Spruce Knob · WV
Whispering Spruce Trail
A gentle half-mile loop circling the summit of Spruce Knob, at 4,863 feet the highest point in West Virginia; passes a stone observation tower with panoramic views and interpretive signs on the high country.
Live · updated
Today
Skip the trail running plan today.
Today's best: trail running
Conditions
Score by activity
Hiking
Skip the hiking plan today.
Trail running
Skip the trail running plan today.
Dog walking
Thunderstorms in today's forecast — dogs panic and trails become dangerous.
Score breakdown
- − 79°F air — Above trail running's comfort zone (28–78°F)
- − 18 mph wind — Gusty — bring a windbreaker
- − Thunderstorms — Get off exposed ridges before they arrive
- ✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.
Trail facts
- Distance
- 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 26 ft
- Surface
- gravel
- Difficulty
- easy
Trailhead
Coordinates
38.6998, -79.5334 — WV.
Park
Part of Spruce Knob.
Peak nymphal tick activity — check yourself within 2 hours of leaving the trail.
Nearby Trails
Frequently Asked
How long is Whispering Spruce Trail?
Whispering Spruce Trail is a 0.5-mile route with 26 feet of elevation gain — easy — gentle grades, generally suitable for families and beginners with normal fitness. The trail facts panel on this page lists distance, surface, and access tags as they appear in OpenStreetMap.
What's the trail surface like at Whispering Spruce Trail?
Whispering Spruce Trail is crushed gravel or compacted aggregate — drains quickly, stays passable in wet weather. Today's mud rating, derived from recent precipitation and the surface type, is shown in the conditions panel above.
Who manages Whispering Spruce Trail, and where do closure alerts come from?
Whispering Spruce Trail is in Spruce Knob, which is managed by the managing agency. Closure and advisory data on this page comes from the agency. Always confirm against the park's own page before driving — emergency closures can post faster than scrapers refresh.