Washington Heritage Trail

Located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, the Washington Heritage Trail gives visitors the chance to follow the footsteps of George Washington. This 136-mile-long National Scenic Byway runs along the Potomac River and passes through three counties and multiple historic districts. History can be found throughout the entirety of the Byway, which includes five beautiful towns that still have architecture from the 18th century. There are also plenty of chances for visitors to experience outdoor recreation and relaxation with some beautiful views of the historic Potomac River. Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover, there is something for everybody along the Washington Heritage Trail.

The beauty of the area that the Washington Heritage Trail covers is truly second to none and cannot be overshadowed by the history along the Byway. Located within the loop of the trail, Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area has recreation galore for visitors. These 23,000 acres of land has so many opportunities for visitors including hiking, fishing, and the main attraction, hunting. There are white tail deer, wild turkey, squirrels, and much more located within the Wildlife Area. Other than the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Area, there are a myriad of parks and other scenic areas for visitors to stop at and take in the beautiful views of the area. If visitors want to combine the beautiful nature with some history, they can stop by Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. This Park combines the beautiful views of historic Harpers Ferry with architecture that has been restored to their condition when they were created in 1859. There is a lot of opportunity for visitors to experience the nature of the area in one of the many parks or wildlife areas that are located along the Washington Heritage Trail.

The history of the area is truly second to none, with the Byway being created for the purpose of putting visitors in George Washington’s shoes. George Washington’s first elected position was to represent this exact area in the Virginia House of Burgesses, so his presence along this Byway is clear and can be found just about anywhere. It was here that Washington also defended during the French and Indian War, where he gained respect leading into the Revolutionary War. Visitors can also take a trip to the nation’s first spa in Berkeley Springs which George Washington always traveled to “take the waters”. When Washington was president, he selected Harpers Ferry as the nation’s first federal armory, which can still be found today.

If you are looking to take in the beautiful scenes and fascinating history of one our nation’s biggest heroes, this Byway is perfect for you. The Washington Heritage Trail has something for everybody and can be appreciated by all. Families can take this as a weekend or multi-day trip in order to take in everything that this Byway has to offer. The history combined with the beautiful nature truly makes this Byway a must for anyone who wants to learn more about our nation’s past.

The Washington Heritage Trail runs right along the Potomac for a majority of its route along WV9 and WV480. It then looks back around from Harper's Ferry on WV51 and brings you back to Berkeley Springs.