The Loop Trail at the Cranesville Swamp Natural Area in Terra Alta, West Virginia is an easy 0.4 mile hike that leads into the wetlands of the park with awesome views surrounding you. This is likely one of the best trails in the park since the trail lies within a large valley, so you get views of the hills around you, but you also get a variety of plant life too.
The trail is fairly unique in that half of it is a boardwalk that runs above the wetland and half runs along the dirt outside of the wetland area. Back on the dirt portion of the trail, you'll pass through a grove of coniferous trees before heading back into the deciduous forest.
In order to get to this trail you need to hike in on the Blue Trail, Orange Trail, or White Trail (not mapped on MyHikes yet).
Note mud and water conditions: Since the trail passes through wetlands, it can be muddy in certain areas. Some areas of the boardwalk can be flooded after it rains too - which is usually an inch or to of water. You can get by the flooding with proper footwear or you can walk along the edge of the boardwalk which usually sits flush with the waterline during high water.
Dogs are allowed on this trail.
The trail is fairly unique in that half of it is a boardwalk that runs above the wetland and half runs along the dirt outside of the wetland area. Back on the dirt portion of the trail, you'll pass through a grove of coniferous trees before heading back into the deciduous forest.
In order to get to this trail you need to hike in on the Blue Trail, Orange Trail, or White Trail (not mapped on MyHikes yet).
Note mud and water conditions: Since the trail passes through wetlands, it can be muddy in certain areas. Some areas of the boardwalk can be flooded after it rains too - which is usually an inch or to of water. You can get by the flooding with proper footwear or you can walk along the edge of the boardwalk which usually sits flush with the waterline during high water.
Dogs are allowed on this trail.
