Mountain Highlands of West Virginia

West Virginia Mountain Highlands

Area InformationThe Regions of the Mountain Highlands

Big Mountain Country
Known for its "big mountain" vistas from the state's second highest peaks, Pocahontas County is also the birthplace of eight rivers. It is home to the premier four-season destination resort, Snowshoe Mountain, the West Virginia Millennium Legacy Trail, the 75-mile Greenbrier River Trail (great for family hiking/biking), Cass Scenic Railroad, and Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad.

Tygart Valley
The Tygart River gains size on its way from the mountains of Big Mountain Country and greets Elkins, the historic county seat of Randloph County and home to Davis & Elkins College. Known as one of the "28th Best Small Arts Town in America," downtown Elkins hosts a potpourri of shoppes. Strategically located between Snowshoe and Canaan Valley resort areas, Elkins is the "hub" for services that cater to a multi-county region.

Canaan Valley
The highest valley east of the Mississippi sits at the top of a mountain chain that feeds three major waterways that converge in Parsons, the county seat of Tucker County. It is home to two model state parks, one championship golf course, two ski areas -- Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Four Season Resort -- and the nation's 500th wildlife refuge. The historic towns of Davis and Thomas are nearby.

Seneca Rocks
Nine hundred feet of Tuscarora sandstone lays vigil over a landscape of agricultural valleys, fish-filled rivers and outrageous outcroppings that jut from the surrounding mountaintops. Rock climbing and trout fishing take outdoor presedence. Two major caverns open year round. Franklin, the historic county seat of Pendleton, offers friendly, small-town services and quaint B&B lodging.

South Branch Valley (south)
The historic towns of Petersburg and Moorefield of Grant and Hardy counties add color to the land of the South Branch of the Potomac. This is the place where George Washington explored and slept. The wide agricultural South Branch Valley are accented by historic mansions and farms. Home of Lost River state park and southern entrance to the "Trough."

South Branch Valley (north)
Flying eagles, vintage passenger trains, Civil War history and fruit orchards characterize the northern tier of the South Branch. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad makes summer excursions along the South Branch River, through "The Trough," home of the American Bald Eagle. Apple orchards and vineyards grace the mountain sides east of Romney, Hampshire County seat.

|| Gatewau Areas to the Highlands ||

	Big Mountain Country Known for its "big mountain" vistas from the state's second highest peaks, Pocahontas County is also the birthplace of eight rivers. It is home to the premier four-season destination resort, Snowshoe Mountain, the West Virginia Millennium Legacy Trail, the 75-mile Greenbrier River Trail (great for family hiking/biking), Cass Scenic Railroad, and Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
	Tygart Valley The Tygart River gains size on its way from the mountains of Big Mountain Country and greets Elkins, the historic county seat of Randloph County and home to Davis & Elkins College. Known as one of the "28th Best Small Arts Town in America," downtown Elkins hosts a potpourri of shoppes. Strategically located between Snowshoe and Canaan Valley resort areas, Elkins is the "hub" for services that cater to a multi-county region.
	Canaan Valley The highest valley east of the Mississippi sits at the top of a mountain chain that feeds three major waterways that converge in Parsons, the county seat of Tucker County. It is home to two model state parks, one championship golf course, two ski areas -- Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Four Season Resort -- and the nation's 500th wildlife refuge. The historic towns of Davis and Thomas are nearby.
	Seneca Rocks Nine hundred feet of Tuscarora sandstone lays vigil over a landscape of agricultural valleys, fish-filled rivers and outrageous outcroppings that jut from the surrounding mountaintops. Rock climbing and trout fishing take outdoor presedence. Two major caverns open year round. Franklin, the historic county seat of Pendleton, offers friendly, small-town services and quaint B&B lodging.
	South Branch Valley (south) The historic towns of Petersburg and Moorefield of Grant and Hardy counties add color to the land of the South Branch of the Potomac. This is the place where George Washington explored and slept. The wide agricultural South Branch Valley are accented by historic mansions and farms. Home of Lost River state park and southern entrance to the "Trough."
	South Branch Valley (north) Flying eagles, vintage passenger trains, Civil War history and fruit orchards characterize the northern tier of the South Branch. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad makes summer excursions along the South Branch River, through "The Trough," home of the American Bald Eagle. Apple orchards and vineyards grace the mountain sides east of Romney, Hampshire County seat.