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Gerhard Shelter Hike

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Distance:
9.9 Miles / 15.9 km
Type:
Loop
Difficulty:
Hard
Time to Hike:
4 hours, ~57 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
George Washington National Forest
Town:
Wardensville, West Virginia
Directions:
39.015287, -78.604946
Added:
January 25, 2025
Updated:
April 04, 2025
Copy Trail Link Hiking this trail? Send a friend or family member a link to this trail guide for your own safety. Hike at your own risk (disclaimer)
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1,273'

Total Change
1,547'

Ascent
1,526'

Descent

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Gerhard Shelter Hike

There are some nice views on both sides of Great North Mountain from the ridge just before arriving at Gerhard Shelter. The views of the valley from Vance's Cove can be wonderful on a clear day as well, but the main attraction is the solitude. We have never seen other hikers on this route.

Begin by turning left uphill on the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail passing a closed gate. At this point the trail is a closed forestry road (FS) that slowly climbs the side of the mountain for 0.8 miles before the blue blazed Tuscarora Trail makes a sharp right, and the FS road continues straight. Turn right on the blue blazed trail. If you start going downward on the FS road you missed the right turn.

The blue blazed trail climbs the side of Great North Mountain steeply and makes several switchbacks before reaching the ridge line in another 3.0 miles. Follow the ridge for 1.0 miles and arrive at Gerhard Shelter. The shelter is generally used by through hikers.

Turn right downhill on the white blazed Gerhard Shelter Trail that very steeply descends Great North Mountain. The footing is precarious with loose stone for the majority of the descent. In 0.5 miles pass a side trail on the left that takes you to a spring, and in another 0.2 miles emerge onto a FS road.

Turn right on the unblazed forestry road. The forestry road is normally closed to motorized traffic, unless your hiking during hunting season (bad idea!). At the end of the FS road in 0.8 miles, just past a burn, the unmarked Vance's Cove connector trail will bear right. Follow the trail for 0.5 miles where it merges with the yellow blazed Vance's Cove Trail.

Stay right on the now yellow blazed trail for another 0.2 miles where the Vance's Cove Trail ends and a sign marking the border of WV and VA. Turn right on the yellow blazed Wilson Cove Trail and FS road as it winds through the valley for 2.0 miles and passes a closed gate and small parking area. Continue down to Waites Run FS Road passing a private driveway on your left at the bottom of the hill. Continue to your right on Waites Run FS Road road for another 0.8 miles back to the parking area.

Explore 67 trails near Wardensville, WV
  1. Parking

    39.015287, -78.604946
  2. Main Trailhead

    39.01505, -78.60492
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.

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)
Snakes
Poison Ivy/Oak

Seasons

All

Trip Reports

Trail Guide By:
HikingUpward user profile picture
9.9 miles / 15.9 km

Weather Forecast

In Wardensville, WV

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