We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Strangest Hiking Trail Name in West Virginia

There are many reasons to love West Virginia, though the hiking trails rank number one for me. I’m always fascinated by how hiking trails get their names. Most are named after Native American tribes or early settlers. Many are named for the flora/fauna in the region. You can generally figure out a trail name history pretty easily, but sometimes you stumble across what I call “clickbait trail names.” These are the ones that make you do a double-take: Lions Head Loop, Beartown Boardwalk, or the Big Foot Trail. 

The Devils Nose Trail in the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area is one of the strangest hiking trail names in West Virginia. It made me laugh when I saw it. Why is it named Devil's Nose? Would I be climbing into a cave? Is the terrain so difficult that I’d be cursing God? The answer is no to both questions, but this trail certainly delivers on spectacular scenery that will have you saying, “Oh my God,”.

You’ll find the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia's eastern panhandle. Clocking in at nearly 23,000 acres, it’s a nature lover’s playground. There are countless miles of trails that weave through the wildlife management area, including the Devil’s Nose Trail. 

The trailhead (and parking lot) can be a bit tricky to find. Here’s a link to the location on Google Maps, and I’d recommend having the AllTrails map handy, too. 

The three-mile loop trail in West Virginia takes you on a scenic journey through both old-growth and new-growth forests, with epic views along the way. If you’re hiking the Devil’s Nose Trail in the summer months, your pathway will be illuminated by the many flowers that grow alongside the trail. What an enchanting spot to spend the day!

The creek is a good spot for a splash and a cool down. Dogs are welcome to join in on the fun, just make sure to keep them on a leash. Where there is a water source, there’s bound to be wildlife. Snakes love to sunbathe on the rocks, so keep an eye out. On the flip side, keep an ear out for some of the melodic songbirds above! Cerulean warblers, American redstarts, and prairie warblers are just a few of the feathered friends you may encounter here. Red-shouldered hawks and bald eagles also call this area home, and they’re a magnificent sight to see!

If you love this trail in the summer when everything is a vibrant shade of green and there are beautiful wildflowers everywhere, then you will love this hike in the fall too. This overlook showcases the best fall foliage in West Virginia, so be sure to put it on your to-do list for autumn!  

Visit the AllTrails website to see a full breakdown of the trail and start planning your adventure today. For more outdoor adventures, check out some of our favorite hiking trails in West Virginia.