Enjoy A Scenic Drive Along Some Of West Virginia’s Most Beautiful Backroads
The Seneca Skyway is a newly designated scenic drive in West Virginia, offering stunning views and unique sights along a loop through the state's backroads.
Have you heard the news? There's a newly designated scenic drive in the Mountain State: the Seneca Skyway. And yes, this loop along West Virginia's backroads is just as stunningly beautiful as it sounds! Along the way, you'll travel multiple country roads, crisscross a few WV scenic byways, and find yourself immersed in some of the prettiest and most unique sights in the state. Make sure to pull over and enjoy the views up close too!
Before you head out, grab the Google map!
The Seneca Skyway is the first of a new series of scenic drives through West Virginia known as "Mountain Rides."
In partnership with the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the West Virginia Department of Tourism has begun this campaign to feature some of West Virginia's most beautiful backroads.
And beautiful they are! This first route, the Seneca Skyway, begins and ends in Lewisburg, West Virginia and loops through the Potomac Highlands.
It's a six-hour trip, which doesn't leave much time for stops... unless you decide to break it up into more than one day.
1. First up, it's Lewisburg to Marlinton on State Route 219.
Along the way, you'll pass right through Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, an area that's well worth a stretch break. Climb the observation tower and soak in the view before hopping back on the Seneca Trail.
A few more miles down the road, check to see if Buckeye Bend Books is open! If it is, be sure to stop.
2. Next, after Marlinton, it's on to Elkins, then Thomas. En route, stop for a stretch and a view at Fred Long Centennial Park.
Alternatively, check out Olson Tower or Big Run Falls, if you can spare the time. It's absolutely worth it!
3. Your next stop will require looping around and head back south toward Seneca Rocks, passing right through Canaan Valley as you do so.
Seneca Rocks is one of WV's most iconic natural wonders. But this is a gorgeous area and you're sure to find plenty more stunning views!
4. The next stop is Green Bank, in the National Radio Quiet Zone. Here, you can admire the world's largest fully steerable telescope at the Green Bank Observatory.
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (pictured) is a massive single-dish radio telescope that is a whopping 100 meters in diameter!
5. One last stop before returning to Lewisburg: White Sulphur Springs. This small West Virginia town is famous as the home of the Greenbrier Resort.
This is definitely one of the most scenic drives in West Virginia, and there's so much to see! One important note: you'll almost surely lose cell service for part of this road trip, so make sure to download directions ahead of time. But that's half the fun!
Learn more about this beautiful route along some of West Virginia's best backroads via the West Virginia Tourism website, or grab the Seneca Skyway map on Google Maps. Then gas up the car (or maybe an RV) and get driving!
Next, why not explore the most remote park in West Virginia?
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