The best walks and hikes around Wheeling

Yes, many trails in the Wheeling area are dog-friendly, provided your dog is on a leash. The extensive Wheeling Heritage Trail System offers miles of paved paths perfect for a walk with your canine companion. For a more natural setting, the trails at Oglebay Park are also a great option. Always remember to clean up after your pet.

Oglebay Park is your best destination for waterfall hikes. The Driehorst Trail is particularly known for following a stream and passing by several small waterfalls, offering a scenic and peaceful experience. You can also find Oglebay Falls, a well-known local spot, conveniently located within the park.

Wheeling has excellent options for easy, family-friendly outings. The paved paths at Oglebay Park, like the Arboretum Trails, are smooth and suitable for all ages and strollers. The Wheeling Heritage Trail System is another fantastic choice, offering over 18 miles of flat, paved trails along the river and through wooded corridors.

Yes, you can find several loop trails, especially within the area's parks. Oglebay Park features multiple unpaved hiking trails that loop through its forests, allowing you to return to your starting point without backtracking. For a paved option, the Lake Arlington loop from Wheeling Township provides a straightforward and scenic walk around the water.

The trails around Wheeling are highly regarded by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the variety, from the accessible, paved riverfront paths of the Heritage Trail System to the more rustic and natural woodland trails found in Oglebay Park. The blend of urban and natural scenery is a frequently mentioned highlight.

Both are part of the Wheeling Heritage Trail System, but they offer different experiences. The Ohio River Trail runs along the riverfront, providing open, scenic views of the water and the city's industrial heritage. The Wheeling Creek Trail branches off and heads into a more secluded, wooded corridor, offering a quieter and more natural-feeling escape from the city.

Yes, Wheeling's trails are rich with history. The Wheeling Creek Trail features the historic Hempfield Viaduct and the Hempfield Tunnel, which dates back to 1904. Within Oglebay Park, you can walk the Thoreau Trail, which offers a serene woodland experience, and other paths originally created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Parking is available at several points along the trail system. A popular and central access point with ample parking is at Heritage Port in downtown Wheeling. You can also find parking for the Wheeling Creek Trail section near Tunnel Green, which provides easy access to the historic Hempfield Tunnel.

While many trails are easy to moderate, you can find more challenging terrain. In Oglebay Park, some of the unpaved trails feature steeper inclines and rolling hills. For a dedicated challenge, Grand Vue Park in nearby Moundsville has a half-mile 'Green Trail' known for its rough, narrow, and rocky terrain.

The views are quite diverse. The Ohio River Trail section of the Heritage Trail System offers expansive riverfront vistas. For more intimate natural scenery, the trails within Oglebay Park wind through beautiful forests, past streams, and alongside lakes. The Wheeling Creek Trail provides a unique perspective as you cross high above the creek on the Hempfield Viaduct.

Absolutely. Oglebay Park caters to all skill levels. It has 4.5 miles of paved walking trails, such as the Susan Wheeler Walking Trails, which are perfect for beginners. For those ready for a slightly more rustic experience, the park also offers well-maintained unpaved trails with gentle terrain.

For a substantial long-distance hike, the Des Plaines River Trail to Cahokia Flatwoods offers a nearly 12-mile journey. Additionally, the Wheeling Heritage Trail System provides over 18 miles of continuous paved trail, and you can extend your journey by connecting to the Brooke Pioneer Trail from the Ohio River Trail section.