West Virginia’s North Fork Mountain is iconic, dry and home to rare plants and long views
Rocks abound along the southern end of the North Fork Mountain Trail. The trail lies within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. It is home to rare ecosystems, too. (Bob Downing/AkronBeacon Journal)
The easiest way to access the 23.8-mile-long North Fork Mountain Trail is to access the trail at the gap on U.S. 33 between Judy Gap and Franklin. It eliminates a steep climb. The trail is generally acknowledges as one of the best in the East. (Bob Downing/AkronBeacon Journal)
The views from West Virginia's North Fork Mountain are pretty impresive. You are hiking at elevations from 1,300 to 3,800 feet along a ridge in eastern West Virginia. The trail is 23.8 miles long. (Bob Downing/AkronBeacon Journal)
Pretty Germany Valley lies just west of North Fork Mountain. The ridgetop trail is to the right in photo. (Bob Downing/AkronBeacon Journal)
The North Fork Mountain Trail is surrounded by lands acquired by the Nature Conservancy to preserve rare ecosystems. (Bob Downing/AkronBeacon Journal)
