Hiking for Health-Spring Session kicks off on Saturday, March 6th! This active living program was developed by Williamson Health and Wellness Center as a way to encourage people to be more active while enjoying the great outdoors! All of the guided hikes through this program are free. On March 3rd, local media was invited to come along on a preview hike on one of the seven local trails. Williamson Daily News Reporter Jarrid McCormick and I joined Williamson Health and Wellness Center Active Living Director Alexis Batausa and Tug Valley Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director/Hiking Guide Wes Wilson for a hike to Picnic Rock in Williamson, West Virginia.
According to the Hiking for Health brochure, this hike has a difficulty level of easy and is about 2 miles round trip. The hike is easy, but once you make it to the end if you want to go all the way to the top of the rocks, it does get a little more difficult. However, if you go to the top of the rock, you’ll have some amazing views of town and beyond! Picnic Rock is also the former location of the WXCC Coal Country Radio broadcast tower. The remnants of the tower and guard building are still at the top. There’s plenty to see along the way though, including an abandoned mine and other rock formations.
Definitely put this trail on your to-do list! It's a great way to spend time outdoors. You can hike the trails anytime, but when you go along on one of the guided hikes, you'll get some extra information about the area that might be new info to you! Plus, if you're like me, you always forget at least one thing you need for the trip. On this hike, that item for me was water. Thanks to Alexis for being prepared with extra water! Just another plus for hiking with a group. Here's a few photos from the hike. I never get tired of those beautiful mountain views!
Chris Dotson
Williamson Forward Local Coordinator
*For more information about the Hiking for Health program, take a look at our previous article or click on the Healthy in the Hills Facebook page! Need hiking safety tips? Click here! Grab your friends and family and make plans to enjoy these free, guided hikes!
