New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Woodland Loop Trail
easy FamiliesYoung KidsWildflower Season
0.6 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
loop Trail Type
What to Expect
The Woodland Loop is the kind of trail that reminds you why New River Gorge isn't just about the big-ticket gorge views. At barely over half a mile, this shaded loop winds through a dense Appalachian hardwood canopy — oak, maple, and tulip poplar closing overhead with rhododendron thickets filling the understory. The trail surface is packed earth, mostly smooth with occasional roots, and the grade stays gentle throughout. There's no dramatic payoff moment, no vista or waterfall — just a quiet immersion in the forest. In spring, the understory erupts with wildflowers; in fall, the canopy turns gold and amber. This is the trail you take when a toddler needs to stretch their legs, when you want a five-minute nature break between longer adventures, or when someone in your group isn't up for anything strenuous.
Trail Details
Distance 0.6 miles round-trip
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type loop
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Woodland Loop Trail
- 1
Pair this with the Long Point Trail or Grandview Rim Trail the same day — the Woodland Loop takes under 30 minutes and leaves plenty of energy for something more ambitious.
- 2
Visit in mid-April through early May for the best wildflower showing; trout lilies, bloodroot, and wild geranium carpet the forest floor before the canopy fills in and shuts out the light.
- 3
The loop direction matters less than you'd think, but going counterclockwise tends to keep the better light at your back in the morning hours if you're shooting photos.
