins of the ghost town of Kaymoor 900 feet below. With no leaves on the dense stands of Sycamore trees along the river you can easily see trains as they pass through the Gorge.

Riverside Trails

Two major trails run along the New River and take on a different character in wintertime. Southside Trail * (stretching 5 miles from Cunard to Thurmond) and the Stone Cliff Trail (stretching 2.9 miles from Stone Cliff Campground to an old growth forest). Both provide opportunities for you to experience the bottom of the Gorge and get up-close views of the river. In the winter, the river is in view for nearly the entire distance along both of these trails, increasing the likelihood of spotting wildlife, including Bald Eagles. Archaeological points of interest are also easier to spot, such as the remnants of towns and industry that once populated the depths of the Gorge. 

* Due to construction on the Cunard access road, the only official access to Southside Trail from January through April 2025 is from the Rend Trailhead near Thurmond. Hike 1.7 miles along the Rend Trail to access the Arbuckle Connector Trail. This .25 mile trail connects to the Southside Trail near the Thurmond end.

Glade Creek Trail

This 5.6 mile trail is remote and relatively quiet even in peak summer. During the winter, hiking this trail feels especially secluded, which is one of the main reasons we love it. The trail follows an old rail line that runs alongside (and crosses by way of a lovely pedestrian bridge) one of the most beautiful creeks in the New River Gorge, Glade Creek. We recommend accessing the Glade Creek Trail from the lower trailhead near Prince.

Grandview Rim Trail

This easy trail offers many places to glimpse the Gorge from different angles along its 1.6 mile path. The entirety of the trail connects Grandview’s main overlook with the Turkey Spur Overlook passing the North Overlook along the way. We can’t think of a better way to spend a winter day than exploring the Grandview section of New River Gorge National Park.

Great WV State Park Trails Nearby

Those are just some of the National Park trails waiting for you to explore this winter. Don’t overlook our fantastic nearby state park trails like:

The Patterson Trail in Carnifex Ferry State Park. Just 25 minutes from Fayetteville, this trail meanders around the top of the Gauley River gorge and has numerous overlooks.

The Narrow Gauge Rail Trail, Manns Creek Gorge, or the Skyline Trail at Babcock State Park (also just 25 minutes from Fayetteville). Like those in the National Park, the vistas on these trails are far more expansive in the winter because they go through dense deciduous forests. 

Hawks Nest Rail Trail in Hawks Nest State Park runs alongside the last two miles of Mill Creek as it rushes toward its meeting with the New River. Wintertime hikers are treated to high water flow over the 25’ high Mill Creek Falls and icicle-covered cliffs all along the trail.

Precautions for Wintertime Hiking in New River Gorge

• Keep an eye on the forecast to be aware of any incoming weather changes and always carry proper gear in case you need to adapt. A waterproof jacket can be a literal lifesaver if you get caught in a rainstorm during cold weather. Hypothermia is not to be taken lightly.
• Snow and ice mean slower and more deliberate hiking. Allow enough time to complete a trail, or set a time for turning back that is reasonable for a slow pace. In the summer we tend to average about 2-3 miles per hour, but in snow that might fall to less than 1 MPH. 
• Take enough water! When it’s cool, you might not feel like you need to carry much water, but cold air is dry air, so you actually lose just as much fluid when it’s cold outside. 

If you enjoyed this post you might also like New River Gorge Winter Refresh + Dopamine Menu and Top 5 Rail Trails in New River Gorge National Park.

Who are we? Amy & Shawn, New River Gorge hikers, Master Naturalists, and owners of Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals.