Discover Appalachia's Outdoors
Access Appalachia connects people to the stories, businesses, and outdoor experiences shaping the Appalachian region.
Twelve Trails Through Appalachia: January at Endless Wall
Author: Ben Isenberg | October 9, 2025
My wife's birthday is in early January, and if she has her pick, she wants to spend it outside, especially hiking. Cold, grey, it doesn't matter. She'd rather be on a trail than anywhere else, and honestly, after all these years, that's still one of my favorite things about her.
Region Spotlight
Twelve Trails Through Appalachia: February at Monday Lick
Author: Ben Isenberg | April 14, 2026
We looked at each other and laughed. Of course it did. The Highland Scenic Highway runs around 4,500 feet — what exactly were we expecting in late February?
Region Spotlight
Trail Lore: The Stories We Carry Into the Woods
Author: Jane Doe | October 8, 2025
Rivers carve the state’s character as much as the mountains.
The Podcast
From trail builders to policy makers, we talk to the people shaping what outdoor life in Appalachia looks like — and what it could become.
Vision Is Not a Hallucination: Matt Ford and the Meadow River Rail Trail
Matt Ford has a line he likes: plans and visions are often confused with hallucinations — until the $3.2 million comes through. At the inaugural WV ...
Non-Profits Directory
Behind every great trail, clean river, and thriving outdoor community is an organization putting in the work. These are the groups protecting the land, supporting the people, and building the infrastructure that makes outdoor life in Appalachia possible. From trail advocacy to watershed conservation to community programming, they’re the reason this place keeps getting better. Meet the nonprofits making Appalachia worth exploring — and find out how you can get involved.
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Upcoming Events
Races, festivals, trail days, and community gatherings — there’s always something worth showing up for in Appalachia. Whether you’re looking to compete, volunteer, explore, or just be around people who love this place as much as you do, the outdoor calendar here stays full. From local trail work parties to regional enduro races to music and culture festivals, these are the events that bring the community together. Find what’s coming up in your corner of the mountains and get out there.
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