LOCATION: Davis, West Virginia
TRAIL DISTANCE: 14.2 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS Forest Road 80
TRAIL TYPE: Loop
TRAIL GRADE:  Strenuous (4)
TRAIL PARKING: 8 spots or less
KEY WORDS: Unique, Summit Views, Rock Scramble

More West Virginia Trails

TRAIL INFO
What’s to like about the trail:  A hike like no other, truly meant for folks who love to experience nature in all of its forms. This trail system is ala carte, its camping accessible and is a showcase of the highest plateau on the east coast.
Why go for a hike on this trail:  Diversity! From bountiful vistas, towering pines and hemlocks, eroding sandstone pillars to dense forest and low lying bogs this area is diversity rich.
Best time to go for a hike on this trail:  Spring, Summer & Fall

Summary
​Dolly Sods is a wilderness area covering 17,371 acres. It has a rich diversity of trees and plant life spread amongst vast formations of Sandstone. At its peak elevation of 4,123 ft. this area resembles more Southern Canada than West Virginia. The name Dolly Sods originates from Sheep Herding that was popular in the 19th century. 

Your adventure begins at the end of Forest Road 80 at a very limited side of road parking area.. From here take Wilderness Way for 0.3 into the Dolly Sods. The Sods begin with a lush introductory walk amongst Mountain Laurels cascading into dense forest landscape. The trail is fairly level with limited elevation change ,  a few muddy points to navigate and a light rocky terrain to traverse. Eventually the trail comes to a four way trail intersection. It is worth noting that trails in Dolly Sods are not marked with colors along the way, instead at each trail intersection you will find a trail head with signage. This can be tricky in parts, however you are in luck as this trail system is used so often that you can easily pick up where the trail continues. Back to our adventure, at the four way intersection break left and join the Blackbird trail (TR 511). The trail begins with a slight ascent along a moderate single-track with small stones and compacted dirt. Follow the blackbird for 0.3 miles until its end point and begin your fun on the Rocky Ridge trail (TR524) which will bring on some of the more picturesque hiking in the Dolly Sods. The trail steadily (and without much ado) begins to climb as pine groves give way to open balds and the BIG views. You are in for a real treat as views of Timberline, Canaan Valley and the Eastern Continental Divide are ready for your photo taking. Continue upward, start to notice the inclusion of sandstone boulders with wild wind blown formations that line the trail. Your trail experience during the ridge trail is one of beauty and of exposure. There are few trees to provide protection from the elements in this region. Take great care to drink water due to the elevation, wear sunscreen and protect your head as you traverse the Ridge trail. Throughout the Ridge trail there are ample opportunities to pop off and find a boulder or outcrop to have lunch or take in the view of the Sods diverse topography. The Ridge trail is 3.0 miles total until it meets the Ravens Ridge (TR521). This trail is a potpourri of dense forest and open pasture. For 2.8 miles enjoy pockets of Aspen and Hemlock tree canopy while giant ferns line the forest floor. The trail is an easy cascade downward, mixed with stones and compacted dirt as it leads down to the lower region of the Dolly Sods. At the conclusion of your 2.8 miles, take a right onto the Dobbin Grade trail (TR526) for a mere 0.4 miles. This portion can become quite boggy during the wetter months and should be cautiously navigated when crossing small creeks and muddy areas. After 0.4 miles, look to connect with the Upper Red Creek trail (TR509) for 1.3 miles. This trail will begin to slowly climb through pockets of forest with some tough terrain in the form or small rocks (I call them ankle biters as they like to twist and turn ankles or flip the rock and hit you right on the ankle bone) The Upper Red Creek is in the low lands areas and will tend to be overrun with water which result in more creek crossing or mud crossings. At the end of the 1.3 miles, hang a right onto Blackbird (TR 511) , yes the same as you started. Here it is a 2.9 mile trek across the girth of the  mountain. The trail is robust with its diverse nature offerings from dense groves of pine, small creek crossings, thickets of fern and areas of Hemlock. Its a fantastic twist and turn trail that ends with a rocky impact of large boulders, rocks and stones . Once again return to your four way intersection, and turn left onto the exit trail and in 0.3 reconnect with the Wilderness Way trail and your car.

HIKE ON!

GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS

• 2 Water bottles or Hydration Pack
  
• hiking shoes or trail runners
  
• Lunch,  Trail Bars, Nuts 
  
• Suncreen
  
• Bug Spray

• Nearby Trails
• Things to Know

<

>

• No Entrance Fee required
• Primitive camping available, unable to reserve
• Forest Road is gravel , vehicles with clearance or 4WD recommended
• Prepare for vast exposure to the sun, wind and elements
• Low lying areas prone to flooding, muddy conditions