Red Spruce Knob

To reach Red Spruce Knob trailhead from Marlinton, West Virginia, take HW 219N for about 7 miles then turn left onto HW150. Follow HW150 for about 5 miles, and the parking lot and trailhead will be on the left side of the road. The Red Spruce Knob trail is easy to follow and is well marked with blue diamond blazes. During the summer there are a few areas of the trail that become overgrown, but even in these areas, the trail is still clearly marked and easy to follow. The first 0.4 miles of the Red Spruce Knob trail is uphill, and you will hike about 200’ of the 380’ of elevation gain in this section, but it is not too steep. The next 0.4 miles of the trail is mostly flat, and this is where the trail can become overgrown in areas. The last part of the trail gradually climbs until you reach the summit. Around the 1 mile mark into the hike, the trail splits but it doesn’t matter which way you go because the trail circles the summit and leads back to the this spot. I usually stay on the right fork on the trail as it swings around the summit ofRed Spruce Knob. On the southeast side of the summit is a narrow  overlook that give you a view of the nearby Appalachian Mountains. Once you have enjoyed the view, continue to follow the trail around the summit, and once you reach the junction, turn right and follow the trail north back to the parking lot.

The vista is beautiful, but my favorite part of the trail is the circle around the summit. This part of the mountain is an old-growth pine forest with lush moss growing everywhere below the trees. Trails lined with moss are hard to find on the east coast, and this was a real treat to discover. This is a great trail for kids, and dogs are allows on the trail so you are allowed to bring the whole family. I have hiked it with my kids who are 4 and 7 years old with no issues.