Stroll on the Sandstone Boardwalk

This is one of the most rewarding short walks in all of New River Gorge — a flat boardwalk that delivers views most trails make you sweat for. You'll stroll out over the New River to Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the river, where water cascades over a quarter-mile-wide ledge of ancient sandstone. The boardwalk is smooth and level, with interpretive signs along the way, and multiple overlook platforms let you linger at different vantage points. An optional dirt spur trail loops off the boardwalk for those who want a little more adventure underfoot. The falls themselves are mesmerizing — not a single dramatic plunge but a wide, stepped curtain of whitewater that changes character with the seasons. This is the trail for photographers, families with little ones, grandparents, and anyone who believes the best hikes are measured in views per step, not miles per hour.