It's a beautiful drive through the Monongahela National Forest, a highway known as the Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway and also by a shorter route called the Highlands Scenic Highway. Just east of Summersville at Fenwick, Route 39 enters the national forest and begins to climb into the Yew Mountains. Here, these two byways take in an area called Tri-rivers. Byway travelers will soon discover that the name Appalachian Waters refers to the trio of beautiful mountain streams, namely the Gauley, Cherry and Cranberry rivers.
   One of the highlights on this route is the crown jewel of the Monongahela National Forest, the Falls of Hills Creek. Now that the boardwalk has been repaired, this forestland attraction lives up to its reputation. Rated as one of the cleanest streams in West Virginia, Hills Creek drops over a series of three waterfalls. Although a paved pathway leads to the Upper Falls (closest to the parking lot), and is designated as handicapped accessible, the overlook deck looks down toward the top of the falls and is not as appealing as the next two falls. Because the Upper Falls sits back in a boulder strewn ravine, there's no easy way to view it from below. But, the next two waterfalls more than make up for the lack of an Upper Falls view. Unfortunately the path, stairs and boardwalk make this journey impossible for anyone not able to navigate stairs and is rated as a fairly moderate hike. Noted as a three-quarter mile hike to the lower falls, the beauty of the forest, the splendid waterfall views and the scenic beauty of Hills Creek will make this seem like a much shorter hike.

     Area Map
     Brochure and Trail Map