West Virginia’s Most Refreshing Hike, Glade Creek Trail, Will Lead You Straight To A Beautiful Swimming Hole

There are countless beautiful, peaceful, refreshing hikes in West Virginia. But at the top of the list, there's one clear stand-out: Glade Creek Trail in the state's New River Gorge region. Follow this beautiful waterfall trail and you'll find cascade after cascade, plus multiple swimming holes as well! Follow along to discover just a few of the Glade Creek falls and those refreshing, aforementioned Glade Creek Trail swimming holes!

It's a bold claim to pick the most refreshing hike in West Virginia. Sure, the GCT looks nice - a well-graded trail through the shady forest. But there are plenty of footpaths in West Virginia that boast the same.

However, do they all closely follow a stream as beautiful as Glade Creek the whole way?

Do they all pass cascade after cascade?

Seriously, they are absolutely everywhere you look!

Do they all offer swimming hole after swimming hole?

THIS is why we've boldly declared the GCT "the most refreshing trail in West Virginia."

One end of the trail starts not far from Little Beaver State Park in the Beckley, West Virginia area. The other spits out at the New River not far from Prince, West Virginia.

After a long but beautiful hike through the trees and along a stunning, soothing mountain stream...

...you can plunge into the water for a long, relaxing swim.

There's no wrong way to tackle this gorgeous hike.

As always when swimming in nature, use extreme caution. Rocks become slippery when wet, and fatalities have occurred while swimming in pools like this one.

Visit the National Park Service website to learn more about camping, exploring, and navigating the area. Download a trail app to make it even easier!

As a bonus, if you hike the entire length of the GCT, you'll cross right under the highest interstate bridge in America!