Glade Creek and Kates Falls in New River Gorge National Park, WV

Hike Glade Creek and Kates Falls New River Gorge National Park, WV

Class 1 11.3 miles 800 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jul 26, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Glade Creek and Kates Falls GPX Track

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There are two trailheads for the Glade Creek Trail. The alternative trailhead is located at: 37.7651569, -81.0441913, but I recommend the one associated with this hike (Trailhead button), because the drive is a lot more pretty as it winds next to the New River than the alternative, and you get gain vertical elevation along Glade Creek first and make Kates Falls the destination, rather than to first descend and have to hike back up on the return. The photos below assume you start from the north, at the New River Gorge.

The Glade Creek Trail follows the really gorgeous Glade Creek, ferns and lush foliage lining the trail pretty much the whole way. The trail has a bunch of minor ups and downs as it follows the winding of the creek, and crosses the creek once over a pretty photogenic little footbridge. Along the way, there are multiple small waterfalls and spots to go swimming. Once across the footbridge, the trail widens significantly as it works up to the southern trailhead. I highly recommend taking the short detour to Kates Falls. It's close and the falls are really pretty.

The best stuff of the hike is pretty much over once you hit Kates Falls, but I opted to continue along the Glade Creek Trail to its head (southern trailhead), because I wanted to see the whole trail. I'd say hiking underneath I-64 is pretty cool, but check out the photos below to see if it's worth it to you.

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The Glade Creek Trail hugs Glade Creek for the entirety of the hike, meaning lots of wonderful water sounds and bright green scenery.
The Glade Creek Trail hugs Glade Creek for the entirety of the hike, meaning lots of wonderful water sounds and bright green scenery.
Image 1 from gallery
Nice lighting along the Glade Creek Trail.
Nice lighting along the Glade Creek Trail.
Image 3 from gallery
A random shot of the beautiful flowing water.
A random shot of the beautiful flowing water.
One of many cascades.
One of many cascades.
Another cascade along the Glade Creek Trail.
Another cascade along the Glade Creek Trail.
Glade Creek.
Glade Creek.
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
The footbridge, marking roughly the halfway point of the hike.
The footbridge, marking roughly the halfway point of the hike.
Another shot of the footbridge.
Another shot of the footbridge.
One more shot of the photogenic footbridge.
One more shot of the photogenic footbridge.
Continuing south along the Glade Creek TRail.
Continuing south along the Glade Creek TRail.
The trail is wider as I continued south past the footbridge, but it's still lovely.
The trail is wider as I continued south past the footbridge, but it's still lovely.
Image 15 from gallery
Random shot of the lush mosses and greenery.
Random shot of the lush mosses and greenery.
Image 17 from gallery
Along the detour to Kates Falls.
Along the detour to Kates Falls.
Kates Falls.
Kates Falls.
Kates Falls.
Kates Falls.
Back on the Glade Creek Trail, continuing south past Kates Falls.
Back on the Glade Creek Trail, continuing south past Kates Falls.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
A shot up at Interstate 64 along the Glade Creek Trail.
A shot up at Interstate 64 along the Glade Creek Trail.
Image 25 from gallery
Looking back at I-64 above.
Looking back at I-64 above.
Just before the southern trailhead, a shot looking north.
Just before the southern trailhead, a shot looking north.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!