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Our West Virginia adventure was coming to an end, and we wanted to spend our last evening enjoying a little more of the wild and wonderful scenery that had made this trip so memorable. We had spent our time exploring mountain views and discovering some of the beautiful places tucked into this part of the state, but there was still time for one more adventure before heading home.

We made our way to Hawks Nest State Park for a walk along its historic rail trail. It seemed like the perfect way to wrap up our visit. The trail offered a chance to stretch our legs, enjoy the outdoors, and discover a little more about the history of the area. What we found was a peaceful path winding through lush greenery, along an old railroad route, and past beautiful views of the river below.

One of the things I love about exploring places like this is discovering how the past and present overlap. A route that once carried trains through the mountains now gives visitors a chance to slow down and appreciate the very landscape those trains once passed through. It was a lovely reminder that sometimes an old path can lead to an entirely new adventure.

Hawks Nest State Park

1. Walking the Historic Rail Trail
2. More to Explore at Hawks Nest State Park
3. Know Before You Go: Hawks Nest State Park

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Walking the Historic Rail Trail

West Virginia has a long history tied to coal mining, and railroads once played an important role in transporting coal throughout the state. Today, some former railway routes have found a new purpose as trails, allowing visitors to experience landscapes that were once part of the state’s industrial past.

We began our walk near what had once been the train station in Ansted. From there, the trail led us along a green, tunnel-like corridor, with trees and vegetation surrounding the path. It felt like stepping into another world, even though we were following a route that had once been used for a very different purpose.

As we continued, the trail opened onto a boardwalk built over the old railway route. It was fascinating to see the original rails winding through the trees and to imagine the trains that had once traveled along them. The views of the river below made this stretch especially beautiful.

The final portion of our walk continued alongside the river, with dramatic rock formations rising on the other side of the trail. The combination of water, towering rocks, and lush greenery made this more than just a pleasant walk. It was a chance to appreciate both the natural beauty of the area and the history woven into the landscape.

We walked a little over a mile along this section of the trail, eventually reaching the main area of Hawks Nest State Park. It was a beautiful way to spend our last evening in West Virginia.

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More to Explore at Hawks Nest State Park

Our walk ended near the park’s lower area, where visitors can find the nature center and gift shop, along with other park amenities. The park also has a restaurant at the lodge, offering another reason to linger and enjoy the views.

One of the attractions we would have loved to experience was the aerial tramway. During its operating season, the tram carries visitors from the upper part of the park down toward the river, offering a different perspective on the surrounding mountains and gorge. It sounds like a wonderful way to appreciate the landscape from above.

Hawks Nest State Park has more to offer than we were able to fit into our visit, including scenic overlooks and additional hiking trails. We were glad we made time for the rail trail, but it would be easy to spend longer exploring the park and its surroundings.

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Know Before You Go: Hawks Nest State Park

Hawks Nest State Park is a scenic stop in Ansted, West Virginia, where visitors can enjoy mountain views, explore the park’s trails, and discover a little of the region’s railroad history. We especially enjoyed walking a section of the historic rail trail, which follows an old railway route through the greenery and alongside the river.

Trail Details

• Trail: Hawks Nest Rail Trail
• Location: Hawks Nest State Park, near Ansted, West Virginia
• Distance: We walked a little over a mile on the section we explored. The full rail trail is approximately 3.8 miles.
• What to expect: A wooded path, sections of boardwalk, remnants of the old railroad, river views, and dramatic rock formations.
• Why we enjoyed it: It was a peaceful walk that combined beautiful scenery with a glimpse into West Virginia’s railroad and coal-mining history.
• Other things to do: Visit the scenic overlooks, explore additional trails, or check whether the aerial tramway is operating during your visit.

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Rail trails are such wonderful places to explore. They offer an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while discovering a little piece of the history that helped shape the communities around them. Instead of rushing past the landscape, you get to walk through it, noticing the details along the way and imagining what life might have looked like when the route served a very different purpose.

That was part of what made our walk at Hawks Nest State Park so enjoyable. The green, tunnel-like stretch of trail, the old rails winding through the trees, the boardwalk, and the views of the river all made the walk feel special. It was beautiful on its own, but knowing that we were following a route once used by trains carrying coal through West Virginia gave the experience another layer of meaning.

I found myself imagining what it must have been like to travel this same stretch by train, watching the trees, rocks, and river pass by the window. Today, we get to experience it at a much slower pace, taking our time and appreciating the scenery along the way.

We were glad we made time for this walk on our last evening in West Virginia. There is still more we’d like to explore at Hawks Nest State Park, from its overlooks to the other trails and attractions, but this was a lovely introduction. It was a peaceful way to end our visit and another reminder of why we love these little misadventures. Sometimes the most memorable experiences aren’t the ones that require an elaborate plan. Sometimes they’re simply a walk along an old path, a beautiful view, and a little time to imagine the stories the landscape could tell.

Thanks for coming along on this visit to Hawks Nest State Park. May you follow an old rail trail for the most incredible views.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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