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Bear Rocks Trail

The Bear Rocks Trail in Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia, is a moderate 2.2 mile out-and-back hike to the intersection of Dobbin Grade Trail (TR-526) or an easy 4.8 mile out-and-back hike to the intersection of Raven Ridge Trail (TR-521) further west into Dolly Sods.

Along the way you'll find blueberry bushes and excellent scenery of the sods. You'll cross Red Creek, which lies just beyond the intersection of the Dobbin Grade Trail with a few primitive campsites nearby. If you plan to backpack further into the sods, make sure you fill up plenty of water from Red Creek as this is one of the last water sources available heading west.

Once leaving Red Creek, you'll hike up a hill and at the top you get stunning views of Dolly Sods. Hike another 0.8 miles to the intersection of the Raven Ridge Trail (TR-521).

Warning: Dolly Sods was used for military bombing training during WWII and there are still unexploded ordinances in the ground out in the wilderness. Most of these trails and the areas around them have been combed and searched, but not everything has been found. If you find any strange metal objects, especially bomb-shaped, do not tamper with them. Make a note of where you found it and alert the proper authorities. More information can be found at the wilderness trailheads.

Dolly Sods trail map PDF
Explore 45 trails near Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV

Know Before You Go

  • Bear Rocks Trail offers two hike options: a shorter 2.2-mile moderate hike to Dobbin Grade Trail or a longer, easier 4.8-mile hike to Raven Ridge Trail, both out-and-back.
  • The trail features blueberry bushes, scenic views, Red Creek (a key water source), primitive campsites, and panoramic views of Dolly Sods.
  • Be aware of potential unexploded WWII ordnance in the area and avoid tampering with any suspicious metal objects; report them to authorities.
Interactive topographic map for Bear Rocks Trail located in Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
4.8 mi
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
2.4 hrs
Elev. Gain
547'
Rating
4.0
Added
July 30, 2016
Updated
October 25, 2018

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
261'
Ascent
547'
Descent
545'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Camping
Water Source
Biking

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    39.063644, -79.303177
  2. Main Trailhead

    39.063663, -79.303239

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

Summer

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 4.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating.

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2.2 miles / 3.5 km
July 24, 2016
Hiking
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

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