Dolly Sods Wilderness

Dolly Sods is weird in the best way. It's a high-altitude plateau at 4,000 feet that looks like the Canadian tundra got dropped into West Virginia. Windswept meadows, stunted trees, sphagnum bogs, and rock outcrops with views for miles. The ecosystem is unique in the East. But here's the catch: trails are poorly marked, and you'll do serious navigation. This is the trip that teaches map-and-compass skills in real conditions. Weather changes fast, and the plateau gets hammered by wind. It's not the hardest terrain physically, but it's mentally challenging. Boys learn to think, plan, and adapt. This is the trip that separates hikers from backpackers.