Hike #19: Bridge Trail to Fayette Trail (New River Gorge National Park)
Hike #19 took me back to New River Gorge National Park, to another one of my favorite trails: the Bridge Trail to Fayette Trail! There are no splendid vistas or panoramic views on this trail, but what makes it so special is a view of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge that you won’t get anywhere else in NRGNP.
· Fast hike facts:
1. New River Gorge National Park
2. Bridge Trail to Fayette Trail
3. 38.156771610948255, -81.09484999624829
4. 3.6 Miles
5. ~ 2 Hours
This trail is an out and back that takes you down a steep, rocky path, thick with rhododendrons, that eventually winds its way under the New River Gorge Bridge. Looking up at the bridge from the ground when it’s directly above is a perspective that you just can’t get anywhere else; it always makes me feel small in the best way.
Continuing along the Bridge Trail, eventually it connects to the Fayette Trail at a set of wooden stairs. The Fayette Trail will take you to Fayette Station Road, where you can walk downhill less than a quarter of a mile to the Kaymoor Trail trailhead. At this point there is a stunning waterfall and plenty of short and sweet access trails to explore the falls and enjoy lunch before heading back up to the Fayette Trail!
It should also be noted that you can either start this trail by parking at the Fayette Station end of the Kaymoor Trail, or by parking at the Bridge Trail trailhead. I typically start at the Bridge Trail trailhead, but by starting on Fayette Station, you get most of the uphill hiking out of the way in the beginning, rather than having to hike uphill to get back to your vehicle. Either route is good!
I would classify this hike as moderate based on the terrain. The most challenging portion being the steep, rocky descent/ascent between the NRG bridge and the Bridge Trail trailhead. I’ve hiked this trail in the fall and in the summer. Fallen leaves can be as slippery as ice in the autumn, so good footwear and confident footing is important on this section of the trail.
Directions to the Bridge Trail trailhead can be found on All Trails or using the coordinates above!
If you want to find out more about this trail or New River Gorge National Park in general, check out:
https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm
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