5 Scenic Driving Routes in West Virginia

Cranberry Corridor

This 211-mile route through the Mountain Lakes region passes by one of West Virginia’s most famous lakes, prime stargazing sites and a side trek to Glade Creek Grist Mill.

This drive through the Mountain Lakes region of West Virginia covers 211 miles and offers unique opportunities for nature enthusiasts. The byway begins in Summersville and takes a little under five hours to drive. Summersville Lake offers incredible scenery and has become a natural hub for adventurers, with waters that are welcoming whether travelers arrive with a boat, personal watercraft, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. 

The dual Kirkwood Winery & Isaiah Morgan Distillery is located in town, as is Gad Dam Brewing, which offers a small food menu with West Virginia favorites like the pepperoni roll and a hot dog with chili, onions, slaw, mustard and ketchup alongside its list of craft beers. (Try the  flagship honey kolsch.) Events throughout the year include occasional food truck gatherings that offer choices beyond the regular menu, as well as music, bingo, line dancing and yoga. 

Heading east from Summersville, the route follows state Route 39 on the way to Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, a little over an hour’s drive from Summersville. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, Cranberry Glades is the largest area of bogs in the state. A boardwalk guides visitors to see rare botanical ecosystems that support two species of carnivorous plants.

Continue east on state Route 39 to U.S. Highway 219 and head north to Marlinton to visit Watoga State Park. With over 10,000 acres to explore, the state park is West Virginia’s largest and is home to Watoga Lake, as well as an on-site nature center and museum. It’s also designated as a Dark Sky Park, a distinction that the International Dark-Sky Association awards to the best stargazing sites around the globe. The park holds Dark Sky Parties during warmer months, where visitors can take in a night sky far away from the light pollution that spoils stargazing in more populated areas. Local astronomers are on hand to answer questions and assist with using the telescopes that have been set up for the public. Visitors frequently bring chairs and blankets and make a night of it.

Next, travel south to Lewisburg, where the route heads west on Interstate 64 and back north toward Summersville on U.S. Highway 60 before returning to state Route 39 for the final stretch of the drive. It’s worth making a side trip off the established route to visit the picturesque Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park. The historic mill still grinds corn into cornmeal, which is available for purchase in the gift shop.  

WHEN YOU GO
For more information about sites along the Cranberry Corridor, visit wvtourism.com/cranberry-corridor.

Seneca Skyway 
This 300-mile route passes through “America’s Coolest Small Town,” offers a chance to visit Blackwater Falls State Park and wraps up at a famous resort with a not-so-secret history. 

The Seneca Skyway travels U.S. Highways 219 and 33 and state Routes 32 and 92 deep into the Potomac Highlands on a roughly 6-hour drive that explores over 300 miles of mountain views and forested hills filled with rich history and opportunities for outdoor recreation. 

Begin in Lewisburg, dubbed “America’s Coolest Small Town,” and stop by Carnegie Hall. Financed by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie in 1902, it is one of four Carnegie Halls that is still in continuous use as a performance venue. (Its Ivy Terrace Series hosts free concerts on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month throughout the summer.)

Lewisburg is also home to the General Lewis Inn, a historic boutique hotel that has been in continuous business since 1929. Visit the Thistle Lounge for a cocktail before enjoying locally inspired Southern dishes at The Dining Room within the inn. 

At the far end of the loop, travelers can make a stop at Blackwater Falls State Park in the town of Davis and grab lunch at The Smokehouse. Located within the park, the restaurant offers both great fare and views of Blackwater Canyon. Elakala Falls sits beside Blackwater Lodge and is perfect for anyone making a quick stop. Those with more time can enjoy approximately 20 miles of hiking trails and visits to other waterfalls in the park.  

Thirty-two miles south on state Route 32 and then U.S. Highway 33, travelers arrive at Seneca Rocks, a West Virginia gem with rock formations that rise nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River. After hiking, enjoy one of Yokum’s Grill’s famous hot dogs. The landmark restaurant’s West Virginia-style hot dog is topped with homemade chili, chopped onions, mustard, ketchup and slaw, and the family-owned spot has outdoor seating with stunning mountain views.  

