Hawks Nest Dam - Hiking trail near Ansted, West Virginia, United States - Description

An easy hike down a road (most the way) past many "fishing trails" to the lower side of the Hawks Nest Dam. About 2 miles round trip.

The highlight of the trip is the impressive Dam structure (admit it...about any semi-major dam is impressive when it's the only thing between you and a lake's worth of water) and the stones downstream. There are a large number of very large boulders downstream of the dam - - a popular attraction for area rock climbers (rightly called "boulderers" in this case).

It's a "different" hike...mostly on a deserted (no vehicles) graveled road and ending abruptly at the dam. It's an oddly peaceful place and certainly something to see.

A good rainy day / winter hike as most the trip is on unusually solid ground.

P.S. On the below link, you'll have to scroll down to the "third hike". The other two are in the area...so you might want to consider a multi-hike day.

Take Hwy 19 to where HWY 16 crosses in Fayetteville (it crosses 19 many times...this is IN Fayetteville). Go North towards Hwy 60. You will cross a bridge and there will be a small parking area with a LARGE boulder in it on the right. You've found it.

Alternative...from 19 take Hwy 60 towards Ansted. Follow through Ansted until you see Hwy 16, a sharp left. Follow to trailhead on left just before bridge over river. Large stone in parking area.

Alternative 2: Take 60 from Charleston towards Gauley Bridge (S & E). Continue until you see 16 on the right. Follow 16 to a Large boulder in a small parking area on the left before you cross the river.