WestVirginia
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in West Virginia lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Mountain State, from the quartzite spires of Seneca Rocks and the amber waterfalls of Blackwater Falls to the magnificent New River Gorge National Park, the remarkable Greenbrier Resort and the extraordinary Gauley River autumn whitewater. This route covers the complete West Virginia experience. The extraordinary Dolly Sods Wilderness and Canaan Valley, the remarkable Harpers Ferry Civil War heritage at the confluence of two rivers, the extraordinary New River Gorge Bridge Walk and whitewater, the magnificent Greenbrier Cold War bunker and the remarkable Cranberry Glades.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Charleston (CRW), Roanoke (ROA) or Dulles (IAD)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout West Virginia
Budget Per Day
Approx $100 to $170 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, hiking, rafting and canyon trails
DAY 1
POTOMAC HIGHLANDS
MORNING
SENECA ROCKS AND THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS
Seneca Rocks is the most extraordinary rock formation in the eastern United States, its extraordinary 900-foot quartzite fin rising vertically from the North Fork South Branch Potomac River giving the most dramatic mountain landscape in West Virginia. The Front Summit Trail at 2.7 miles round trip gives the finest elevated view of the Highlands. The Seneca Caverns nearby contain the most extraordinary cave formations in the Potomac Highlands. Trail free, caverns approx $16. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
BLACKWATER FALLS AND CANAAN VALLEY
Blackwater Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in West Virginia, its extraordinary 57-foot amber cascade of the Blackwater River through a red spruce canyon giving the finest waterfall experience in the Highlands. The Canaan Valley below, the highest elevated valley in the eastern United States at 3,300 feet, gives extraordinary wetland and highland habitat. The Elakala Falls waterfall series along Shays Run is the finest hidden waterfall sequence in the park. Entry free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
DOLLY SODS WILDERNESS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HIGHLAND IN THE APPALACHIANS
Dolly Sods Wilderness is the most extraordinary highland wilderness in the Appalachians, its extraordinary wind-sculpted heath barrens of blueberry, azalea and huckleberry on a plateau above 4,000 feet giving a landscape entirely unlike any other in the eastern United States. The Bear Rocks Preserve at the northern end gives the most extraordinary rocky promontory views of the Highlands. Both entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Spruce Knob summit at 4,863 feet is the finest hidden viewpoint in West Virginia, its extraordinary 360-degree panorama of the Allegheny Mountains from the observation tower accessible by a short paved trail giving the most extraordinary free mountain view in the state. Free. 30 minutes from Seneca Rocks.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Front Porch Restaurant, Seneca Rocks The finest breakfast near Seneca Rocks. Local WV eggs and strong Highlands coffee. | Lunch: Blackwater Brewing Company, Davis The finest craft brewery near Blackwater Falls. Outstanding local WV ingredients. | Dinner: Canaan Valley Resort dining room The finest dinner in the Highlands. Extraordinary local West Virginia produce.
DAY 2
NEW RIVER GORGE
MORNING
NEW RIVER GORGE BRIDGE WALK
The New River Gorge Bridge Walk is the most extraordinary bridge experience in the East, its extraordinary guided walk along the catwalk 876 feet beneath the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere giving the most extraordinary aerial view of the gorge below. The Bridge Walk gives perspectives of the extraordinary sandstone canyon entirely impossible from any trail or overlook. Entry approx $25. Book at bridgewalk.com. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
LONG POINT TRAIL AND GRANDVIEW RIM
The Long Point Trail is the most extraordinary short hike in New River Gorge National Park, its extraordinary 3.2-mile round trip to a sandstone outcrop giving the finest unobstructed view of the New River Gorge Bridge framed by the 1,000-foot sandstone canyon walls. The Grandview Rim Trail gives the finest views of the extraordinary New River meanders from the canyon rim. Both free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
NEW RIVER GORGE WHITEWATER RAFTING
The New River through New River Gorge National Park gives the most extraordinary whitewater experience in the eastern United States, its extraordinary Class III to V rapids through a 1,000-foot deep sandstone canyon giving the finest gorge rafting on the East Coast. The Lower New River section gives the most dramatic Class IV and V rapids. ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge run excellent guided trips daily. Approx $60 to $80.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nuttallburg coal mining ruins in New River Gorge National Park are the finest hidden industrial heritage site in WV, their extraordinary preserved conveyor tipple above the New River giving the most extraordinary industrial ruin in any national park. Free. Accessible by a 2-mile round trip trail from the Nuttallburg trailhead.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cathedral Cafe, Fayetteville The most extraordinary breakfast in Fayetteville in a converted church. Local WV eggs. | Lunch: Pies and Pints, Fayetteville The finest pizza in West Virginia. Extraordinary local WV ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: The Station, Fayetteville The finest restaurant in Fayetteville. Extraordinary local West Virginia produce.
