The Monongahela National Forest’s Otter Creek Wilderness has many trails, mostly for hiking through the scenic landscape of rhododendron, timber and mosses. Biking is prohibited on the trails, but horses are allowed in some areas.

The scenic Green Mountain Trail provides foot access to some of the most remote areas of the Otter Creek Wilderness. Stretching 4 miles, this trail offers stunning views of the remote West Virginia back country and has less traffic than other trails in the region due to its difficult accessibility. The Green Mountain Trail is great for either an overnight backpacking trip or a long and challenging day hike.

Although the trail itself is 4 miles long, there is some considerable hiking to get to the start of the trail. The trail can best be accessed by hiking in from the Big Springs Gap Trail head or either of the trail heads for the Otter Creek Trail.

The Green Mountain Trail climbs steeply at first out of the Otter Creek valley and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It levels out after about 2 miles and follows a high mountain plateau before reaching a junction with the Possession Camp Trail after 2.7 miles. The trail concludes with a 1.3-mile ascent through thickly wooded brush at the top of Green Mountain. The end of the trail is marked by a cairn indicating the start of the Shavers Mountain Trail.

Trail Manager Contact

Monongahela National Forest

200 Sycamore Street
Elkins, West Virginia
304-636-1800
http://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf

Notes

This is a single-track and often steep, once a logging railroad.

Otter Creek Wilderness- MNF http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=12369