WEST VIRGINIA - To truly experience the "Mountain State," you have to embrace the winding, white-knuckle curves of the Appalachian Mountains. While West Virginia isn't a massive state in terms of square mileage, its rugged terrain means that a 100-mile trip can take twice as long as it would anywhere else.
If you are looking for the ultimate journey, the most extended and most comprehensive road trip in West Virginia is the Route 219 "Mountain Parkway" Expedition.
The Journey: US Route 219
Stretching from the silver bridge at the Maryland border in the north down to the Virginia line in the south, Route 219 spans roughly 240 miles within West Virginia. Because it traverses the highest ridges and deepest valleys of the state, this isn't a high-speed highway—it is a slow-burn adventure through the heart of the Monongahela National Forest.
The Northern Gateway: Thomas and Davis
The trip begins in the high-altitude plateau of Tucker County.
- Thomas: A former coal town turned artist haven. The main street is lined with galleries and the legendary Purple Fiddle, a premier venue for mountain music.
- Blackwater Falls State Park: Just minutes away in Davis, you'll witness the amber-colored waters of one of the most photographed waterfalls in America.
The High Country: Elkins and Snowshoe
Heading south, the road climbs higher into the mountains.
- Elkins: This is a hub for rail history. You can hop on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for a scenic mountain excursion.
- The "Top of the World": A short detour off 219 takes you to Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Even in the summer, the views from the summit (4,848 feet) are unparalleled.
The Scientific and the Wild: Green Bank and Marlinton
As you enter Pocahontas County, the "Birthplace of Rivers," the cell service disappears. This is the National Radio Quiet Zone.
- Green Bank Observatory: Home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. Because it listens to the faint whispers of the universe, all Wi-Fi and cellular signals are restricted here.
- Marlinton: A classic riverside town that serves as the gateway to the Greenbrier River Trail, a 78-mile rail-trail for hikers and bikers.
The Southern Charm: Lewisburg and Beyond
The final leg of the trip brings you into the "Greenbrier Valley," where the mountains soften into rolling limestone hills.
- Lewisburg: Frequently voted "Coolest Small Town in America," it is home to Carnegie Hall (one of only four in the world) and a sophisticated culinary scene.
- Organ Cave: For the adventurous, this National Natural Landmark offers a look at the vast cave systems that snake beneath the West Virginia landscape.
Why This is the "Ultimate" Road Trip
What makes the Route 219 trip the longest and best isn't just the odometer reading—it's the elevation change and cultural shift. You begin in the rugged, damp forests of the north that feel more like Canada, and you end in the historic, refined valleys of the south. Along the way, you pass through some of the most remote territory in the Eastern United States, where the only thing more consistent than the mountain views is the hospitality of the people you meet.
