West Ridge Loop

The West Ridge Loop falls within Abram Hewitt State Forest and is on the north end of Bearfort Mountain. Parking is a little difficult to find. It is across from a marina along a road that looks like a driveway for boat storage. Pull up the road and hiker parking is all along the left side up to the trailhead.From the trailhead, follow the State Line trail (blue markers) for 1.5 miles where it ends on the Appalachian Trail (AT) (white markers). Turn left on the AT and follow for .3 miles. The Ernest Walter Trail will start on the left (yellow markers). Stay on the Ernest Walter trail for .6 miles. The West Ridge Trail (pink markers) will begin straight as the Ernest Walter Trail turns left.There is some good views along the West Ridge Trail. Follow this for 1.7 miles where the trail will end on the Bearfort Ridge Loop Trail (green markers). Turn left on the Bearfort Ridge Loop Trail and follow for 1.5 miles when the trail shares the same path as the Ernest Walter trail. In another .5 miles you will reach Surprise Lake. The Ernest Walter trail continues another .5 miles north where it ends on the State Line trail. This section of the Ernest Walter trail offers great views of Greenwood lake and is a common hike as an out and back to the view point.Turn right on the State Line trail and it's a little less than a mile back to the trailhead.