Getting to Summersville Lake, WV

Directions:
Summersville Lake is located just south of the small burb of Summersville, West Virginia. Directions and route info can be found added to many of the New River Gorge guidebooks (since it is only 20 miles north).
From Fayetteville:
Head North on highway 19, past "The Meadows River", following the signs for summersville. The climbing area is actually a few miles South of town right near the bridge. Parking is located on the North-East side of the bridge for Summersville Lake. (from Fayetteville - just over the bridge and on the right).

Picture taken from the turn around on HWY 19 - looking back at the parking area

Access:
As with any climbing area, it is in your best interest to purchase one of the many guidebooks, or contact the local stores for the most up-to date access information. Once you have found a parking space at summersville the climbs are just a short hike away. Begin by following the logging road up hill (North-East), follow this trail down th back side of the large hill also. Near the bottom the trail will split, as one trail heads up to some trees and the other down to a bridge. Follow the trail with the bridge, just as it curves to the left nad begins uphill again tehre is another trail to the right. Look for the rock cairns (stacked rocks) placed to help hikers/climbers know when there is a change in direction. Once you are on this road follow it straight short distance and then take the road to the right. This trail gets increasingly smaller and turns into a foot trail (plants overhang the trail). A short distance further you will run accross a trail leading down hill to the right (look for cairns again). This trail leads down hill and has a few steps built into it. This takes you to the river bed trail and follow it to the right towards the waterfall (downstream). Here you will find the access ladder next to the waterfall, climb down the ladder to the base and follow the trail a few feet to the firts intersection. There are 2 choices of trail, Tthe trail leading to the right through trees back towards the waterfall will bring you to the perot wall and coliseum areas. The other trail will bring you to the DC Memorial boulder and all teh other areas along the cliff base.

Summersville Main