Five-Star Trails: West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest

Discover 40 five-star hiking trails in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, including popular routes and hidden gems.


The Monongahela National Forest is the heart and soul of West Virginia’s outdoors scene and a natural getaway for hikers and weekend backpackers. With the Dolly Sods and Otter Creek wildernesses to the north and the Cranberry Backcountry to the south—plus special places like the Falls of Hills Creek and Seneca Rocks—the “Mon” offers more than 800 miles of hiking opportunities to rocky overlooks, backcountry waterfalls, and botanically rich parcels, all within a short drive of Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.


Explore 40 of the region’s best, five-star trails with this easy-to-carry and easy-to-use guidebook. In the updated edition, acclaimed author and hiking expert Johnny Molloy shares everything you need to know about spectacular outings that lead to mountain panoramas, untamed streams, remote wilderness, and more.


Inside you’ll find:

Descriptions of 40 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests
GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads
Insight into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes
Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children

Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail!