Scenic Drives Through Almost Heaven
Photo Credit: West Virginia Tourism Office
Sightsee from the comfort of your car with these six scenic drives through the mountains of West Virginia.
Historic National Road (15.7 miles)
Travel back in time without ever stepping out of your vehicle. The Historic National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was the nation’s first federally funded interstate highway. The 620-mile (1000-km) road opened the nation to the west and became a corridor for the movement of goods and people. The road spans East to West, from Cumberland, Maryland all the way to Vandalia, Illinois and includes a section in Wheeling, West Virginia.
One of the key highlights on this historic thoroughfare is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge(link is external). This iconic structure links the main channel of the Ohio River and was once the largest suspension bridge in the world from 1849 until 1851.
Highland Scenic Byway (43 miles)
Navigate through a wild and timbered portion of the Monongahela National Forest(link is external) on the Highland Scenic Byway(link is external). Hardwood forests cover rolling, mountainous terrain capped by dark spruce at high elevations. Traverse a narrow and steep-walled valley with views of clear mountain streams. This designated National Scenic Byway extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton, WV.
Sights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area(link is external), Summit Lake, and Falls of Hills Creek. The USDA Forest Service(link is external) have created an audio tour(link is external) to guide visitors through these iconic landscapes.
Little Kanawha Parkway (77 miles)
Skip the highway and take the scenic route. Running parallel to the Little Kanawha River along State Route 5, this scenic drive traverses from Mineral Wells to Flatwoods. The Little Kanawha Parkway(link is external) takes travelers through rustic farmlands and quaint rural towns. Allow 2-3 hours to navigate this byway.
Coal Heritage Trail (98 miles)
Wind through mountains and valleys of Southern West Virginia(link is external) showcasing America’s robust industrial heritage. The Coal Heritage Trail(link is external) travels through more than 13 counties and showcases the land where thousands of hard-working miners labored to produce the coal which powered modern America. The Trail is part of the National Coal Heritage Area and begins on Route 52 in Bluefield(link is external) to Welch, then follows Route 16 towards Ansted.
Washington Heritage Trail (136 miles)
Follow the footsteps of George Washington on the Washington Heritage Trail(link is external), and discover the natural and cultural history along 136 miles of the scenic Eastern Panhandle(link is external). See 18th century towns, 19th century industrial sites, Washington family homes, springs, rivers and scenic mountain ranges on the drive.
Be sure to plan out a few self-guided tours(link is external) along the way. The Morgan County Driving Tour is an 80-mile segment of the trail that is centered around Berkeley Springs(link is external) and continues on to the town of Paw Paw.
Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike (180 miles)
The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike(link is external) is a designated National Scenic Byway. It spans from the upper Shenandoah Valley in Staunton, Virginia to the Ohio River Valley in Parkersburg(link is external), West Virginia. This historical turnpike served as the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley.
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