High Falls - Glady, West Virginia


Printable Topo Trail Map
   Click for location shots
  Click icons for location shots
   Click for parking/start location
   Hiking trails
   Other trails

Sign up for REI Gearmail
and save 15%!

REI.com

Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
8.2 mls
Hiking Time:
Elev. Gain:
Links:
Resources:
4.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
1,440 ft
Monongahela National Forest
Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF)
Glady Weather Forecast
Graphic Precip/Temp Forecast
Current Weather Radar Loop (Java)
Garmin (GDB), GPS eXchange (GPX) (What's this?)
3D View of Route!
From:

e.g.. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA
NOTE: The directions above take you to Beulah Rd in Glady. Continue on Beulah Rd for 3.9 miles and park on the right 75 yards before the High Falls trailhead.

High Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Monongahela, and at an altitude of over 2,800ft, one of the highest. The High Falls trail passes through old growth forest, and large hemlock as it winds through the saddle on Shavers Mountain. This is a beautiful hike in the backcountry of the Monongahela National Forest.

From the parking pull-out on FR44/Beulah Rd, walk 75 yards to the blue blazed/diamond High Falls trailhead. Follow the High Falls Trail for 0.2 miles and cross West Fork over a wooden footbridge. In another 0.3 miles the High Falls trail will join the Allegheny trail at an old access road.

Cross the access road and pass through a large field, as the now blue/yellow blazed Allegheny/High Falls trail climbs Shaver Mountain. In 1.2 miles from the field, arrive at the saddle on Shaver Mountain and the only good campsite on the hike (no water). Just past the campsite arrive at the intersection where the Allegheny Trail splits left.

Stay straight, now going downhill on the blue blazed High Falls trail and reach a small abandoned service road in 0.2 miles. Important: Turn right as the blue blazed trail now follows the service road (SR), and DOES NOT cross it. Follow the blue blazed SR for another 0.2 miles where the High Falls trail turns left off the SR downhill.

Follow the blue blazed High Falls trail for 1.1 miles where the trail arrives at the railroad tracks. Important: DO NOT descend the burn on the other side of the railroad tracks. Turn right, the High Falls trail will now follow beside the railroad tracks the remaining 0.9 miles to High Falls. DO NOT walk in the center of the tracks, and pay extra attention for trains.

High Falls is a stopping point for a scenic rail tour, and it's possible that when you arrive at the depot hut, and High Falls, there are a group of people. If a scenic tour passes make sure to wave to the passengers, as they'll be wondering where you came from :)

At the small depot and High Falls, follow the trail as it heads to either the upper or lower viewpoint. High Falls is horseshoe shaped, and over 100ft wide, falling 20ft into a large pool below.

To return, retrace your route back over Shavers Mountain. Be extra cautious listening for trains on the return route, as they generally approach from the north at your back.

Interactive Hike Map Below Printable Topo Hike Map (PDF)
Hike route in   Drag the map with your mouse using the icon Zoom with the controls on the left
Click the icons in the map below for location shots


Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the High Falls hike:

=
Hiker Reviews For The High Falls Hike (5 Most Recent)
Review the High Falls hike here!   Average Review Rating:

By: Bev Johnston Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, August 30, 2009
Beautiful country and it was worth the time to see the falls.   First time I had been on a trail with so many rocks on the trail.

Late October
 
about us | home page | terms of use | © 2000 - 2010