Hatfield McCoy Trails — Pocahontas County Burnsville Circuit via Cranberry Backcountry
Appalachian mud, rock, and rhododendron — the real deal.
The Cranberry Backcountry and Gauley Mountain country around Pocahontas County, West Virginia, sits where the Monongahela National Forest bleeds into the Hatfield McCoy trail system’s northern edge — and it is nothing like the groomed trail parks further south. This is old-growth-adjacent Appalachian terrain: creek bottoms choked with rhododendron, ridge runs that turn to exposed sandstone ledges, and logging road connectors that have been reclaimed by the forest to the point where they demand real navigation. The Cranberry Glades in the core of this area are a genuine boreal bog ecosystem — rare this far south — accessible via FR 102, which is a legitimate mud trap after rain.
Difficulty here is honest Moderate to Difficult depending on season and recent weather. Spring is prime for wildflowers and green tunnels of rhododendron but the creek crossings can be genuinely dangerous in March and April. Summer and fall are the sweet spots — the ridge roads dry out, the views open up, and camping on the Monongahela dispersed sites is outstanding. A stock 4WD with high clearance handles most of this system; the Cranberry approach roads add mud, roots, and off-camber shelf sections that will expose limited-slip deficiencies fast. Get the Monongahela NF motor vehicle use map before you leave — cell service is gone the moment you drop off any ridge.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4620 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Marlinton, West Virginia |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Monongahela National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Monongahela NF Cranberry Backcountry Hatfield McCoy Trails official site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through most of it, but the rocky ridge sections and creek crossings will put your skid plates to work. Mud-terrain tires and a skid plate setup are strongly advised — all-seasons will get you into trouble in the wet Appalachian clay.
When does this route typically open and close for the season?
June through October is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and rain turns the Cranberry Backcountry into a swamp through May, and early winter snowfall above 4,000 feet can shut things down fast after October — sometimes overnight.
Do I need a permit to run the Cranberry Backcountry section, and is there a fee?
No permit is required for vehicle travel through Monongahela National Forest, and there's no day-use fee. If you're running any Hatfield McCoy designated trail sections, you need a valid HMT permit — check hmtrails.com for current pricing and registration.
What's the hardest part of this circuit and what should I actually expect?
The rocky ridge-top sections near the high point at 4,620 feet are where things get technical — loose shale, embedded rock shelves, and off-camber shelf road in tight rhododendron tunnels. It's not a winch-and-recovery situation for a capable rig, but one bad line on a wet slab will remind you to pay attention.
There's no cell service out here — how do I find water and where can I actually camp?
Dispersed camping is legal throughout the Monongahela National Forest — pull off the route at least 200 feet from water sources and established trails. Creek crossings mean water is available, but filter everything; cattle and feral hog activity is real in these drainages. Download offline maps before you leave Marlinton, because you're on your own once you head in.
Trail track
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