When you think about going for a hike in West Virginia, you might tend to assume that spring, summer, or fall is the best time to do so. And while those seasons all have their own merits, there are some hikes through the thick, lush Appalachian forest that are best accomplished in winter, after the leaves have fallen and the undergrowth on the forest floor has died back.

The hike to the old Alfred Beckley Mill in Piney Creek Gorge is one such hike, when the perfect pairing of old mill ruin and beautiful waterfall is best seen during the late fall, winter, and early spring months.
Keith Withrow/Google Maps
The Piney Creek Trail System boasts more than a dozen trails and can be accessed from the Beckley YMCA Parking Lot or from the end of Jersey Avenue (the Jersey Avenue end is closer to the mill ruins).
Herbert Balser/Google Maps
The hike to the ruin is a bit steep in places but well worth the effort to reach.
Robert Bass/Google Maps

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The Alfred Beckley Mill is named for the founder of the town of Beckley, West Virginia, who was a brigadier general in the Civil War. He commissioned the mill, built in 1835, to grind grain for the proposed city of Beckley. It remained the most significant mill in the area through the early 1900s. Now, the mill, although in ruins, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Robert Bass/Google Maps
While you're exploring the mill ruins and the mill waterfall, keep an eye out for other small waterfalls in the area, which ebb and flow seasonally.
Robert Bass/Google Maps
You can even access the mill ruins and falls after a snow, although you'll want to wear some sturdy boots with plenty of good traction. Still, it's a beautiful sight bathed in a white, icy blanket!
David Rinehart/Google Maps

To look at a map of the Piney Creek Trail System for yourself, check out this one provided by the WV Explorer Magazine. To get directions to the mill from your current location, use this Google Map link.

Not up for a winter hike? Beckley has plenty of other adventures to offer, including the popular Exhibition Coal Mine.

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The Best Attractions In West Virginia

William Suphan | December 05, 2022

What are the best bucket list attractions in West Virginia?

The best bucket list attractions in West Virginia are:

  • Palace of Gold. Located in Moundsville, this was to be the residence of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who passed before he could live here.
  • Blair Mountain Battlefield. This Logan County historical site is where 10,000 armed coal miners clashed with 3,000 police officers and strikebreakers.
  • The Grave of Devil Anse Hatfield. In a cemetery in Omar, this is the gravesite of the patriarch of the Hatfield clan from the famous feud between the Hatfields and McCoys.
  • Cass Scenic Railroad. This 11-mile railroad is where visitors can take a steam locomotive to see the beautiful scenery of the area.

Learn more about these and more of the best bucket list attractions in West Virginia. 

What are the best road trips in West Virginia to see the state?

The best road trips in West Virginia to see the state include:

  • The Ultimate West Virginia Waterfalls Road Trip. This road trip will take you to the most beautiful waterfalls in West Virginia.
  • The Fall Foliage Road Trip. Take your own driving tour of the multicolored leaves that adorn the state during autumn.
  • The West Virginia Ghost Town Road Trip. See some of the most intriguing ghost towns in West Virginia on this amazing road trip.
  • West Virginia’s Most Picturesque Small Towns Road Trip. See the most quaint and charming small towns all over the state.

Learn all the details about these and more of the best road trips in West Virginia to see the state. 

What are the most beautiful natural attractions in West Virginia?

These are the most beautiful natural attractions in West Virginia:

  • Grandview State Park. Located in Beckley, this park has overlooks with stunning views of New River and the surrounding forests.
  • Cranberry Glades. The bogs in this area resemble those of the Arctic Tundra from 10,000 years ago is an ancient and beautiful ecosystem.
  • Sandstone Falls. A spot that’s very popular with locals, this area is also known as the Great Falls of New River.
  • Summersville Lake. This lake is surrounded by exotic sandstone cliffs and is one of the most scenic places in West Virginia.

Find out more about these and several more of the most beautiful natural attractions in West Virginia. 

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