May 22, 20233 min read

Exploring Snowshoe: Unforgettable Hiking Trails and Tower Views

Updated: Jun 6, 2023

Snowshoe, West Virginia, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of hiking trails and a fire watch tower that provide stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Here's some information about the hiking trails and fire watch tower in Snowshoe: (hiking path [photos] and fire tower views [video] located at bottom of blog article)

Hiking Trails

Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail: This trail offers a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience, taking you along the ridge of Cheat Mountain. The trail spans about 14 miles and provides breathtaking views of the Allegheny Highlands and Monongahela National Forest.
Shavers Lake Trail: This is a relatively easy hiking trail that loops around Shavers Lake. It's approximately 2.5 miles long and is a great option for a leisurely stroll or a family hike. The trail offers beautiful lake views and serene surroundings.
Allegheny Trail: The Allegheny Trail is a long-distance trail that spans approximately 330 miles through West Virginia. While not exclusively within Snowshoe, parts of the trail are accessible from the Snowshoe area. It's a popular option for backpacking and offers a diverse range of landscapes, including forests, rivers, and mountains.
Raven Ridge Trail: This trail is a moderately challenging option that leads you through beautiful forested areas and offers scenic views. It stretches for about 4 miles and is known for its wildflowers and wildlife sightings.
Seneca Creek Trail: Located in the nearby Seneca State Forest, this trail offers a challenging but rewarding hiking experience. It's a 10-mile loop that takes you through lush forests, alongside scenic streams, and past picturesque waterfalls, including the stunning Seneca Falls. The trail is known for its natural beauty and is a favorite among experienced hikers.

Hiking Trails Near Snowshoe

Tea Creek Trail: This trail is located within the Monongahela National Forest, near Snowshoe. It's a 13-mile loop that showcases the area's diverse ecosystem, including forests, meadows, and streams. The trail is moderately challenging and offers opportunities for camping and fishing along the way.
Greenbrier River Trail: While not directly in Snowshoe, the Greenbrier River Trail is a popular nearby option for hiking and biking enthusiasts. It's a 78-mile rail trail that follows the scenic Greenbrier River through forests, farmland, and small towns. The trail is relatively flat, making it suitable for all skill levels, and offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscapes.
Highland Scenic Highway: If you're interested in combining hiking with scenic driving, the Highland Scenic Highway is worth exploring. This designated National Scenic Byway stretches for 43 miles and offers several pull-off points with access to hiking trails. The trails range from short, easy walks to more strenuous hikes, allowing you to enjoy the stunning vistas and the unique ecosystems of the Monongahela National Forest.

Fire Watch Tower

Snowshoe Fire Tower

The fire watch tower in Snowshoe is located atop Cheat Mountain and is known as the Snowshoe Fire Tower. This tower serves as a lookout point for spotting and monitoring forest fires in the area. It's an iconic structure that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Visitors can climb the stairs of the tower to reach the top observation deck, where they can enjoy breathtaking vistas and take in the natural beauty of the landscape. It's a great spot for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
To get here, you can take the ATV's through the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail ORRRR if you are feeling for an extra challenge, you would go around Shaver's Lake and go up the difficult trail called "Bail Out!" Yes, it's name is just as hard as it seems. We took this trail our first time in Snowshoe and boy was it tough... but very rewarding!

Here's our little video once we reached the peak of the Snowshoe Fire Tower

It's important to note that trail conditions and accessibility may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. Before embarking on any hiking adventure, it's recommended to check with local authorities or visitor centers for up-to-date information, trail maps, and any necessary permits or regulations.

Snowshoe's Backcountry Map