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Beacon Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Running trail in Hedgesville, West Virginia · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Beacon Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Beacon Trail
Parking is alongside of the road and is limited to 6-7 cars. The trail takes off from the road and is well marked. The first destination is the Shanghai Beacon fire tower a little over a mile from the trail head.
Favorite hike in the area. The view from the fire tower is incredible. Trail and parking is a little farther west on the road than Google Maps says.
The trail is rocky with patches of moss and wild blueberry. There are also mountain Laurel bushes here and there. It was a steady incline up to the tower which takes 1/2 hr ish with a good paced walk. The best pics at the top of the tower are northward of sleepy creek lake and westward of cacapon.
Hike along the Tuscarora trail to the tower. You might want to push on two more miles downhill, South along the Jeep track, to catch the view at Pee Wee Point.
Trail conditions & character
“Option to hike back out or loop pee wee point, but it is a short drive from Beacon trail parking & Pee Wee trail parking on Hampshire Grade.”
“It was a steady incline up to the tower which takes 1/2 hr ish with a good paced walk.”
“You might want to push on two more miles downhill, South along the Jeep track, to catch the view at Pee Wee Point.”
“The trail was in good condition when I hiked, a bit soft from the recent rain, but not muddy or mucky like other places I’ve hiked within Sleepy Creek.”
Plan your run at Beacon Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
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