Continuing along the loop, the road becomes state Route 92 and passes through Green Bank before arriving in White Sulphur Springs, not far from the starting point of Lewisburg. Here, the world-famous Greenbrier Resort houses a formerly secret fallout shelter from the Cold War era that was devised to house Congress in the event of a national calamity. The bunker remained a secret for 30 years until its existence was made public in 1992. Tours are offered multiple times a day, and it is one of the property’s most popular attractions.

WHEN YOU GO
For more information about sites along the Seneca Skyway, visit wvtourism.com/seneca-skyway.

Capitol Circle
This circular route runs 200 miles through the Metro Valley, allowing for stops at a historic downtown market, our nation’s newest national park and an exhibition coal mine museum. 

Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, offers a city full of history. Kick off this 200-mile, nearly 6-hour loop through the Metro Valley at the locally loved Capitol Market, a year-round indoor and outdoor farmers market set in a former railroad depot warehouse. Special events are regularly scheduled, such as the “Let’s Get Cooking” series run by James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Smith, who owns 1010 Bridge in Charleston. (He is West Virginia’s first-ever James Beard Award winner.) Those who attend Smith’s series get to sample food that he makes featuring ingredients sold at the market. 

From there, travelers head out of town on Interstate 64 and then U.S. Highway 60, traveling 40 miles to the community of Gauley Bridge, the home of Cathedral Falls and Kanawha Falls. (Those who download the West Virginia Waterfall Trail passport can check in at waterfalls across the state to earn prizes such as a T-shirt, water bottle or limited-edition letterpress prints.) 

After passing through Chimney Corner, the byway follows state Route 16 (although some travelers first visit the 270-acre Hawk’s Nest State Park recreational area off U.S. Highway 60) before arriving in Fayetteville, one of the state’s most famous outdoor destinations. Known for its whitewater rafting, Fayetteville is the home of New River Gorge National Park, the United States’ newest national park. Cathedral Cafe in downtown Fayetteville offers casual fare in a renovated church and makes for a great lunch spot. 

State Route 16 heads out of town before connecting with U.S. Highway 19 for a roughly 30-minute drive to the town of Beckley, where travelers can stop off to visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. The experience shares West Virginia’s deep ties to coal production, offering visitors tours through a mine by way of a train ride. Veteran miners are the tour guides and educate visitors about the importance of coal mining in America and provide a glimpse of what it was like to work in the mines. There is also a small coal museum and a re-created coal camp on-site. 

From there, the route heads out of town along state Route 97 on to Pineville, which is known for Castle Rock, a 165-foot sandstone cliff popular for climbing and great photo opportunities. The byway route then follows state Route 10 and uses parts of state Route 73 and U.S. Highway 119, before connecting with Interstate 64 and heading back to Charleston.

WHEN YOU GO
For more information about sites along the Capitol Circle, visit wvtourism.com/capitol-circle.

This 194-mile loop begins at a landmark regional artist market and includes stops at inviting small towns, beautiful state parks and a well-known West Virginia overlook. 

Charming small towns and a chance to explore the Hatfield-McCoy Trails are highlights of this scenic 194-mile loop, which takes a little over five hours to drive and promises breathtaking views and plenty of photo opportunities.

Start your trip at the Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley. Since 1996, the destination has been showcasing the work of regional artists and artisans in mediums ranging from woodworking and pottery to paintings and hand-blown glass. Visitors can explore working studios featuring glassblowing demonstrations by resident artist John DesMeueles. They can also enjoy watching other types of works being created live by visiting artists on the weekends. The on-site restaurant offers a menu of Appalachian-inspired cuisine such as rainbow trout, a fried green tomato sandwich and chicken pot pie. 

