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DRIVING WEST VIRGINIA'S ROUTE 60

Whether it's a short drive or vacation, the Midland Trail offers plenty to do

In many ways, Route 60 is the classic West Virginia road. It runs through large cities, big mountains, tiny towns, and small, but interesting, attractions. From big city life in Huntington to the capital, Charleston, and through the incredible Mountain State countryside to the infamousThe Greenbrier, Route 60 is one of West Virginia's best scenic drives.

The Midland Trial Scenic Highway officially starts at the state line (the Ohio River) in Kenova near Huntington, a bustling college city. It proceeds more than 180 miles through more than 40 towns and communities to the Virginia state line. A drive along this picturesque route is worth savoring.

Let's Get Started

The tiny town of Barboursville is situated just a few miles outside of Huntington. Located near the junction of the Mud and Guyandotte Rivers, the Barboursville area was a crossroads for Shawnee Indians. Hunting plentiful game and mining the salt nearby, the Indians (and lots of buffalo) established early and well-used trails. Today, the town's historic walking tour features 35-plus points of interest, including homes, banks, businesses, and historic sites.

Just a few miles further along on Route 60, there’s Milton and the legendary Blenko Glass Visitor Center. The founder of Blenko Glass Company, William J. Blenko, came to America from London in 1922 for one purpose -- to produce handblown glass for use in stained glass windows. Stained glass installations by Blenko Glass have included the Air Force Academy, Grants Tomb, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Washington Cathedral.

Tours at Blenko justifiably are popular. Aside from the visitor's center, there's a museum and an observation area to watch the process. Another Milton attraction, near Blenko Glass, is the Mud River Covered Bridge. Located just off the James River Turnpike at Pumpkin Park, the pretty 112-foot bridge was built in 1876 and no longer is open to vehicular traffic--but is popular with pedestrians.

A Capital City

Route 60 continues toward Charleston and another capital West Virginia city experience. It’s a great place to spend a night or two, with possible highlights including: the West Virginia State Capitol and Capitol Complex; the Cultural Center (including the State Theater, home of Mountain Stage and its popular radio program broadcast); and bustling Capitol Market (a great place to find a tasty West Virginia souvenir). There's also the new West Virginia State Musuem.

Heading out of Charleston on Route 60, a classic section of the Midland Trail begins in earnest as Charleston’s downtown skyline disappears. Stretching 120 curving miles from the capitol all the way to White Sulphur Springs, this part of Midland Trail is a road of West Virginia history that most visitors miss by taking speedier Interstate 64. But those who slow down are richly rewarded.

Just a few miles out of town, Malden is the first Midland Trail stop of interest. This town, originally known as Kanawha Salines thanks to huge salt production, has many claims to fame.

After the Civil War, an adolescent Booker T. Washington, newly-freed from slavery, came to Malden for work in the brines. The wife of an important salt magnate taught him to read and he went on to become an effective spokesman for African Americans, as well as founder of the Tuskegee Institute. A park honoring him stands on the site of his sister's home, where he once lived and often visited.

The road then curves its way along the Kanawha River and the parallel train tracks, with tiny towns and pretty scenery as the backdrop. The names of the communities reveal the influence of early homesteaders, timber, and precious metals on the area: Smithers (an early settler), Cedar Grove, Boomer, and Alloy.

Glen Ferris is a great stop, where the river roars over a high, jagged ledge to form the pretty Kanawha Falls. The town grew up around Colonel Aaron Stockton's tavern, Stockton's Inn. Today, the tavern, registered on the National Register of Historic Places, is the historic Glen Ferris Inn.

Hawks Nest State Park is one of the drive's most interesting stops and a great place to linger for a hike, a meal, the night, and much more. The 838-acre park features incredible views of the New River Gorge, a lodge, a dining room with great food and views, and a seasonal aerial tramway that runs all the way to the marina at the bottom of the gorge. Other possibilities include hiking, swimming, boating, tennis, and shopping for handmade West Virginia crafts.

Route 60 crosses US 19 about six miles down the road. Visitors should fight the urge to head straight across the busy road to get back on peaceful Route 60. There's much to see and do around this intersection.

The first thing one should do is head south on US 19 to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, located near Lansing. Built in 1991, the modern Visitor Center features spectacular views of the New River Gorge inside and outside, as well as an interesting slide show, exhibits, shopping, hiking, and many programs.

The views of the 53-mile-long New River Gorge National River reveal the spectacular nature of this area, formed more than 65 million years ago by advancing glaciers. A trip across the river that once took an hour now takes a minute.

The Visitor Center also has a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Built in 1977, the bridge is 3,030 feet long, making it the second longest single-arch span bridge in the world. It towers 876 feet above the New River and is the highest bridge east of the Mississippi

The area is also a perfect base for whitewater rafting adventures. Along with world-class whitewater trips, the legendary outfitter Class VI Mountain River and others, dining, cabin accommodations, and new canopy tours through the trees await visitors.

On to the Greenbrier

Back on Route 60, the drive isn't nearly as exhilarating as whitewater rafting, but it's still quite interesting. After hours of winding along the Midland Trail and then paralleling I-64 for ten miles, the town of Lewisburg provides a great place to rest for a few hours or days. Ideally situated at the intersection of Route 60 and Route 219, Lewisburg is a perfect country road town.

The final stop on the Midland Trail is perhaps the best. The legendary Greenbrier is one of America's finest resorts and deserves a stay of several days, if at all possible. Long known for healing waters, The Greenbrier (with new West Virginia ownership) still heals weary travelers.

With more than 6,500 acres, 700 luxurious rooms, charming cottages, elegant appointments and service, creative dining, a top-notch spa, world-class golf, tennis, horseback riding, the Culinary Arts Center, the Off-Road Driving School, and much more, the Greenbrier has everything any visitor could want. It's the perfect way to end (or start) another wonderful West Virginia country road drive.