About Us

Our Mission

The Heart of the Highlands Trail System connects the non-motorized trail systems of five land management agencies in Tucker County, West Virginia (Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Canaan Valley State Park, Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area, Monongahela National Forest) into a comprehensive, landscape oriented, environmentally sustainable, multiuser trail system that is accessible to the public. 

Ultimately, the Heart of the Highlands Trail System provides access to and from significant regional and national trail systems.

Our HISTORY

Heart of the Highlands Trails System is a non-profit organization working closely with Tucker County public land agencies, private partners, and community stakeholders to connect the trails on these public lands. Early efforts have focused on a Core Loop trail that would connect Canaan Valley to the towns of Davis and Thomas, upgrading existing trails where possible, and adding connecting segments where needed.

Since 2008, HoH has collaborated to build and rehabilitate over 14 miles of contiguous trail, including the Camp 70 and Blackwater View trail bridges, and over 5 miles of connector trails including Splash Dam South, First Energy Connector, and Blackwater View West, and over 6 miles of major upgrades to existing trails including the Allegheny Trail between Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Parks. 

Board of Directors

The HoH Board of Directors continues work to secure critical connections to complete the Core Loop and to meet the goal of creating, maintaining, and promoting a network of outstanding quality, multi-use trails and related amenities to enhance the county’s recreation and economic potential. 

President – Roger Lilly

Vice President – Lisa Sampson

Secretary – Andrea Dalton

Treasurer – Susan Moore

Jonathan Martin

Carol Milam

Jess Tucker

Mike Powell

William Berlin

Britt Lake

Project Administrator – Brian Sarfino

Advisory Board

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge – Robert (Bob) Frank / Matt Boarman

Blackwater Falls State Park – Ben Leedom

Canaan Valley State Park – Don McFarlan

Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area – CJ Bowmar

US Forest Service, Monongahela Forest – Jonathan Wheeler

WV Land Trust – Amy Cimarolli 

The Nature Conservancy – Mike Powell

Tucker County Commission – Michael Rosenau

Our Goals

To provide, protect, preserve, and promote recreational trails and opportunities in Tucker County, West Virginia.

  • Our primary mission is to connect and maintain trails through both private and public lands in order to create a unified and diverse trail network.
  • Trails will be marked consistently and presented on one map for ease of use
  • Trails will allow visitors to safely travel between towns, properties, and visitors services by bike or foot without traveling on roadways

Accomplishments

  • Completed/connected over half HoH’s vision of a 23 mile core loop
  • Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant and Recreational Trails Fund Program (RTP) grants awarded to build the Headwaters Trail

  • Collaborated with the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and The Nature Conservancy to build the Chris Clower Trail, completing another section of HoH’s 23 mile core loop

  • Quarterly meetings with HoH partners; public and private land owners; and local organizations to coordinate trail building and maintenance needs
  • Kiosks, signage, and maps installed on HoH trails and on-going production and distribution of current trail system map
  • Blackwater View Trail connects Beall North through private property across the Blackwater River to Middle Valley Trail
  • Regular trail work days occur late spring through fall with over 500+ hours by volunteers

OUR PARTNERS