West Virginia, the USA Mountain State, offers mountains that are challenging to mountaineers, rock climbers and hikers of all levels and provide a stunning backdrop to year-round outdoor adventures.
The best mountain regions can be found to the south west of the state, in the Mountain Lakes and Potomac Highlands.
The state can be explored on a road-trip, with easy driving and interesting stops along the way.
New River
The New River, contrary to its name, is one of the oldest rivers on the continent.
New River Gorge national park encompasses 70,000 acres of land and is steeped in cultural and natural history.
New River Bridge is a must-photograph spot, as the longest steel span bridge in the hemisphere and the nation's third highest at 876 feet above the canyon floor.
The Greenbrier Resort
The Greenbrier Resort is located at the heart of the Alleghany Mountains, and is considered one of the finest luxury resorts.
Its guest list has included 26 presidents, and royalty including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The resort also had an underground bunker built, designed to house the entire U.S. Congress in case of nuclear attack during the Cold War.
Decommissioned in 1992, the bunker is now open to the public for tours.
Northern Panhandle, Mid-Ohio Valley and Mountaineer Country
The northernmost parts of West Virginia contain a mix of city destinations and outdoor pursuits.
North Bend State Park
North Bend State Park has an abundance of wildlife, with visitors able to explore the area on a 72-mile trail and foot, mountain bike or on horseback.
www.wvstateparks.com/park/north-bend-state-park
Grand Vue Park
Views of the Ohio Valley are on offer at the aerial adventure park at Grand Vue Park.
Challenges include the aerial rope course or the zip line, offering views over the entire park, which will delight thrill seeker
Metro Valley
The state's metropolis region has Charleston, Huntington and Marshall University.
The West Virginia State Museum in Charleston provides the chance to learn about the history of West Virginia.
Artefacts include the telescope that George Washington used to survey the land in West Virginia, a reconstruction of an original settler's cabin, and a pair of dressed fleas from a 19th century flea circus.
There is the 293-foot gold dome of the Capitol building, which is five feet taller than the dome on the Capitol building in DC.
Huntington
Huntington has Ritter Park and walking trails along Four Pole Creek, where there is a 1,000-seat amphitheatre
Mountain Lakes, Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle
The south eastern regions of the state are home to West Virginia's highest mountains, biggest lakes, and most dramatic scenery.
The highest point in the state can be found at Monongahela National Forest, where the elevations range from around 1,000 feet to just under 5,000 feet. A diverse ecosystem can be found across its 900,000 acres.
Within the Monongahela National Forest is the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.
The Seneca Rocks themselves offer a distinctive 250-foot-deep formation that stands almost 900 feet above the North Fork River.
Formed 460 million years ago, the Seneca Caverns were used as caves for shelter by the native Seneca people beginning in the early 1400s.
Descending to 165 feet below the entrance, visitors can take one hour guided tours over the caverns, with the pathways being well-lit and handrails available to help navigation in the particularly steep parts.