Dolly Sods North Loop via Bear Rocks

Maysville, West Virginia

5.0/5

based on 1 reviews

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Details

Distance

11.69 miles

Elevation Gain

1171 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Dottie Bond

Dolly Sods North Loop via Bear Rocks offers an amazing weekend outing that's only a 3-hour drive from the greater Washington, D.C. metro area. This is must-do for anyone in the Mid-Atlantic. Whether you choose to hike this loop in a day or camp overnight, the 11.7 miles that gains 1,170 feet over gradual terrain serves as a wonderful introduction to hiking in the region.

Arguably one of the most beautiful hiking areas on the United States' east coast, the Dolly Sods Wilderness inarguably has the most unique trailhead warning sign: Watch out for unexploded ordinance in the area. (The U.S. Army used the area for artillery and mortar training during WWII.) Don't fret, though. With over 47 miles of hiking trails crisscrossing and looping around an open plateau, you'll have little need to wander too far off trail to observe the beauty of these grassy meadows, stunted red spruce and sphagnum bogs.

Of all the trails, the Dolly Sods North Loop is my favorite. Pitch a tent halfway through the loop in a section of windswept meadow replete with rocky boulders and a stunning view of the Canaan Valley.

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Camping

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Reviews

Stephen Catalano

Dolly Sods North Loop via Bear Rocks

08/09/20

Dolly Sods gets a ton of rain, so whenever I see clear skies and sunshine in the forecast I take full advantage. The trails stay pretty muddy but the sweeping views and diverse flora are truly spectacular. The landscape is essentially what you might find in northern Canada (read the signs when you get there, they'll tell you why!).

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Bear Rocks Loop

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Bear Rocks and Beaver Dam Loop

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Photograph Bear Rocks Preserve

The Bear Rocks Preserve is a 477 acre land tract maintained and supported by The Nature Conservancy. Offering a diverse range of plant species more commonly seen in the Northeast, visitors will find blueberries, huckleberries, mountain laurel, azalea, and rhododendron among the sandstone outcrops at the Bear Rocks Preserve. As one of the most popular attractions in the state of West Virginia,...

Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski Dolly Sods

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Dolly Sods Wilderness North Loop via Rocky Ridge Trail

The hike begins at the "Dolly Sods Trailhead Parking" location easily found on Google Maps. The lot is big enough for about 6-8 vehicles. Begin walking at the end of the gravel parking lot/road for about 0.5 miles until you enter the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in a small grassy field where several trails begin and are well marked. The North loop is famous for several reasons one being the Rock...

Dolly Sods North Loop via Bear Rocks

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Leave No Trace

Nearby

Bear Rocks Loop

Bear Rocks and Beaver Dam Loop

Photograph Bear Rocks Preserve

Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski Dolly Sods

Camp at Red Creek Campground

Dolly Sods Wilderness North Loop via Rocky Ridge Trail

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