Blackbird Knob Trail

Blackbird Knob Trail is a long-distance hiking route in Dolly Sods Wilderness (Monongahela National Forest) near Cabins, West Virginia, mapped as Trail #511 (ref TR 511). The route is short enough for an all-day push, but long-distance enough to feel like a proper wilderness outing.

Expect a moderate-to-hard hike in the Dolly Sods wetland-and-bog country: the trail’s hard part is staying upright and on line through muddy, boggy sections. Boardwalk begins near the trailhead, then the route alternates between spruce/forest walking and open high-plateau ground.

The trail starts along boardwalk near the trailhead just north of Red Creek Campground, then works through pine forest and high-elevation meadows. It crosses Alder Run and Red Creek—both requiring rock-hopping in normal conditions—before the route starts tracking along the base of Blackbird Knob.

Hike along the circumference of Blackbird Knob rather than going to the summit itself. The main payoff comes from open, high-plateau viewpoints with big spreads over Canaan Valley and the Dolly Sods region while you stay on the slopes and in-and-out of woodland.

Routes that return via the other side create either an out-and-back or a loop-style itinerary; a common combination links with other Dolly Sods connector trails. Total hike distance is typically listed around 8.9 miles (out-and-back) or about 10.5 miles for a loop variant that often combines Red Creek and Rocky Ridge.

For timing and logistics, the typical completion time is in the 4 to 5.5 hour range, depending on which loop variation you do and how long you spend on crossings and stops. Backpacking requires permits, with the permit system set up with boxes at the trailhead.

More information: Blackbird Knob – Dolly Sods (WV), Blackbird Knob Loop (Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV), Blackbird Knob Hike - Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV