Byways

Midland Trail

The Midland Trail National Scenic Byway stretches border to border across West Virginia, following U.S. Route 60. Journey through the state’s Metro Valley and state capital in Charleston. Travel through Malden, boyhood home of Booker T. Washington. Then continue through whitewater mountain country and the awe-inspiring scenery of the New River Gorge and Hawks Nest State Park. On the eastern end of this route, encounter colonial Lewisburg, and the oldest golf course in the US at The Greenbrier.

Highland Scenic Byway

Travel through the timbers of the Monongahela National Forest on the Highland Scenic Highway. 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. Sights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake, and Falls of Hills Creek. The USDA Forest Service have created an audio tour to guide you through these iconic landscapes. The takes you through the history, culture, and science behind many of places on this stretch of road that traverses the mountainous terrain of the Allegheny Highlands and Plateau.

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike

The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike is a designated National Scenic Byway. Crucial in the First Campaign of the Civil War, this road now features pristine Civil War sites and charming historic towns. Hike through vast forests; fish in secluded waters; ride a wild mountain railroad. Explore this byway whose woods, small farms and beautiful mountain vistas take you back to an earlier time.

Washington Heritage Trail

Follow the footsteps of George Washington on the Washington Heritage Trail through West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle and a landscape rich in historic, natural, and scenic resources. Mountains and valleys, rivers and springs, vestiges of bygone industries and five picturesque 18th-century towns highlight a rural retreat combined with rich cultural attractions.

Navigate through three counties, five picturesque towns and highlights 40 historic and scenic sites. Be sure to plan out a few self-guided tours along the way. The Morgan County Driving Tour is an 80-mile segment of the trail that is centered around Berkeley Springs and continues on to the town of Paw Paw.

Historic National Road

The Historic National Road, was the nation’s first federally funded interstate highway. It opened the nation to the west and became a corridor for the movement of goods and people. Today, visitors experience a physical timeline, including classic inns, tollhouses, diners, and motels that trace 200 years of American history. Be sure to visit and walk across the Wheeling Suspension Bridge when you explore this historic byway.

Coal Heritage Trail

Wind through mountains and valleys of Southern West Virginia showcasing America’s remarkable industrial heritage. The region commemorates the history and culture of the coal industry and the impact it has had on the physical and social environment. Numerous resources line the corridor, including coal company towns, tipples, railroad structures, and reclaimed mining lands.