West Virginia Trail Fest

About the Event

The West Virginia Trail Fest (WVTF) is a family-oriented trail running celebration held in Pocahontas County, the most mountainous region of West Virginia. Scheduled for May 22–23, 2026, the festival utilizes the rugged landscape of the Monongahela National Forest and various State Parks. The event is known for its "Wild, Tough, and Fun" atmosphere, offering everything from a midnight-start ultramarathon to a kid-friendly fun run. Beyond the trails, the weekend includes a local artisan market, live bands, and a fireworks display in Snowshoe Village.

Race Category	Elevation Gain	Start Time	Start Location
Dark Skies 100K	11,500 ft	Sat 12:01 AM	Seneca State Park
Full Moon 50K	6,300 ft	Sat 07:00 AM	Cass Historic Railroad
Stargazer 30K	3,800 ft	Sat 09:00 AM	Shaver's Center
Twilight 5K	650 ft	Sat 06:00 PM	Shaver's Center
Kids Fun Run	Minimal	Sat 09:15 AM	Shaver's Center

The event highlights the unique landmarks of the region, including two of the state's three highest peaks, historic fire towers, and the Green Bank Observatory. All races conclude in Snowshoe Village, which serves as the central hub for the festival's social activities, vendor expo, and awards ceremonies.

Logistics and Participant Information:

-- Course Highlights: The 100K and 50K courses are point-to-point and involve significant vertical climbing, summiting high peaks and passing through multiple state parks.
-- Transportation: Shuttles are provided for the point-to-point races; the 100K bus departs Snowshoe at 10:45 PM Friday, and the 50K bus departs at 5:45 AM Saturday.
-- Cut-off Times: The organizers offer generous cut-offs to accommodate a variety of paces: 20 hours for the 100K, 13 hours for the 50K, and 11 hours for the 30K.
-- Weekend Activities: Beyond racing, the schedule features a family movie night on Friday, a local farmers market and artisan expo on Saturday and Sunday, and a sponsored shake-out run on Sunday morning.
-- Registration Deadline: Online registration through UltraSignup closes on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
-- Spectator Experience: Snowshoe Village offers bands, dining options at The Junction, and fireworks at 9:00 PM on Saturday, making it an ideal spot for family and support crews.

air 10.4 /

water_drop 78.1%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 5.8° / 15.4°

wb_sunny 2.9° / 12.3°

air 10.4 km/h

water_drop 78.1%

About Snowshoe

Learn more about the host city, Snowshoe.

Snowshoe Mountain is a ski resort in West Virginia. Snowshoe Mountain bills itself as an all-year destination, with skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and golf, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities the rest of the year.