- Highlights: Views, stream crossings, waterfall, unique ecosystem
- Distance: 12.3 mile loop
- Elevation Change 1,046 feet
- Trail Surface: Dirt, rocks, and mud
- Difficulty Level: Moderate/strenuous
- Trailhead Parking: Wilderness Way Trailhead, Freeland Road/Blackbird Knob Road, route 37, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. A small parking area has room for 6-8 vehicles.
- Trail Markings: No blazes, signs at trail junctions
- Website: AllTrails and Dolly Sods Wilderness
- Beer Pairings: Stumptown Ales: Bewildered Hippie IPA & Multiple Hopgasms DIPA
Trail Map:
The Hike:
This is our third visit to Dolly Sods Wilderness. The unique ecosystem of Dolly Sods consists of rocky plains, upland bogs, heaths, and sweeping vistas. This area seems more like Canada than West Virginia. Dolly Sods is famous for great views, mud, and rocks. The trails are unmarked and downloading a trail map from AllTrails is essential.
Parking for the trailhead is Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, .3 miles west of the trailhead shown on AllTrails. Follow Wilderness Way from the parking area on Blackbird Knob Road into the Dolly Sods Wilderness.
Big Stonecoal Trail
At 1.4 miles, reach a four-way trail junction with a “Welcome to Dolly Sods” sign. The AllTrails loop begins on Breathed Mountain Trail (trail 553) hiking clockwise and loops back on Big Stonecoal (trail 513). Either direction will work and the spur trail to Lion’s Head is accessed from either direction.
We opted to begin on Big Stonecoal. The trails aren’t marked, although the path is usually obvious. However, we strongly recommend downloading a trail map in advance as cell service is nonexistent in the Sods.
The trail passes beside Stonecoal Run and there are several stream crossings. The summer of 2024 was pretty dry and all the stream crossings were simple rock hops on our hike in early November. However, after periods of heavy rain, some stream crossings could be through knee-high water. The trail passes a beaver dam and Big Stonecoal Run Falls before reaching the junction with Rocky Point Trail.
Lion’s Head Rocks
Bear left at the marked junction with Rocky Point Trail (trail 554). The trail passes beside and over some interesting rock formations before reaching a small rock cairn on the left. This is an alternate route to Lion’s Head. We didn’t take this spur; we continued a few hundred yards to the second small rock cairn on the left. The AllTrails map will help locate this spur trail.
This spur to Lion’s Head is short, steep, and rocky. Again the AllTrails map is helpful here. Pass through a rhododendron thicket and keep bearing to the right. There are several rock scrambles and you will think you are off the trail. Keep climbing and just past a small rocky outcrop you will reach a small campsite with a fire ring.
To the right of the campsite the trail leaves the forest and emerges onto a rocky outcrop with great views to the west, south, and east. Welcome to Lion’s Head Rocks. Even on a cloudy day, the views here are stunning. To the east are the rocky Rohrbaugh cliffs with vistas and valleys in a 270 degree panorama.
After taking in the amazing views, find your way back down the spur trail to Rocky Point. To continue the AllTrails loop, go left on Rocky Point and connect with Red Creek Trail (514) and Breathed Mountain Trail (553) to complete the loop at 12 miles. You can also make this hike an out and back by returning on Big Stonecoal for an 11 mile hike.
Hike Photos:
Beer Pairing:
Located about 30 minutes north of the trailhead in Davis WV is Stumptown Ales. They pay homage to hops and have a passion for brewing hop-centric craft beer. It was a long drive from Seneca Creek, but we had to visit. The beer was well worth the trip. The fun brewery is all about the beer. Food is limited to a few snacks (several decent restaurants are located nearby) and they only have indoor seating available in their small tasting room. Dogs are not allowed inside the brewery.
Logging and lumber references are everywhere. Davis was nicknamed “stumptown” back in the timbering days when it was possible to walk through town stepping only on tree stumps. The bar is made from a massive 21-foot long slab of red oak and tables are crafted from huge log slices.
Pete really like Bewildered Hippie (6.8% ABV) an American-style IPA which may be one of the best IPAs he has enjoyed in a long time. Kathy was equally pleased with Multiple Hopgasms (8% ABV) an Imperial IPA. Stumptown Ales is well worth a visit from just about anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. We are already planning our next hiking adventure so we can return to this amazing brewery.
Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe, be responsible, and leave no trace.