Hiking The Castle Rock Trail In New River Gorge National Park
The Castle Rock trail is located in the Grandview section of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. This pet friendly trail is about 1.2 miles long and has around 200 feet in elevation gain.
To reach the trail take the paved path from the parking lot of the Grandview Visitor Center to the main overlook. Right before the overlook you will see the Castle Rock Trailhead on your left. Make sure to take a few minutes to check out the views from the main overlook though, because they are spectacular.
During this hike you will get up close and personal with some towering rock walls and overhanging cliffs. The rocks in these massive walls are layered and look like blocks someone stacked up to create this sandstone masterpiece. I swear I was tempted more than once to try to take a block of rock out just to see what would happen.
While admiring the stones keep an eye out for exposed coal seams. Layers of black coal can be seen in some areas and is a reminder of West Virginia’s most famous industry.
When not walking under overhangs or strolling by immense rock walls, you will be hiking through dense forest and rhododendrons. Along the way there are a couple spots on the trail that provide excellent views of the New River and gorge below.
This is one of those trails we like to call an ankle twister. You will constantly be weaving your way amid rocks and tree roots during your hike. Also, everything seems to have a layer of moisture on it making the rocks even more slippery. It hadn’t rained for days when we were there, but everything was wet.
There are multiple areas with some steep drop-offs so use caution while hiking. Most of these drop-offs seemed to be on the narrowest parts of the trail as well, so be extra vigilant if you meet up with hikers coming the opposite direction.
Footing is everything on this trail. Watch where you step, because rocks and roots dominant the ground. Though there’s no actually rock scrambling there are some larger rocks in the way you will have to work around. I wouldn’t recommend this hike for smaller children, because of all the obstacles.
After you have walked 0.6 miles you will come to the Grandview Rim Trail. If you make a left in 1/2 mile you will be back to the main overlook and your hike will be completed.
We found the rim trail to be pretty boring. It follows the road half the time and the only real view is the North Overlook. It’s super easy though.
Personally, if you enjoyed the Castle Rock trail as much as we did I would just turn around and return to the trailhead that way. We loved this hike and wish we would of just headed back the way we came and did it again.
It’s a trail that should not be skipped while visiting New River Gorge National Park. It’s a fun adventure and you will be blown away at the sheer size of these impressive rock walls.