From there, the route follows U.S. Highway 19 south through Princeton, a small town known for its charm and downtown revitalization efforts. Visit the Mercer Street Grassroots District to explore local shops and grab a bite to eat. Be sure to stop at the Princeton Railroad Museum, located where the original Virginian Railway train station existed. Exhibits, artifacts, artwork and books on display teach museum visitors how the railroad industry laid the architecture for southern West Virginia to thrive. 

Next, keep heading south to Bluefield for an amazing opportunity to snap a photo on the Almost Heaven Swing located at the East River Mountain Scenic Overlook right outside of Bluefield. The West Virginia Department of Tourism installed handmade wooden swings at scenic spots across the state to help visitors capture memorable photos during their travels. The East River Mountain Overlook is directly along the road and offers remarkable views of the rolling mountains. The byway follows different U.S. and state routes as it winds its way back north, where travelers can make stops at Pinnacle Rock State Park, a 396-acre, day-use park in Bramwell known for its namesake stone outcropping. 

Near the town of Saulsville, there is an opportunity to make a side trip to Twin Falls Resort State Park, a perfect home base for exploring the Hatfield-McCoy Trails’ more than 25 miles of hiking and biking routes. Twin Falls Resort State Park offers lodging tucked away on the mountaintop, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are served year-round at the Twin Falls Restaurant. For waterfall seekers, both the Marsh Fork and Black Fork Falls can be viewed from the state park’s 1-mile Falls Trail loop. 

WHEN YOU GO
For more information about sites along the Heritage Highway, visit wvtourism.com/heritage-highway.

Birdeye Bend
This 174-mile route in northern West Virginia offers visits to a popular college town, its only botanical garden and some of the state’s most beloved breweries.

Explore the northern West Virginia towns of Morgantown, Elkins and Clarksburg along this 174-mile-route that takes nearly four-and-a-half hours to drive. The trip begins in Morgantown, home of West Virginia University, a well-known college town that sits along the Monongahela River and is filled with shops, breweries and local restaurants such as Table 9 (Morgantown’s first gastropub) and Bourbon Prime, which offers a casual dinner menu with dishes such as brisket sliders and a pepperoni roll alongside its impressive selection of bourbons

Nearby, Coopers Rock State Forest is popular among residents and tourists alike for its dramatic views of the Cheat River Gorge from the Coopers Rock Overlook. A short drive down the road, travelers can explore the Mountain State’s only botanical garden, an oasis for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts that celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025. Guided walks are offered throughout the year and cover topics ranging from wildflowers and trees to insects and amphibians. Groups are led by a guide for a richer experience that informs travelers about the history of the area. There are multiple gardens and habitats to check out, and travelers can stop by the visitor center to ask what’s blooming. 

A slight detour from the established route near Kingwood offers the chance to check out Cathedral State Park, a great spot to grab photos of the towering virgin hemlocks, ferns and wildflowers that flourish during the summertime. 

State Route 72 continues from there to Parsons, which is home to the beloved beer-makers Mountain State Brewing Co. and Stumptown Ales, both of which distribute throughout the state and can be found on tap in a variety of local restaurants. Take a quick stop off the route along this stretch of U.S. Highway 250 to visit Molly’s Hand Dipped Ice Cream in downtown Philippi. The local favorite offers weekly rotating flavors and is located near other downtown restaurants and shops. 

After that, travelers can head north along U.S. Highway 20 to Fairmount and check out another Waterfall Trail Passport destination, Valley Falls, which is located within Valley Falls State Park. While in the area, stop by Muriale’s Italian Kitchen, a local favorite since 1969 that serves authentic southern Italian dishes. Popular menu items include the meatball casserole, Taste of Italy (a tasting of ravioli, lasagna, rigatoni and meatballs) and the restaurant’s famous Aunt Mary’s Meat Lasagna, which is still made using the original recipe from 1969. 

WHEN YOU GO
For more information about sites along the Birdeye Bend, visit wvtourism.com/birdeye-bend.