Over here in Hardy County we’re getting ready for Spring! If you’re looking ahead to warmer weather and sunshine, then we have a few great weekend ideas for you. We have some of the best trails and overlooks around–for feet or wheels–and springtime is a great time to explore everything our mountains and valleys have to offer!

For the hikers, Alltrails lists a wonderful and accurate selection of options for everyone but here’s a couple of our favorites. Come for the day or rent a cabin at Lost River State Park and check out nearly 4,000 acres of forested land just as the spring wild flowers begin to bloom. There are miles of dog-friendly trails to explore, so bring your best friend and hike up to Cranny Crow, one of West Virginia’s most stunning overlooks. And don’t forget to get a photo on the Almost Heaven Swing! There are also several trails throughout the George Washington National Forest including Trout Pond Recreation Area which opens mid-May, and is a family friendly option with public bathrooms, camping, fishing, and swimming in the warmer months. 

For a structured, competitive trail experience, sign up for the Lost River Trail Run on Saturday May 3rd and choose from a mile walk/run, 4.5 mile run, 9 mile or for the truly dedicated, a half-marathon through mostly smooth trails with some hills and occasional shallow water crossings. Proceeds for this race go towards building mountain biking trails in the park, and the Cryptids, the county’s youth MTB team.

If you rather your car do the hard work, simply use your GPS and see where our country roads take you, or follow one of the heritage trails that will lead you to some unexpected spots. The Barn Quilt Trail is a fun way to see the hand-painted quilt squares on both historical barns and local shopping opportunities like West-Whitehill Wine and the Lost River Artists Marketplace. The Historic School House Trail currently has over twenty one-room schoolhouses on its map and will lead you through some of the lesser-known roads and scenery you don’t want to miss! 

If you’re looking for your next motorcycle ride, download routes from Ride the High-Five, our five-county map of scenic routes perfect to experience by bike or car!

And don’t forget to take a peek at the McCoy Grand Theatre in Moorefield, which was just placed on the state’s Historical Theatre Trail! Keep your eye on them because they have some fantastic programming coming up including performances and a concert series.


This spring, make Almost Heaven your next weekend getaway by experiencing one of the many trails in Hardy County!