Do you ever have trouble agreeing on where to hike because you can’t decide (either in your own mind or among your hiking partners) whether you want to tromp through the beautiful forests of West Virginia or whether you’d rather get some of the Mountain State’s famous waterfront views? Here’s a trail that lets you do both, and it’s arguably one of the best hikes you can take in the whole state.
The New River Gorge, West Virginia. It’s likely the most well known of attractions in the whole state, and for good reason. And one of the most famous natural panoramas in this beloved natural wonder is Sandstone Falls.
Jennifer W / Alltrails
Stretching across the entirety of the New River, Sandstone Falls is the widest waterfall in West Virginia.
Joel Behl / Alltrails
And one of the best ways to see it is from the vantage point of the Island Loop Trail, which begins and ends at the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk.
Kevin Kelly / Alltrails
The Island Loop Trail will take you on a tour around one of the New River’s larger islands, from Sandstone Falls into the forest.
Daniel Acedos / Alltrails
Except it hasn’t always been forest. It used to be farmland. Now, the forest is reclaiming its old territory, and filling back in this island that was once logged and cultivated by local Appalachian subsistance farmers.
Pete Hall / Alltrails
Along the Island Loop Trail, you’ll enjoy the shade of these regrown trees, as well as the lush green of mossy rocks against the leaf-litter browns of the forest floor.
Pete Hall / Alltrails
You’ll cross rushing streams dotted with jutting boulders.
Sidney Chow / Alltrails
You’ll pass mini-cascades that are small but fierce in their energy and ambition.
Rona Law / Alltrails Maybe they dream of growing up to be just like Sandstone Falls one day?
And in the end you’ll wind up right back where you started - at the beautiful, mighty, iconic Sandstone Falls.
Mike Baum / Alltrails The Island Loop Trail is rated “easy.” It’s only a mile in length and gains less than 22 feet of elevation, making it suitable for many ages and abilities.
To learn more, visit the Island Loop Trail page on Alltrails or check out the information provided on the New River Gorge National Park’s Sandstone Falls Trails webpage. Find Sandstone Falls (and the Island Loop Trail) at the end of West Virginia’s longest scenic riverside drive, which is a worthy adventure in and of itself!
Jennifer W / Alltrails
Joel Behl / Alltrails
Kevin Kelly / Alltrails
Daniel Acedos / Alltrails
Pete Hall / Alltrails
Sidney Chow / Alltrails
Rona Law / Alltrails
Maybe they dream of growing up to be just like Sandstone Falls one day?
Mike Baum / Alltrails
The Island Loop Trail is rated “easy.” It’s only a mile in length and gains less than 22 feet of elevation, making it suitable for many ages and abilities.
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Address: Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, New River Rd, Shady Spring, WV 25918, USA
