FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Those who decided not to take on the Bridge Day crowds but wanted to take in the scenic beauty of the area were in luck.
With the New River Gorge Bridge being closed to traffic for the majority of the day on Saturday, locals and travelers alike were forced to take detours around the bridge.
The most common detour for north and southbound traffic on U.S. Route 19 is to exit onto U.S. 60 west and then take State Route 16 south to Fayetteville back to U.S. Route 19.
Along this route, travelers witness an array of fall colors atop the New River Gorge beginning at popular Hawks Nest State Park.
Hawks Nest has multiple overlooks for the perfect photo op of the fall foliage in the New River Gorge.
The New River added with the historic C&O (Chesapeake & Ohio) Railway train trestle spanning across the river is a must-see sight in the fall.
Travelers will then embark briefly down winding Gauley Mountain turning on State Route 16 bound for Fayetteville.
Along Route 16, one will again witness views of the New River at Cotton Hill.
A lesser-known detour for those traveling from Beckley to U.S. Route 19 North goes right through one of the least visited areas of the park.
State Route 41 North from Beckley rolls through the old mining town of Stanaford and then curves off and winds down Batoff Mountain.
At the bottom of the mountain, one will arrive at New River at the historic and scenic Prince.
Prince was once a major commercial town along the C&O Railway. The historic Prince Brother’s General Store and Prince C&O Railway Station still stand.
Amtrak still stops at the station three days a week.
Also in the Prince area is Glade Creek which is home to trails and a campground within New River Gorge National Park & Preserve boundaries.
Traveling further up Route 41 North, one will arrive in the former mining town of Layland where some historic homes and buildings remain.
A memorial and historical marker for a major mine explosion that occurred in the town in 1915 killing 112 men sits off the highway in Layland.
Before coming out at the junction with U.S. 60, one will witness the Babcock State Park entrance sign which is a must-visit along this route.
With fall foliage nearing its peak in this part of Fayette County, priceless photos of the Glade Creek Grist Mill and Mann’s Creek Gorge can be captured here.
After coming out at U.S. 60, travel west until you arrive at the junction with U.S. 19 in Hico to continue your northward trek.
