10 Hiking Trails In West Virginia That Lead To Spooky Ruins
West Virginia is America’s spookiest state, with haunted locations abound. From decimated asylums to haunted burial grounds, West Virginia is in no shortage of creepy locations. Yet, have you heard of the numerous hiking trails that will lead you to haunted ruins? If not, it’s time you read up on West Virginia’s most unnerving trails that take you to ghost towns and abandoned mining tunnels.
Spooky ruins are scattered throughout West Virginia and are perfect for your Halloween season adventures. Here are the top ten hiking trails that lead you to haunting ruins. Be warned; ghostly apparitions have been reported here; tread carefully. Keep the Ouija boards at home to avoid spiritual attachments!
10/10 Jefferson Rock – Harpers Ferry
When hiking up the scenic Appalachian Trail, you’ll find Jefferson Rock which is named after President Thomas Jefferson. However, the hiking trail through Jefferson Rock is said to get paranormal when the sun goes down.
At night, some have reported witnessing a ghostly young woman wearing a white dress who attempts to hold your hand. Some hikers have also claimed to have witnessed unfriendly ghosts who have pushed them down hills, dropped tree branches on their heads, or smashed flashlights. Head to this hiking trail in West Virginia on Halloween if you don’t mind being tumbled down a few hills.
9/10 The Grave Creek Mound – Moundsville
This Native American burial ground was created by the Adena natives who were buried here. What’s both fascinating and terrifying about this burial ground is that the graves are layered on top of one another. As a result, the burial mound is eerily high up, and visitors can climb to the top.
With ancient burial grounds come paranormal activity. Hike to this haunted location and climb to the top of the Grave Creek Mound to perhaps encounter your very own ghost sighting.
8/10 Royal Ghost Town – New River Gorge
When hiking along the Glade Creek trails, you may stumble upon the spooky ruins of a ghost town once named Royal. The remains of deteriorating stone walls were once part of this booming mining community. Stretchers Neck Tunnel would allow miners to transport coal to the neighboring town, Prince, located across the river.
However, a bloody shootout between miner protesters and non-union workers left numerous people killed. The mine was officially closed in 1940, and the fall of the town occurred not long after. Walking through the remains of this town, now placed deep in the woods, gives off a chill-inducing feeling.
7/10 Narrow Gauge Trail – Clifftop
Located at the Babcock State Park, this trail leads to the creepy ruins of a ghostly railroad. Follow the trail down to Old Sewell Road, and you’ll see remains of the long-forgotten railroad. At this West Virginia state park, you may even come across the remnants of the ghost town Sewell.
Down the Narrow Gauge Trail, you can feel the presence of the past, and some have even claimed to hear the rumblings of a train that doesn’t actually exist. Take a hike down this haunted trail at night, and we’re certain you’ll come out a paranormal believer.
6/10 Darkish Knob – Parsons
Located in the woods of Parsons, West Virginia, Darkish Knob is a steep hill known to be haunted. The area was believed to be commonly used during the years of the Underground Railroad. A safe home for runaway slaves was located at the base of the steep hill. One night, a young girl was riding her horse and was reportedly searching for this home. However, the horse lost its footing, and the girl was thrown off the hill and fell to her death. Now, many have claimed to witness her spirit at Darkish Knob.
5/10 Clay Run Trails – Bruceton Mills
This haunting hiking trail can be found in Coopers Rock State Forest. When hiking this trail, you’ll find the old Henry Clay Iron Furnace from the 1800s. This massive furnace was used to produce loads of iron for the surrounding towns. Now, it’s withered and covered by the surrounding greenery. While ghost sightings aren’t known to happen at the Clay Run Trails, it definitely gives off a creepy vibe that’s hard to brush off.
4/10 Nuttallburg Trails – New River Gorge
Although the ruins of this abandoned coal town are slowly depleting into the forest, portions of it may still be seen in the nearby woods and along the trails, and many of the mining areas have been kept intact. Despite its decay, the remains of Nuttallburg still move its visitors. From the enormous tipple rising over the woods to the long conveyer rushing down the mountain and up the other side, this hiking trail will lead you to a plethora of mining ruins, both astonishing and creepy.
3/10 Kaymoor Miners Trail – Fayetteville
Another ghost town, this past mining town, also features an abandoned coal mine. Although terrifying, we highly don’t recommend you attempt to enter the abandoned coal mines for your safety. Is it haunted? That’s up to you to discover for yourself. Hike down this trail at night and try to convince yourself that spirits from beyond don’t linger in this West Virginia ghost town. We’re certain you won’t even be able to complete the full trail without running back to safety.
2/10 Elk River Trail – Elkview
Although the infamous Mothman is believed to be originally spotted at Pleasant Point, some have been said to experience the cryptid at the Elk River trail. The Mothman is a winged monster with bright red eyes that stalked the farms at Point Pleasant, West Virginia, according to urban legend.
On the Elk River trail, on November 12th, 1966, Kenneth Duncan was reportedly digging a grave for his father-in-law with four other men when he witnessed a human-like figure fly out of the nearby forest and fly over them.
1/10 North Bend Rail Trail – Cairo
Now, the creepiest trail of them all is North Bend Rail Trail. Entering the trail’s haunted Tunnel 19 is even bone-chilling during the day, yet some brave ghost hunters have trekked inside at night. Ghost stories have been told of a woman in white who haunts the tunnel and has even appeared on train tracks terrifying the conductors.
Meanwhile, some have said that human remains were found on a nearby house located on North Bend Rail Trail. If you’re feeling brave, hike down this trail at night, and perhaps you’ll witness some paranormal activity for yourself.