DAY 3
HARPERS FERRY
MORNING
HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Harpers Ferry is the most extraordinary Civil War heritage town in West Virginia, its extraordinary lower town at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers being the site of John Brown's extraordinary 1859 raid on the federal armory that accelerated the Civil War. The extraordinary Stone Steps, the Engine House where Brown made his last stand and the view from Jefferson Rock where Thomas Jefferson declared the Potomac-Shenandoah confluence one of the finest in the world are unmissable. Entry approx $20. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
APPALACHIAN TRAIL AT HARPERS FERRY AND MARYLAND HEIGHTS
Harpers Ferry sits exactly on the Appalachian Trail, making it the most extraordinary trail town in the AT's 2,190-mile route from Georgia to Maine. The Maryland Heights trail across the Potomac gives the most extraordinary elevated view of the Harpers Ferry confluence from the Civil War fortifications above. The extraordinary C and O Canal towpath along the Potomac gives the finest flat walking from Harpers Ferry eastward. Both free. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
SHEPHERDSTOWN AND THE EASTERN PANHANDLE
Shepherdstown is the most extraordinary historic small town in West Virginia, its extraordinary brick main street of antique shops, independent restaurants and the remarkable Contemporary American Theater Festival on the Shepherd University campus giving the finest small town experience in the Mountain State. The extraordinary Bavarian Inn above the Potomac gives the finest dining on the river in the Eastern Panhandle. Town free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary John Brown Wax Museum in Harpers Ferry lower town is the finest hidden historic attraction in West Virginia, its extraordinary recreation of the 1859 raid and Brown's trial giving the most extraordinary immersive Civil War heritage experience in the Eastern Panhandle. Entry approx $7.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Anvil Restaurant, Harpers Ferry The finest breakfast near Harpers Ferry. Extraordinary local WV eggs in the historic lower town. | Lunch: Town's Inn, Harpers Ferry Outstanding historic lunch in the most atmospheric spot in Harpers Ferry. Local WV produce. | Dinner: Bavarian Inn, Shepherdstown The finest restaurant on the Potomac. Extraordinary German-inspired local WV cuisine.
DAY 4
THE GREENBRIER VALLEY
MORNING
THE GREENBRIER RESORT AND COLD WAR BUNKER TOUR
The Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs is the most extraordinary historic resort in America and the most extraordinary Cold War heritage site in the eastern United States. The extraordinary secret Congressional bunker built in 1958 beneath the West Virginia Wing of the resort to shelter the entire US Congress in a nuclear attack, its existence kept secret for 35 years, gives the finest Cold War experience in America. The resort itself has operated since 1778. Bunker tour approx $40. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
ORGAN CAVE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CAVE IN WEST VIRGINIA
Organ Cave near Ronceverte is the most extraordinary historic cave in West Virginia, its extraordinary 45-mile cave system containing the remarkable saltpeter hoppers used by Confederate forces to produce gunpowder during the Civil War, the finest collection of cave formations in the Greenbrier Valley and the extraordinary natural pipe organ formation that gives the cave its name. Entry approx $20. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LEWISBURG AND THE GREENBRIER VALLEY ARTS SCENE
Lewisburg is the most extraordinary small city in West Virginia, its extraordinary concentration of independent galleries, the Carnegie Hall arts center and the remarkable General Lewis Inn giving the finest arts and dining scene in the Mountain State. The extraordinary Old Stone Church from 1796, the oldest church in continuous use west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the Lewis Spring give the finest historic town experience in the Greenbrier Valley. Town free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lost World Caverns near Lewisburg is the finest hidden cave in the Greenbrier Valley, its extraordinary single large room containing the War Club stalagmite at 30 feet tall, the largest known stalagmite in West Virginia, and the extraordinary Snowy Chandelier formation. Entry approx $15.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Greenbrier Main Dining Room The most extraordinary breakfast in West Virginia. Extraordinary local Appalachian produce. | Lunch: Sam Sneads Tavern, The Greenbrier Outstanding Greenbrier lunch. Extraordinary local WV cuisine in the finest resort. | Dinner: French Goat, Lewisburg The finest restaurant in Lewisburg. Extraordinary local Greenbrier Valley produce.
DAY 5
CRANBERRY GLADES AND CHARLESTON
MORNING
CRANBERRY GLADES BOTANICAL AREA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY BOG IN THE APPALACHIANS
Cranberry Glades is the most extraordinary botanical area in West Virginia, its extraordinary 750-acre boreal bog at 3,400 feet in the Monongahela National Forest representing the southernmost extensive sphagnum bog in the eastern United States, with carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants, bog rosemary and rare orchids in a landscape more reminiscent of Canada than West Virginia. The 0.5-mile boardwalk gives extraordinary access. Entry free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
GAULEY RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
The Gauley River National Recreation Area gives the most extraordinary autumn whitewater experience in America, its extraordinary Class V Upper Gauley section running exclusively in September and October when the Summersville Dam releases water giving the finest whitewater in the eastern United States. The Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park above the Gauley gives extraordinary Civil War heritage. Rafting approx $80 to $100. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CHARLESTON STATE CAPITOL AND THE KANAWHA VALLEY
The West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston is the most extraordinary state capitol building in the mountain South, its extraordinary gold-plated dome standing 293 feet tall designed by Cass Gilbert in 1932 and the remarkable interior of Italian marble and hand-blown Czechoslovakian crystal chandelier giving the finest capitol building experience in the Appalachians. The Capitol Market nearby is extraordinary. Capitol free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hawk's Nest State Park near Ansted is the finest hidden overlook in New River Gorge, its extraordinary 585-foot aerial tramway above the New River and the remarkable hawk migration viewpoint giving the most extraordinary free raptor watching in West Virginia each September and October. Tram approx $5.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cranberry Mountain Nature Center cafe Outstanding Highlands breakfast near Cranberry Glades. Local WV produce before the bog walk. | Lunch: Picnic at Cranberry Glades Pack lunch from Richwood. The extraordinary bog boardwalk picnic in the finest boreal landscape. | Dinner: 1010 Bridge Road, Charleston The finest restaurant in Charleston. Extraordinary local West Virginia produce and craft cocktails.
Where To Stay
Seneca Rocks and Fayetteville, Nights 1 to 2 Yokum's or ACE Adventure Resort. Approx $80 to $180. Harpers Ferry, Night 3 The Harpers Ferry Hotel or Cliffside Inn. Approx $100 to $200 per night. Greenbrier and Charleston, Nights 4 to 5 The Greenbrier or Marriott Charleston. Approx $120 to $400.
Top Tips
1. The Greenbrier bunker tour is the finest Cold War hidden history experience in the eastern United States.
2. Upper Gauley River in September and October is the finest whitewater in the East. Book rafting ahead.
3. Harpers Ferry lower town at dawn before any tourists arrive is the most extraordinary historic scene in WV.
4. Dolly Sods Wilderness is the finest hidden wilderness in WV. The Bear Rocks preserve is extraordinary.
5. New River Gorge Bridge Walk at bridgewalk.com approx $25. The finest view of the gorge from beneath.
6. Cranberry Glades boardwalk in autumn is the finest boreal bog in the Appalachians. Free and extraordinary.
Total Budget
$100 to $170/day