After exploring waterfalls at Blackwater Falls State Park, my next stop was Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. It was the nation’s 500th national wildlife refuge. Canann Valley is a high-elevation valley with extensive wetlands and a climate more typical in Maine and Canada.
This West Virginia refuge has more than 25 hiking trails across five access areas. On my first visit, I explored Freeland Boardwalk and Idleman’s Run Trail at the Freeland Road/Forest Road 80 access.
Freeland Boardwalk Trail
The low boardwalk is an easy, universally accessible half-mile loop. It wanders through fields, shrubland, balsam firs, bubbling springs, and ponds.
The surrounding mountains make an excellent backdrop as you enjoy your stroll through nature.
Near the far side of the loop, I spooked three white-tailed deer bedded down in the tall grasses. I only caught a glimpse before they bounded away. I thought that was going to be my only sighting, when I turned a corner and there was a young buck nibbling near the boardwalk.
There are 11 spaces in the paved parking lot.
Idleman’s Run Trail
From the boardwalk, I drove up the narrow gravel road and parked at a small pull-off on the left. The moderate 0.6-mile trail treks through the woods and ends farther up Forest Road 80. I took the option to walk the road back, making it a 0.9-mile loop.
The path climbs uphill along Idleman’s Run. While the flow was low, there were tiny cascades. I spied a couple of downy woodpeckers in the trees.
In late October, the leaves were magnificent, creating a golden glow on my hike. I had the whole trail to myself, and it was incredibly peaceful.
Seasons provide different wildlife sighting opportunities. With all the trails and changing landscapes, I will be back and highly recommend checking it out.