Laurel Run Trail

Laurel Run Trail is a 17-mile point-to-point hike in the Laurel Fork South Wilderness, part of the Greenbrier Ranger District of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route crosses wilderness boundaries, so plan on a long day in the backcountry. The trail starts at about 3,400 feet and climbs to a high point of 3,788 feet, with an elevation gain of 805 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 3.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 26 percent. That makes the trail a hard hike, and the climb is one way rather than round trip. September is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 72°F and lows near 47°F, with fewer wet days than in spring or fall. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Several other hikes lie within a couple of miles, including Camp Five Run, County Line Trail and Lynn Knob. For an overnight base, Laurel Fork Campground is about 3 miles away.