Visiting the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia? Check out the Endless Wall Trail for views of the rocky cliffs, valley and river.
I’ve enjoyed exploring New River Gorge for years, and when it became a national park in 2020, I was eager to visit again.
It’s an area of southern West Virginia known for its beautiful, expansive views of river, cliff, and valley.
Whether you’re looking for hiking, rock climbing, cycling, or whitewater rafting, there’s plenty to explore!
On our recent trip to the gorge, we focused on some of the park’s most scenic trails. My two favorites (so far!) are the Long Point Trail and the Endless Wall Trail.
Looking for more outdoors fun in West Virginia? There’s lots to do at New River Gorge, or try Gray Flats South Trail in Beckley, Pinnacle Rock State Park near Princeton, Kanawha State Forest in Charleston, or Summit Lake near Richwood!
Is the Endless Wall Trail Difficult?
It’s listed as a moderate trail, but it’s definitely on the easier side of moderate. There is a slight elevation change and some rhododendron roots to step over.
Two Trailheads, One Path
The trail is a 2.4-mile broken loop, beginning at the Fern Creek Trailhead, and ending at the Nuttall Trailhead.
To make it a complete loop, you have to hike another 0.5 miles on the side of a small country road, back to the Fern Creek Trailhead.
We prefer to begin at one of the trailheads (either Fern Creek or Nuttall, whichever has available parking), and then make this an out-and-back trail by hiking to Diamond Point Overlook and then turning back the way we came.
Diamond Point Overlook is approximately one mile from the Fern Creek Trailhead and 1.2 miles from the Nuttall Trailhead.
Both sections of the trail have fairly similar difficulty levels, although the Fern Creek section might be more difficult for someone who’s not steady on their feet.
I prefer the views of the cliffs from the overlooks between Diamond Point and Fern Creek, but have found that the section between Nuttall and Diamond Point are more clearly marked with trail signs.
Hiking The Endless Wall Trail
We approached the trail this time from the Fern Creek trailhead in Edmond, WV. To get there, turn off Route 19 onto Lansing-Edmond Road, and drive 1.3 miles.
The trail starts out as an easy, wooded trail. Each side of the trail is blanketed in rhododendrons.
It actually feels like an endless wall of rhododendrons.
The trail remains densely wooded, crosses a creek, and becomes slightly rockier as you get closer to the overlook.
And yes, this is true no matter which trailhead you start from.
Then suddenly, there’s a small opening for an overlook, and there it is– the Endless Wall of rock.
As you hike, you’ll pass lots of small overlooks like the one pictured below. Find your favorite and enjoy the views.
Stop for a drink of water, admire the rocky view, and then keep walking to the “official” trail overlook.
Diamond Point — with its diamond-shaped rocky overlook (and more of the endless wall) — was just around the corner.
We shared the breathtaking overlook with a few other hikers and watched the kayaks and whitewater rafters float by in the river down below.
Eventually, we left the overlook, headed back down the trail, and drove to the next trailhead.
Have you discovered New River Gorge National Park yet? Let me know in the comments what your favorite trails and activities are!
Leave a Comment: