Hinton: Railway Heritage, Rivers and Special Excursions

Hinton combines railway history with river landscapes, hiking trails and events. Those who want to make their trip varied will find both historic discoveries and opportunities for days by the water and in nature. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday house, you can therefore consider whether culture, outdoor experiences or a mixture of both should be the focus of your stay.

Railway Heritage and Historic Sites

The Hinton Railroad Museum preserves artefacts from the early years of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The exhibitions also include model railways and tools from the time of John Henry, the Steel Drivin’ Man. The Hinton Depot was built in 1905 for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway as a division terminal. It is also Stop 19 on the African American Heritage Driving Tour, which focuses on African American migration to West Virginia.

Hinton’s historic townscape also makes it interesting. Downtown Hinton is a National Historic District with 200 buildings. At the centre of this historic district stands the Summers County Courthouse, completed in 1898. The Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House was built in 1875; personal and virtual tours have been organised for this house. The Second Baptist Church adds to the historic range: The present building was opened and dedicated for worship on 13 February 1927 and is Stop 18 on the African American Heritage Driving Tour, which focuses on the segregation of African Americans.

Rivers, Trails and Excursions into Nature

Bluestone State Park is located at the confluence of the Bluestone River and the New River. It offers opportunities for boating and fishing as well as more than eight miles of hiking trails spread across ten trails. One hiking trail initially follows a stream with several waterfalls and then runs along the Bluestone River beside the campsites. This allows you to choose between a water experience and a walk through different landscapes when planning your day.

The Almost Heaven Swing in Bluestone State Park offers a striking view over Bluestone Lake. It is accessible via a car park directly on Route 20 near Lilly’s Bridge. For a challenging day of hiking in the surrounding area, the Big Branch Trail is suitable: The loop trail is 2 miles long and passes streams and waterfalls, with views of the gorge and the river. Big Branch Falls can be reached via a 0.7-mile hike from the trailhead.

Events and Shared Experiences

The Festival of the Rivers combines traditional music with canoeing on the New River. Hinton Railroad Days celebrates the city’s railway heritage every October. Each summer, the WV State Water Festival brings visitors to Hinton; the programme includes parades, live entertainment, fireworks and family activities. The Ritz Theatre presents films, theatre performances and live music. This allows you to combine peaceful sightseeing with special event days without limiting your trip to just one type of experience.

Batteau Beach at Hinton Landing also offers several different options for an excursion: There is a trailhead for hikes, access to the river and a kayak ramp. Wild Water Express offers a water slide, a swimming pool and a children’s pool, as well as basketball courts and picnic tables.

Getting There and Choosing the Right Base

Hinton can be reached via the scenic WV Route 20 and is about 10 miles from the I-64 Sandstone-Hinton interchange, Exit 139. The historic Hinton Passenger Depot serves passengers on Amtrak’s Cardinal line. Hinton is also considered a gateway to the New River Gorge National River. If you want to combine historic sites, water activities and hikes, the city therefore provides a clear starting point for planning your trip. For additional destinations, you can also include Bluestone River and Jumping Branch in your research.

A holiday apartment or holiday house in Hinton is particularly well suited to your plans if you want to shape your days according to your interests: railway history and historic buildings, nature experiences by the water, hikes or seasonal events each create their own focus. As you continue your search, consider which focus should define your trip and choose your accommodation according to the preferred starting point for your activities.

For the overarching travel overview: Summers.