Sections of the Allegheny Trail

The Allegheny Trail, for maintenance purposes, is divided into four "sections," described briefly below and in detail in our "Hiking Guide."

Each trail section has a designated coordinator to monitor trail conditions and manage volunteer activities.

  • Section 1

    From
    Mason-Dixon Line (Pennsylvania/West Virginia Border)

    To
    Blackwater Falls State Park

    95.10 mi

    Section One Info

  • Section 2

    From
    Blackwater Falls State Park

    To
    Cass Scenic Railroad

    91.8 mi

    Section Two Info

  • Section 3

    From
    Cass Scenic Railroad parking lot

    To
    WV Road 14 at Lake Sherwood in Greenbrier County

    64.26 mi

    Section Three Info

  • Section 4

    From
    Lake Sherwood to Peters Mountain at the West Virginia/Virginia border

    Section 4
    is currently incomplete.

    Sect. 4 North (15.63 mi)
    Sect 4 South (21.02 mi)

    Section Four Info

SECTION ONE

(95.10 mi) N-S
Starts at the Pennsylvania line and ends at the petting zoo/stables at Blackwater Falls State Park.

Section 1 - Northern Terminus
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Camp Dawson Re-Route: The re-route around the Army National Guard firing range has been completed. The new route has been blazed. The blazes on the old route have been removed. You should have no problem following the new route.

    • Miller’s Shuttle Service

    • Teter’s Campground

    • Cheat Canyon Campground

    • N. Preston Kwik Shop

    • Old Trout Farm

    • Arnold Park

    • Horseshoe Run Campground

    • Blackwater Falls State Park

    • Albright

    • Bruceton Mills

    • Terra Alta

    • Rowlesburg

    • Thomas

    • Davis

  • (UPDATED 8/4/2021) Section 1 is blazed and easy to follow with the usual exceptions of lack of trees and poles to blaze in certain locations and blazing paint on fences, utility poles, and treated post that fade much quicker than blazes on trees.

    In the dry season, many of the water sources in Section 1 can run dry. Be sure to carry enough water during those times.

    Beware of dogs on private property, the first 13 miles until you reach Mt. Nebo and then the short distance between Amblersburg and Rowlesburg.

    Hikers should note the information in the guide and guide updates concerning the high water route around Cheat Canyon.

    The greatest potential to get turned around in Section 1 is located north of WV RT7 at Peddlers Glory Road 45/3 (MP 39.0).

    This old road is actually a mostly dry stream bed all the way down the hill where the stream bed turns wet. Both sides of the almost non-existing road are heavily posted. The Northbound hiker will find the turn onto Peddler’s Glory Rd. difficult to find as of August 2021.

  • Marissa Bennett

    SECTION ONE
    COORDINATOR
    304-203-2870‬
    m_bennett1988@yahoo.com

  • Kevin Honeycutt

    SECTION ONE
    ASSISTANT COORDINATOR

    Kevin Honeycutt

SECTION TWO

(91.8 mi) N-S
Starts at the petting zoo/stables at Blackwater Falls State Park and ends at the parking lot at the Cass Scenic Railroad.

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    • Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge

    • Canaan Valley State Park

    • Red Creek P.O.

    • Laurel River Club B&B

    • Alpine Lodge & Restaurant

    • Glady Village

    • East Fork Campground & Stables

    • Durbin (town)

  • You will find swampy sections around Daniel's Creek (M.P. 42.7) towards the footbridge over Glady Fork (M.P. 42.9).

    You will also find a section on Shavers Mtn. that was recently logged (around the M.P. 55 area), which is full of blackberry vines, and a steep rocky area from M.P. 64.8 coming down off the mountain to M.P. 66.5. Numerous tread improvements have been made recently in this area (May 2020).

    Hikers should note the information in the guide and guide updates concerning the high water route around the West Fork of the Greenbrier. It can be waist-high, even in summer.

*Hikers should note the information in the guide and guide updates concerning the high water route around the Glady Fork washout (M.P. 18.2) and around the West Fork of the Greenbrier.*

  • Jeffery Byard

    SECTION TWO
    COORDINATOR
    304-838-4660
    grizzlyjb@yahoo.com

  • Kelly Boywer

    SECTION TWO
    ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
    lovebikeriding@hotmail.com

    Kelly Boywer

SECTION THREE

(64.26 mi) N-S
Starts at the Cass parking lot. The end of Section 3 is in Greenbrier County where the trail meets county road 14 to Lake Sherwood.

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    • Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

    • Bear Creek Lodge

    • Seneca State Forest

    • Route 39 Stop in Huntersville

    • Watoga State Park

    • Outdoor Adventures in White Sulphur Springs

    • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area, USFS

  • Section 3 is generally clear and well-blazed, but the seasonal brush can be a nuisance, especially on the ridges at gaps in the canopy.

    A microburst storm caused damage to the trail north of Huntersville in April 2020. The problem has been remedied, but the canopy was destroyed. The tread had to be reworked, but root balls remain and the area will be prone to seasonal brush.

    The tread needs improvement ascending Marlin Mountain from the north, and descending Middle Mountain, Buckley Mountain, and Meadow Creek Mountain to the south. Reroutes are being considered in several of these locations to improve the grade.

    The trail is steep in these locations, or the tread has narrowed over time and doesn’t feel wide enough for most backpackers. Improvements to Meadow Creek Mountain South are planned for September 2021.

Notice: January 2022
WVSTA was just apprised that a USFS project - the Dock Project - was started on the ALT in Section 3. This may necessitate a temporary change in the ALT route.

  • Jack Pirner

    SECTION THREE
    Co COORDINATOR
    jpirner21@gmail.com

  • Glenna Pirner

    SECTION THREE
    Co COORDINATOR
    gpirner31@gmail.com

SECTION FOUR

Sect. 4 North (15.63 mi) is open from the southern terminus of section 3 to Interstate 64, where it breaks.

Sect 4 South (21.02 mi) can be reached via a 33.3 mi road walk alternative that will get you to the south trailhead at Hanging Rock. Sect 4 South terminates on Peters Mountain at a junction with the Appalachian Trail.

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    • Outdoor Adventures in White Sulphur Springs

    • Moncove Lake State Park

    • The Barn Store

    • Cheese ‘n’ More Store

    • Kitchen Creek Bakery

  • The brush on Section 4N is mostly under control. During the summer the trail can become overgrown with brush and stinging nettle. Recommend long pants through the spring and summer months.

    It is recommended to plan on dry camping at the Graham Shelter. The water source by the Graham Shelter has a bad taste even after filtering. The pond is filled with rotting leaves and stumps.

  • Justin Mullins

    SECTION FOUR
    COORDINATOR
    Ph: 304-860-9735
    E: justin@wvscenictrails.org

  • Position Open

    SECTION FOUR
    ASSISTANT COORDINATOR