Midland Trail
The Midland Trail Historical Tour

Departure: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Destination: Charleston, West Virginia
Time to allow: 1 day

Along every mile of the Midland Trail, historical buildings await to be explored. The natives of the area make sure that not an ounce of the culture is lost.

Day 1

  • Start: White Sulphur Springs

    Start off your journey with a glimpse of the history that abounds throughout the area. This town was the scene of the 1862 Civil War battle of Dry Creek.

  • Stop 2: Lewisburg

    From previous stop: 16 minutes / 11.37 mi (18.2 km)
    Directions:

    Start going west on US 60 before turning left on US 64 towards Beckley. Take the 219 exit towards Lewisburg.
    Suggested time at this stop: 45 minutes

    Drive into this 200 year old ante-bellum town, which includes many galleries and shops for you to visit and collect souviners for your trip.

  • Stop 3: Sam Black Church

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 14 mi (22.4 km)
    Directions:

    Continue west on US60 before reaching the junction of US60 and US64.
    Suggested time at this stop: 10 minutes

    Trail past this historic church, which was built in 1902 and named in honor of Rev. Samuel Black, a circuit-riding Methodist minister.

  • Stop 4: Lookout

    From previous stop: 30 minutes / 29 mi (46.4 km)
    Directions:

    Continue on US 60.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Stop by the town of Lookout, which is home to "Spy Rock," and located close the Babcock State Park and Glade Creek Grist Mill.

  • Stop 5: Hico

    From previous stop: 5 minutes / 4.43 mi (7.1 km)
    Directions:

    Start out going WEST on US-60 W toward CR-60 then make a U-TURN onto US-60 E. End at Hico.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    While on the Midland Trail, a stop in the heart of whitewater rafting country is a must, and a short detour will bring you to the Carnifex Ferry State Park, a historic Civil War battle site.

  • Stop 6: Ansted

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 6.67 mi (10.7 km)
    Directions:

    Go east on US60 E then make a U-turn onto US60 W.

    Located near Hawk's Nest State Park, Ansted has buildings that date back to the Civil War era, such as the Halfway House, and in the third week of September, celebrate the Country Roads Festival with the natives.

  • Stop 7: Hawk's Nest State Park

    From previous stop: 3 minutes / 3 mi (4.8 km)
    Directions:

    Located just outside of the town of Ansted.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour 30 minutes

    This beautiful State Park offers a scenic overlook of the New River Gorge and tram rides down to the lake over 800 feet below.

  • Stop 8: Malden

    From previous stop: 1 hour / 45 mi (72.0 km)
    Directions:

    Continue on US60.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    By visiting Malden, you can still see a number of homes from the time when salt industry was prominent. Malden also includes a reconstruction of Booker T. Washington's boyhood cabin, the Craik-Patton house.

  • End: Charleston

    From previous stop: 10 minutes / 7 mi (11.2 km)
    Directions:

    Stay on US 60.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    A city of charm and history, Charleston is a must-see place on the Midland Trail. Culture abounds on the grounds of the capitol where you will be able to find specialty shops, sample homemake apple butter, and hear traditional dulcimer, banjo, and guitar music.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 120.47 miles / 192.8 km
Total Travel Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 5 hours 55 minutes