Charleston, W.Va. — Feel like getting out and hitting the trail? Well, take a hike!
Saturday is the perfect day to do it. It’s National Trails Day sponsored by the American Hiking Society. West Virginia’s state parks are taking part in the event.
Sissie Summers is with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
“We just encourage people to get outside, enjoy the outdoors!”
Summers stresses you don’t have to be an avid hiker to take advantage of the day. There’s all types of events taking place for beginners to the most advanced trail hikers out there.
Twin Falls State Park is a great place for those with limited mobility. There’s a paved trail you can enjoy.
At North Bend State Park, they’re offering Family Trails Day which is actually a weekend filled with events for all ages.
At Pipestem State Park there’s the Bluestone Turnpike Hike. It’s a 10-mile trek on some of the most beautiful trails in southern West Virginia. You need to sign up for that one.
Then there’s a hike at Cacapon State Park called the Hike Across West Virginia. Summers said the guide makes it sound a little harder than it actually is.
“She likes to do a little tongue in cheek saying you’re hiking across the state when in fact, you are but it’s in the Eastern Panhandle. So it’s a short hike,” explained Summers.
Some people like to hike at their own pace, on their own. But Summers stresses the state’s parks also offer guided tours.
“Having guided hikes led by naturalists or volunteers is sometimes a nice way to go because you might actually accidentally learn something.”
It doesn’t matter how far you walk but rather you get out and take the trek. Make sure you log on to www.wvstateparks.com or pick up a log card on your way out of the park to mark your milestone.
“If you hike a half a mile or if you hike 20 miles, record it. There’s an address to send it to,” stressed
Summers. “After July 1 we’ll send out certificates of accomplishment and we actually have a Trails Day patch that we send out to anyone who participates.”