Endless Wall Trail in New River Gorge National River, WV Hiking Guide

Endless Wall Trail, despite its name, is a relatively short point-to-point trail that weaves through the lush forests of West Virginia, traversing along the soaring sandstone cliffs of the New River Gorge. It’s free to access and easy enough for hikers of all skill levels.

Difficulty

Easy

Distance

2.3 miles

Elevation

288 feet

Time

54 minutes

Route Type

Point to point

Pets Allowed

Yes, on leash

Trail Begins

Nuttall Trailhead on Lansing-Edmond Road

Gear / To Bring

Sun protection (glasses, hat, sunscreen)
Water (at least one liter per hour on the trail)
Hiking boots
Climbing gear (optional)

Best Seasons

Year-round

Parking

Parking is available at either end of the trail. The starting trailhead often fills up, and parking on the side of the road is not permitted. Get there early to park at the first trailhead. If it’s full, park at the second trailhead and walk back to the first or hike the trail in reverse.

Bikes

Not allowed

Fees

None

Endless Wall Trail Location

You’ll find the Endless Wall Trail in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve near the towns of Fayetteville and Lansing, West Virginia. Along the way, you’ll witness several stunning vistas of the New River, one of the oldest rivers on the North American continent, which weaves through the 70,000-acre park.

The trail zig-zags along Fern Creek and creeps on the edge of the jagged cliffs 1,000 feet above the New River. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot climbers taking advantage of one of 1,600 climbing routes of all difficulty levels found inside the Preserve, or try one yourself. Familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace principles before climbing to help preserve this natural playground forever.

Endless Wall Trail Length

The Endless Wall Trail is just shy of 2.5 miles one-way, from point to point. If you’re feeling energetic, you can retrace your steps, taking the outer loop to three scenic overlooks as you complete the 5-mile out-and-back route. On the other hand, if you’d rather cut it short, you can hike an additional half a mile back up the access road to the starting trailhead.

Endless Wall Trail Hours

The Endless Wall Trail is in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which has no specified hours. Visitor centers in the park have designated hours, which you can find on the park website. The trail fills up quickly on the weekends, so plan a weekday trip if you can, or aim for early morning or late evening if you have to go on a weekend.

Endless Wall Trail Reviews

Reviewers say that the Endless Wall Trail offers stunning views to hikers of all skill levels. Beginners and seasoned hikers alike can enjoy the beauty of West Virginia along the Endless Wall Trail. Keep an eye on small children near the overlooks, which are not childproofed.

One last thing to note is that the “climber’s access” trails are more challenging, so unless you’re an experienced hiker or climber, you may want to stick to the main trail.

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