When you think of West Virginia, most people probably think of the Blueridge Mountains, which are sung about in “Country Roads”, an absolute evergreen. In fact, this mountain range hardly touches the state. Nevertheless, West Virginia is best known as the state of mountains, wide landscapes and not least because of its long and important history in the big picture of the USA. The “Mountain State” is an important part of American history and has not only testimonies of this history to offer visitors, but above all a variety of national parks and impressive natural sights.
West Virginia is the area of the Appalachian Mountains and is shaped by them. The northwesternmost of all southern states not only has a long history to offer, but is also known for its beautiful mountain panoramas, which can actually be reached anywhere in the state. You can make a big distinction between the areas that have been developed for tourism over time and now serve as a tourist attraction for visitors to the state and the partly still untouched landscape that can be found far away from the cities of West Virginia.
In general, life here in the state is closely linked to traditions and people are quite proud of the fact that life in this state turns a little slower. Industrialization is not a big problem and at the same time you have a beautiful nature that perhaps best represents the former America that the first colonists found. At the same time, many millions of visitors find their way to the Mountain State every year to enjoy this nature and to come to rest far away from the big cities and let nature work its magic on them.
To this day, West Virginia is 75% covered by forests, which is another reason why so many Americans but also tourists from overseas come here for an adventure in nature. In addition, there are around 50 state parks around a wide variety of natural sights. If you are looking for a little culture outside of nature, you will find interesting variety in Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, with its unique southern charm.
The Most Important Adventures in the Nature of West Virginia
A good example of the lack of tourist infrastructure and thus the principle of adventure are the Allegheny Mountains. Although there are some paved hiking and cycling trails here, all in all, the mountains are still in their natural state today. Apart from a few small log cabins and villages with shops, you are completely on your own here. Mountain climbing, hiking and mountain biking are among the most popular activities in this part of West Virginia. Hikers will certainly get their money’s worth here with the untouched nature – but should prepare sufficiently for such a hike.
The view from the New River Gorge Bridge reveals the beauty of the West Virginia landscape, especially in the Indian summer. Here you can see the play of colours of the leaves that can be seen down in the valley. Of course, you can descend directly into the valley and go on a hike there as well. However, you should keep in mind that these areas are also rather undeveloped and you can sometimes be on the road for days before you meet the next sign of civilization. Good preparation should always be standard when hiking on your own in West Virginia.
If you like it a bit more infrastructure, you should stop by North Bend State Park. Here they cater to visitors from all over the world and offer not only various facilities for leisure, but also accommodation in all price ranges. With guided tours you can explore the landscape of the state park and in the evening you can exchange ideas with other visitors in a nice restaurant or at the bar about the great nature of West Virginia.
Discover the historic towns of West Virginia
In addition to the impressive nature, West Virginia also has a lot to offer culturally and historically. Whether it’s Charleston, Lewisburg, or Fayetteville, all of these cities have their own stories to tell. In Lewisburg, for example, you will find a variety of historic buildings that survived the Civil War and tell a story. By the way, a trip to Harpers Ferry – a real memorial on the Civil War Path that tells about the Civil War and its history – also fits in with this. The ghost stories of Lewisburg are suitable for young and old visitors and combine historical narratives with a little creepiness.
Charleston is above all the right place to discover the culture of West Virginia from a different side. The hospitality of the southern states is still very important here and in the many restaurants you not only get to see something of the hearty cuisine of the states, but can also learn more about the Civil War and the history of the state in one of the many museums. All in all, West Virginia is the place to be if you want to immerse yourself in the original America and learn more about this special stretch of land.
