Outdoor Adventure
Known for its lush , rugged landscapes and outdoor activities that appeal to both the daring outdoor enthusiast and the novice adventurer , the Potomac Highlands region is taking full advantage of its assets to ensure that visitors keep coming back for more .
“ We have great outdoor recreation with hiking , horseback riding and good fishing and hunting ,” says Michele Moure-Reeves , executive director for the Hardy County Convention & Visitors Bureau ( CVB ). “ One of the things that we ’ re looking at is how to expand those options .”
Working alongside a group called the Lost River Trails Coalition , Hardy County is developing mountain bike trails in Lost River State Park after having received an International Mountain Bike Association grant in spring 2023 . Construction for the project is set to start this fall .
While Hardy County works to build new trails , Tucker County is actively working to connect existing ones .
“ We have a lot of trails , but not all of them connect ,” says Jessica Waldo , executive director for the Tucker County CVB . “ Our local trail club , Heart of the Highlands , has been diligently working on trail connectivity . They should be done by the end of the summer .”
Also in Tucker County , Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center offers guided hikes for folks looking to take a walk off the beaten path with someone who has plenty of experience with the unpredictable terrain . One hike called The Blackbird Knob takes hikers across the stunning Dolly Sods wilderness .
“ Each year , our recreation department does a guided hike series that takes people around the area here in Tucker County ,” says Mark Moody , marketing manager for the resort . “ They learn a lot about the area and a little bit about the culture as well .”
Known for must-see destinations like Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob , Pendleton County is currently in the process of rebranding its marketing as Pendleton Rocks to encompass its numerous rock formations and nearly 300 caves . One bill that was passed last year in the county will allow for more recreational opportunities on private land .
“ We amended the recreational statute to include rock tourism , which includes rappelling , rock climbing , caving and slack lining ,” says Laura Brown , director of the Pendleton County Development Authority and interim director for the Grant County Development Authority .
When discussing outdoor recreation in the Potomac Highlands region , one can ’ t forget Snowshoe Mountain Resort , a popular ski resort in Pocahontas County that is quickly making a name for itself in the mountain biking community .
“ Most people naturally think of skiing and winter sports when they think of Snowshoe , but we continue to draw increasingly more visitors in the non-winter months as well ,” says Shawn Cassell , digital marketing and public relations manager for the resort . “ Mountain biking in particular continues to grow very quickly , and as the lone American venue on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit , Snowshoe is proving that our mountain bike offering here in West Virginia is truly world-class .”
Photo by Elkins-Randolph County Tourism CVB .
Photo by Pendleton County CVB .
Photo by Snowshoe Mountain Resort .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE