Photo Courtesy of Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
Old Route 7 Scenic Byway: Explore Mountaineer Country in West Virginia
Welcome to Mountaineer Country! As the song says, this corner of West Virginia is “Almost Heaven”—and visitors quickly understand why. The Old Route 7 Scenic Byway, a 43-mile drive in northeastern West Virginia, stretches from just south of the Pennsylvania border near Morgantown southeasterly to the Maryland state line. The route delivers history, outdoor adventure, local food, and scenic mountain views in one memorable journey.
History Comes Alive Along Old Route 7
Photo Courtesy of Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
This region played a role in the long Anglo-French struggle for control of the frontier and was contested by settlers, Native American tribes, the English, and the French until the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Conflicts with Native groups continued into the Revolutionary War era.
At least seven forts were built in the area between Fort Pierpont (1769) and Fort Kern (1774) in the Greenmont section of Morgantown. Fort Kern is now a historical landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Morgantown itself was founded by Zackquill Morgan, who settled in the Monongahela Valley around 1766–68. His log cabin, known as Fort Morgan, became the nucleus of the town and served as a safe haven for settlers, though it never saw direct battle. Other Revolutionary War veterans received land grants in the area as payment for military service.
In 1772, members of the Dunkard religious sect settled along the Cheat River. The town of Kingwood was established in 1811, became the Preston County seat in 1818, and was formally chartered in 1853.
Local Food Is King
Photo Courtesy of Kingwood Volunteer Fire
Department
The Monongahela Valley was historically known for rye and buckwheat production, and the iron industry flourished here during the 19th century. Today, Mountaineer Country—and West Virginia as a whole—boasts the highest percentage of family-owned farms in the United States. Travelers can enjoy fresh local produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses at roadside stands and markets.
Each year on the last weekend of September, Kingwood hosts the popular Preston County Buckwheat Festival.
Natural Features of the Region
The byway travels through the Allegheny Mountains, a subrange of the Appalachians. The Briery Mountains mark the northern extent of the Alleghenies in northern West Virginia. The Cheat River winds through the landscape and forms at the junction of the Black Fork and Shavers Fork before meeting the Monongahela River near Morgantown—just one mile north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Adventure Abounds on Old Route 7
Photo Courtesy of Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do:
White-water rafting on the Cheat River
Year-round fishing for cold-water trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and other species
Stunning overlooks and outdoor recreation at Cooper’s Rock State Forest, located about 15 miles from Morgantown, offering hiking, fishing, camping, and dramatic views of the Cheat River Gorge
The Caperton Trail, a 5-mile paved path in Morgantown that connects the Mon River Trails and Deckers Creek Trail. Suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, in-line skating, and cross-country skiing in season. The trail passes Hazel Ruby McQuain Park (home to a summer concert series), the Tug Boat Depot, and the WVU Core Arboretum with its 200-year-old trees
The West Virginia Zoo in Kingwood (open seasonally April–October and weekends in November), where visitors can see exotic and native animals and, in some cases, feed giraffes and camels
New Programs in Mountaineer Country
Travelers can now explore the region’s many waterfalls through the Waterfall Trail Passport program. Learn more and sign up at https://wvtourism.com/west-virginia-waterfall-trail
Photo Courtesy of Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
Birding opportunities are abundant across local parks, wildlife management areas, and the arboretum, thanks to the area’s mix of bogs, forests, farmlands, and waterways.
Almost Heaven Awaits
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, local history, farm-fresh food, scenic drives, or simply fresh mountain air, the Old Route 7 Scenic Byway delivers. Come experience a little piece of heaven for yourself.
Plan your visit:
National Scenic Byway Foundation – Old Route 7 https://nsbfoundation.com/sb/old-route-7/
Visit Mountaineer Country – https://www.visitmountaineercountry.com/
Also consider the Kingwood Downtown Walking Tour for an up-close look at local history and architecture.