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View Full Version : What are some good Virginia/West Virginia Hiking Guidebooks and Maps?



DSettahr
03-04-2013, 15:13
Hopefully I'm posting this in the right place.

I'm looking for some recommendations as to what the best guidebooks are for hiking/backpacking in the Virginia/West Virginia area are. I've been looking at the Falcon guidebooks for VA and WV, but the online reviews indicate that they are somewhat of a mixed bag, with only about 75% positive reviews.

I know that there are plenty of "50 hikes" type books, but I'm looking for something a bit more comprehensive- guides that cover all of the trails in a particular area, rather than limiting themselves to a certain arbitrary number of routes.

Also, are there any suggestions for hiking maps in addition to the National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps? Particularly for the Monongahela National Forest, which doesn't appear to be covered by the NG maps?

Thanks in advance. :)

dzierzak
03-06-2013, 09:52
Saw your request on VFTT but couldn't reply as I'm not a member there. http://www.midatlantichikes.com/ covers PA, MD, VA and WV.
Almost 300 trails listed. Lots of good info.

Mobius
03-06-2013, 10:09
Hiking Upward has a pretty nice list of hikes of western Virginia (not necessarily West Virginia). Nice filterable map too.

http://www.hikingupward.com/maps/

3_dogs
03-06-2013, 16:46
You can find trail maps online for Dolly Sods. Be careful in Dolly Sods. The trails aren't always well marked. It's an easy place to get lost.

Check the Mon Natl Forest site for hiking trails. The Spruce Knob area and Otter Creek are popular and not heavily used.

I have an older edition this book http://www.amazon.com/West-Virginia-Hiking-Trails-2nd/dp/1878239562. It covers most trails in the state. My only problem with it is he sets up hikes as a loop so you don't get a description of the full trail.

Cookerhiker
03-06-2013, 16:53
...Check the Mon Natl Forest site for hiking trails. The Spruce Knob area and Otter Creek are popular and not heavily used...

Here's the link (http://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf).

And here's a link (http://www.blairpub.com/authors/dehart_allen.htm) to the publisher of Alan DeHart's guides which include WV and MNF.

Furlough
03-06-2013, 19:05
For Va from waynesboro and up into Pennsylvania I recommend visting the Potomac Appalachian Trail web site: http://www.patc.net. THey have a great selection of maps and guide books and not just for the appalachian trail.

Karen Wuertz-Schaefer's book Hiking Virginia's National Forests is also a good resource. I also like; Bill and Mary Burnham's Hike Virgina, Johnny Malloy's Day and Overnight Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, as well as his Day and Overnight Hikes in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.

DSettahr
03-08-2013, 02:30
Thanks everyone. Between information posted here, on Reddit, VFTT, and ADKHighPeaks, I think I have a good selection of guidebooks, maps, and online resources. :)