Follow This 4.7-Mile Trail In West Virginia To A Lake, Overlooks, And A Historic Furnace
By Clarisa|Published February 22, 2022
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Clarisa
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Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time.
Have you been looking for more exciting hiking trails in West Virginia lately? There’s nothing like an adventure, and the trail out at Coopers Rock State Forest comes with plenty to see, including the historic furnace. Between the views, the wildlife, and the history, this trail is a great addition to any day outdoors.
Welcome to today's adventure, a hike out at Coopers Rock State Forest. This loop trail is full of more than just pathways, which makes it a bit more special than your average hike.
The rocky trail isn't too hard to follow, but the trail does get a bit tough in some areas. It's rated as a moderate level hike, due to the extra bit of challenge that rocky paths and the 600-foot elevation gain gives hikers.
As for the historic furnace, the Henry Clay Iron Furnace was built here in the mid-1830s, and retired around 1847. Somewhere around 200 people worked here, making over four tons of pig iron every day.
All over the 4.7 miles of trail, the overlooks are by far where most photos are taken. No matter the season and the colors, these views are always stunning.
Also at Coopers Rock, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing and hunting as well as camping and rock climbing. If a simple hike isn't enough for you, there's always something to add to the experience.
Make sure that you never leave anything behind, whether it is trash or food scraps. Keeping our parks as natural as possible is a goal we should all work towards. Happy hiking!
