When most people think of caves in West Virginia, it calls to mind guided tours of deep caverns winding through the earth, replete with stalagmites rising from the ground like misshapen pillars and stalagmites hanging from the ceilings like broken chandeliers. But not all caves require a trek underground, and this particular trail in Barbour County combines the beauty of the outdoors with the stone foundations that are generally hidden beneath our feet.

Alum Creek and Cave Trail, a winding loop trail that hugs the banks of the Audra River, follows a 2.7 mile path through Audra State Park.
AllTrails/Jim Reynolds
Along the western edge of the trail, the rushing waters of Alum Creek flow.
AllTrails/Darren Talbert
This part of the trail is a great place to stop and take a dip in the creek. Since the trail is a loop, you can choose to swim in the creek either at the beginning of your hike, or the end.

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Once you are past the creek, the rocky caves and bluffs from which the trail receives its name begin to emerge.
AllTrails/Jim Reynolds
Eventually, you will encounter a wooden path that runs beneath a long stretch of rocky bluffs.
AllTrails/Amanda Landis
The path follows along these cave-like structures, providing hikers with a unique combination of lush woods, rushing creeks and stony outcroppings.
Hiking this trail offers a unique and varied perspective of the natural world.
AllTrails/Bryan Sheme
Only along this particular trail can a hiker experience both the transitory growth of a living forest and the ancient stone of an enduring cave.

This is just one of many places across the mountain state with great scenery and atypical geological features. If you have never been there, it is definitely worth a look. If you have been there, it might be time to see it again.

Do you know of any more unusual trails in West Virginia that are unique in some way? Feel free to make a comment below and let us know.

To learn about another cool trail in West Virginia, check out this wildflower trail in Morgantown.

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