TORCH TRAIL REVIEW #022 | RITCHIE MINES (WEST VIRGINIA)
Looking for a hidden gem deep in the Appalachian backcountry? The Ritchie Mines Trail winds through the 6,700-acre Ritchie Mines Wildlife Area in West Virginia, a scenic 5.4-mile route through reclaimed mining land with a navigation challenge hiding behind its easygoing reputation.
Trail Overview
How difficult is the Ritchie Mines Trail? Ritchie Mines is an easy to moderate-difficulty route that's fairly simple in terms of terrain, but don't let that fool you. The test here isn't the obstacles, it's staying on course. Heavy trail braiding throughout the area means GPS apps don't always line up with what's actually on the ground, and every side-track has a way of leading right back to the creek.
What Happened at Ritchie Mines?
An unfortunate mining disaster. Ritchie Mines runs through a real piece of Appalachian history. Discovered in the 1850s, the mine's namesake grahamite (a natural asphalt material) was a booming industry, until a series of explosions in the 1870s brought the operation to an end. Today, the old mining roads are used for hunting access, and now for off-roaders exploring this unique corner of West Virginia.
The Terrain
Wet Clay & Creek Beds: Recent heavy rain and flooding left standing mud puddles throughout the route, with slippery clay and jagged rocks along the creek crossings.
Old Mining & Hunting Roads: The trail follows reclaimed roads, well-worn from decades of hunting access, winding through rugged, scenic countryside.
Heavy Trail Braiding: Numerous side-tracks split off the main route — most lead back to the creek rather than anywhere useful, making careful navigation essential.
Choose Your Own Adventure, Carefully
Is Ritchie Mines Trail hard to navigate? Yes, navigation is the trail's challenge, even though the terrain itself is manageable. Ritchie Mines has a "choose your own adventure" feel, with two well-worn trails and plenty of side-tracks to explore. But the trail's beauty can be distracting. It's easy to get pulled off course without immediately noticing the GPS discrepancy is throwing you off.
2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Off-Road Review
Scouting Ritchie Mines with the crew from @JourneyBeyondOverland in a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon on 37-inch tires showed that this trail rewards patience and navigation skill as much as technical capability. The Gladiator's high clearance and 37s made light work of the wet clay and creek-bed rocks, even with recent flooding leaving standing water and mud throughout the route.
Tips From the Scout
Don't Trust the GPS Blindly: The winding and crisscrossing trails means navigation apps can be misaligned with the actual terrain.
High Clearance Is Mandatory: Leave the sedans and low-clearance rigs at home.
Air Down: Lower tire pressure helps with traction over the clay and creek beds.
Check the Weather: Heavier rainfall would make the clay sections significantly more challenging.
What Rig Do You Need for Ritchie Mines?
Do you need a lifted 4x4 for Ritchie Mines? Not necessarily, this isn't a technically demanding trail.
High Clearance Required: Low-clearance vehicles, including AWD sedans and crossover soft-roaders, aren't suited for this route.
Good All-Terrain Tires: Traction through wet clay and creek crossings matters more here than overall tire size.
Solid Navigation Skills: A GPS app alone isn't enough.
Summary Stats
Location: Ritchie Mines Wildlife Area, West Virginia (6,700 acres)
Distance: 5.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate (easy terrain, challenging navigation)
Terrain: Wet clay, creek beds, reclaimed mining and hunting roads, heavy trail braiding
Historical Note: Site of a 19th-century grahamite (natural asphalt) mine, closed after a series of explosions in the 1870s
Recommended Setup: High-clearance 4x4, good all-terrain tires, and reliable navigation skills
The Verdict
Ritchie Mines is a scenic Appalachian gem with more going on than its "moderate" rating suggests, not because of tough obstacles, but because of a real history and a trail that demands your attention every mile.
A huge thank you to @JourneyBeyondOverland for charting this route! Check out their YouTube channel for more off-road adventures and builds for their Jeep Gladiator.
Some trails test your rig. This one tests your navigation skills just as much. Are you ready for Ritchie Mines?
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What trails are you taking on next? Drop your favorite route in the comments and tag us @torchoffroad - we're always looking for new sites to feature! -TORCH
