Visting New River Gorge, West Virginia

Years ago, as an engineering student at Purdue, David studied the blueprints and specs of this bridge that was built over the New River Gorge in 1977. Considered an engineering marvel of great magnitude, it was the longest single arch steel bridge in the world. (Now 3rd longest.) So he knew all about it when I suggested that we visit while driving through West Virginia last May. What he didn’t know was that you can walk across it– on a catwalk underneath!

That was my favorite way to see the New River Gorge. Which anyone can do by joining one of their Bridge Walk tours.

But that’s only one of many ways to experience the gorge in this massive, 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park.

You can go white water rafting, hiking, biking, rock climbing and ziplining around Canyon Rim, where the Bridge is located, in the northern section of the park. Explore old, abandoned mines and ghost towns around the middle section of the gorge. Or visit Sandstone waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and hikes in Grandview, down in the southern end of the park. The gorge has 3 visitor centers spanning the 53 miles between the north and south ends.

Dave and I visited the northern end and stayed overnight in Fayetteville. Months later, when Jordan and I drove through West Virginia after her internship in Pennsylvania, we visited Grandview in the southern end.

NORTHERN END of the New River Gorge

Canyon Rim Visitor Center

Located outside of Fayetteville, the Visitor Center at Canyon Rim has numerous exhibits about the construction of the bridge, coal mining and the lifestyle of the local people who lived here during early 19th century. To the right of the building is a short path leading to this viewpoint. Aim to be here first thing in the morning to catch the fog, which rolls in at dawn.

 

Bridge Walk

The Bridge Walk tour took about 2.5 hours, including time to get fitted with harnesses before walking across the bridge.

We were shuttled over to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and followed a short trail leading to a gate allowing entry to the bridge.

Stepping onto the catwalk felt very secure.

It’s 24″ wide and has a substantial railing. Plus you’re fastened onto a safety cable making it impossible to fall off the bridge.

But. You are standing over 8 stories tall. The same height as the Eiffel Tower observation deck. And you DO feel a little movement as trucks rumble overhead.

So much steel! Loved the view from above and all the patterns of steel crisscrossing before us.

Saw rafters floating waaaay beneath us. Railroad tracks that once carried coal. The original gorge bridge. And partial views of roads peeking out between the trees.

At one point the guide suggested we sit down and dangle our feet over the edge. So I did. And so did the other couple on our tour.

But Dave…stayed standing. It was only then that I noticed how he was gripping the iron railing. Surprised, I had no idea his vertigo was affecting him on this catwalk! It didn’t feel scary to me in the least. But if you have a fear of heights just be forwarned that this walk may challenge you a bit.

Wanna go? Check out the Bridge Walk tours here. Tours are offered morning or afternoon, and cost $75.

Fayetteville Station Road

If you want to see the original bridge at the bottom of the gorge, and travel the route that locals used before the new bridge was built, follow Fayetteville Station Road. Takes about an hour.

Directions: Leaving the Visitor Center, turn right on Highway 19 No for .25 miles. Then turn right again on Lansing-Edmond Road, and after another .25 miles turn right on Fayetteville Station Road. Follow this curvy road to the bottom of the gorge and cross the original bridge over the river before winding back up the other side of the gorge.

This narrow road is now paved, and one way. Thankfully. The hairpin turns, rutted conditions and slick mud made it quite dangerous to manuever around oncoming vehicles. But it was the only way to cross the gorge until 1977. Imagine how difficult it must’ve been traveling by horse back in the day. Woulda taken forever!

Stop in at the Visitor Center first to download the audio guide for this drive. That way you can listen to directions and learn tidbits about the history of this region.

View of the New Bridge from the old bridge.

Reaching the water’s edge there are a few places to pull off and park. Best to bring waders. Rocks are very slippery and it’s easy to fall as you approach the bank of the river. See the New River Gorge Bridge from the base. And if you’re lucky, watch rafters crashing through the rapids passing underneath the giant steel arch.

It was pouring the afternoon we drove through, so only stopped briefly along the way. And those waders were essential.

 

SOUTHERN END of the New River Gorge

Grandview Overlook

When Jordan and I traveled west across the southern part of West Virginia from White Sulphur Springs last August, we spent the night in Meadow Bridge off of I 64. Dawson Inn was a nice local hotel, recently renovated. Staying here allowed us to visit Grandview in the morning, when the fog rolls in. The 25 mile drive took about 40 minutes to reach Grandview’s main overlook deck.

Who wants blue skies when you can have wispy clouds hovering over the gorge??

Castle Rock Hike

From here we took a short half mile hike to Castle Rock.

The forested trail had lots of rocks to navigate and passed a large rock wall that looked like a fortress.

And then we were back on the road, heading west toward Kentucky. Along the way we stopped in Beckley to visit the coal mining village and have a scrumptious late lunch at a Schwarma restaurant before stopping to see the state capitol in Charleston. Although our stop in Grandview was short, it was nice to see both ends of the New River Gorge.

America’s newest national park has lots to offer tourists passing through this mountainous state. Deciding how long to stay is really up to you and what you want to do. Summer season offers the most activities. But ghost towns, abandoned mines and epic overviews can be appreciated year round.

The busiest day of the year–by far– is the 3rd Saturday in October. Bridge Day. During this annual one-day event, daredevils teams can rappel, ride a high line or base jump from the bridge. While spectators watch! Halfway across the Bridge Walk is the most popular place to watch and tickets get snatched up far in advance.  Learn more about Bridge Day here.