We Love Visiting This Underrated Roadside Waterfall Cove In West Virginia

I have a confession, friends: I am a waterfall wanderer. Winter, spring, summer, or fall -- I'm always on the lookout for a chance to enjoy a wild, wonderful mountain cascade. One of my and my family's favorites is Cathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. We love it because it's so easy to access from the road. We love it because it's so impressively tall -- one of the tallest waterfalls in West Virginia. We love it because the little cove it falls into creates a haven from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Cathedral Falls is my favorite easy-access waterfall in West Virginia, hiding just steps from the side of the road! Let me take you on a photo tour to show you what I mean.

First things first: let me acquaint you with the drive. It's a beautiful one along Highway 60 (otherwise known as the Midland Trail), whether you're coming from Gauley Bridge or Hawks Nest State Park.

As you might expect, it features some typical West Virginia curvy roads and lots of beautiful mountain views. I have found myself beginning to relax well before reaching Cathedral Falls itself, just soaking in these splendid vistas.

From the small but scenic parking area, it's just a short stroll back to the cove that hides Cathedral Falls. Despite the fact that it's just a few steps, really, from the car, you'll still manage to cross a little creek on a quaint wooden bridge that only adds to the charm of the place.

In the springtime, which is my favorite time to visit, there should be plenty of water pouring over the rim of the cliff into the bowl below.

We've found that sometimes in late summer and fall, the water level drops to a trickle.

I still think it's beautiful, but my kids don't find it quite as impressive!

Summer is good for wading or swimming in the pool at the bottom of the falls, though!

And winter is fun because if you time it right, you can catch Cathedral Falls as a beautiful, lacy pile of ice. But as I'm sure you already know, go carefully on the winter roads and walking paths.

Basically what I'm saying is that there's no wrong season to visit this under-rated roadside waterfall.

Have you ever been to Cathedral Falls on Highway 60 near Gauley Bridge in the New River Gorge National Park area of West Virginia? Whether you have or you haven't, I recommend planning a visit soon: in my opinion, it's perhaps THE best easy-access waterfall in all of West Virginia!