Grandview Rim Trail

The Grandview Rim Trail is a pleasant trail that meanders through a mature mixed forest of hardwoods, hemlocks, and rhododendron groves on its way from the Main Overlook near the Grandview Visitor Center to Turkey Spur Overlook. The trail provides numerous views of the New River from its cliff-top vantage points. At 1,400 feet above the river, this is the deepest section of the New River Gorge.

Grandview Rim Trail is an in-and-out hike of 1.6 miles each direction. Even though this is generally a wide, flat trail, the Park Service lists this as a moderate trail since it has a few short, moderately steep sections and the 150 steps at the Turkey Spur Viewpoint. You can arrange a shuttle if desired since the Turkey Spur Road roughly parallels the trail. Be forewarned, RVs and similarly sized vehicles are not recommended to take the road since the parking lot and turnaround at Turkey Spur are small. Also, on busy days, it can be crowded. It is easier and more fun to hike both ways.

The trailhead is across the parking lot from the Grandview Visitor Center (37.830558, -81.062911). Follow the signs and the paved path out to the scenic Main Overlook. Retrace your steps several tens of yards and take a right onto the wide, easy-to-follow Grandview Trail. Be careful not to take the rougher Castle Rock Trail that provides an alternative "cliff bottom" hike. This could be an alternative for the return trip. As the Grandview Rim Trail follows the gorge's edge, it will offer numerous opportunities for great rocky outcrop viewpoints. In about 0.6 mile the Castle Rock Trail regains Grandview Rim Trail from the right. At about 1.5 miles, Turkey Spur Overlook comes into view. You can see the viewing platform and finally the small parking lot.

The final approach to Turkey Spur has about 150 steps to get you to the top to enjoy the stunning 360-degree panorama. Because of the location at the end of a long, high “geographic spur," the view at Turkey Spur allows you to see, from the same vantage point, three of the New’s nearly 180-degree bends, giving the impression that there are three different large rivers in the area. With fall colors, the views will be spectacular. Climb the stairs and enjoy the view. Return the way you came.

If desired, when you intercept the Castle Rock Trail on your return, turn left to take it back. Castle Rock Trail is rougher, narrower, and requires some high stepping, but it is not too hard. As it weaves itself along the cliff bottoms, it provides a different perspective on the gorge compared to the cliff-top views on Grandview Trail.