#NRGTrailChallenge: Every Trail. Every Mile. Will You Conquer the Gorge?
Congratulations to all the folks who participated in the 2025 NRG Trail Challenge! It was a truly successful first year.
This year:
~7 people completed the entire trail challenge!
~1,000 miles hiked
~296 trail segments completed
We would also like to give a huge congratulations to our gift card winner: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧!
Thank you Active Southern West Virginia for partnering with us to make the trail challenge a reality.
December Trails
This is the last month of the NRG trail challenge! Thank you all to everyone that participated and hopefully were able to explore some new trails and see different parts of the NRG.
Don’t forget to swing by the store for your prizes!
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
November Trails
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
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Directions: Hike until you reach Kaymoor mine, then turn around. No need to go down the stairs (unless you want to).
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
October Trails
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
This loop trail in Babcock State Park, West Virginia, takes you around Boley Lake, offering a peaceful route through forests and along the water. The path features a mix of shaded areas and open spaces, with many spots to pause and enjoy views of the lake.
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
This is a combination of the easier routes in the Arrowhead Mountain Biking system. The route features little elevation gain which makes for a fun and flowy ride or hike. For those who want to extend their route, this trail can be connected to the Craig Branch Trail which adds a couple of miles to the total distance.
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Start Here & More info on AllTrails Here
Running parallel to the center of the gorge, this trail passes through historical coal mine sites named Kaymoor. Posted signs explain the history of the land, the mine operation, and the communities that inhabited this area.
September Trails
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Description text goes hereExplore one of the many trails that wonder around the Kaymoor mines. Don’t be afraid to add a few extra miles and continue exploring.
Start Here
Directions: Turn around at the fork, where the trail splits towards Elverton Rd.
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August Trails
July Trails
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Enjoy an easygoing walk along this peaceful, wooded route. If you're up to it, take the climber trail branching off from the main path. It’s a bit steep, but the trek is worth the gorgeous falls waiting for you at the end.
More info on AllTrails Here
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Wander through quiet woods and beneath a towering interstate bridge on this scenic trail. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning views—including picturesque waterfalls. While a few rock slides add some adventure, the route remains generally easy and enjoyable for most hikers.
More info on AllTrails Here
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Enjoy this easy, well-marked loop trail filled with natural beauty. Along the way, you’ll spot a variety of native plants, colorful wildflowers, fascinating mushrooms, and maybe even some local wildlife.
More info on AllTrails Here
June Trails
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Explore a scenic stone and dirt path that winds through impressive rock formations made of Nuttall sandstone. This trail connects to the Fayetteville Trail and leads beneath the iconic New River Gorge Bridge. Along the way, take in breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the gorge and the dramatic cliffs that rise across from you—a perfect route for adventure and unforgettable views.
Start Here
More Info on AllTrails Here
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This two-mile trail leads to the historic Brooklyn coal mine site, where remnants of the old mine—still visible just off the trail—tell the story of the area's past. Enjoy filtered views of the river through the trees as you walk along this former road, now a shared hiking and equestrian trail that offers a quiet escape into nature and history.
Start Here
More Info on AllTrails Here
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Discover the beauty of West Virginia on the Summersville Lake Trail—a scenic route that winds through lush woodlands and rugged, rocky terrain. As you hike, enjoy sweeping views of crystal-clear Summersville Lake, with plenty of spots to pause and take in the landscape.
Start Here
More Info on AllTrail Here
May Trails
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Traverse a peaceful, shaded trail beneath a canopy of trees, leading you to a quiet pond surrounded by vibrant green foliage.
More Info on AllTrails Here
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Enjoy a quiet out-and-back hike that begins in the storied town of Thurmond—once a lively coal-era train hub, now a quiet gateway to scenic trails and solitude.
More Info on All Trails Here
Hike on the Southside trail until you get to Red Ash (where you turned around last month). Make sure to check out the historic train town of Thurmond while you're there. Once a bustling center for coal, it is now the least-populous municipality in West Virginia with a population of 5 on the 2020 census!
Make sure you download the trail/map ahead of time as phone signal can be a little spotty. Don’t forget to check out the bridge before you leave!
April Trails
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This path follows the same route coal once traveled, zigzagging from the mine entrance to the Keeneys Creek railroad line with views of the conveyor and Gorge! Park at the top to save 20 minutes of driving or follow AllTrails directions to the lower lot. Either way, take some time to wander around the town of Nuttallburg and learn about the history there!
Start Here
More Info on AllTrails Here
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Savor the serenity of this peaceful out-and-back hike, featuring stunning river views and scattered remnants of historic mining structures.
Start Here or Brooklyn Campground
More Info on AllTrails Here
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March Trails
February Trails
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A serene wooded trail that ends just a short ten-minute walk from Court Street. Continue into town and reward yourself with a hot chocolate, or simply turn around and head back.
Start Here
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We’re returning to finish the Rend Trail, this time from the Thurmond side. Explore old rail lines, area history, and a hidden cliffside profile.
Start Here
January Trails
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2.5 miles of peaceful out-and-back rail grade along a rhododendron-lined creek.
Start Here
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