The primary route of the Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail begins in the historic City of Nitro. Situated along Interstate 64, the direct
route between Charleston and Huntington, Nitro is perfectly located to serve as the southern gateway to the Trail. A large number of
visitor facilities and shopping opportunities are available in Nitro, which bills itself as the antiques capital of West Virginia.
Upon leaving Nitro, on WV Route 25, the primary Trail connects with WV Route 62, hugging the scenic Kanawha River on one side
and the iconic rolling hills of West Virginia on the other. The route travels through a mixture of small historic towns and rural
communities. Sites significant to the region’s historical and cultural heritage crop up throughout the Trail. Visitors will have the
opportunity to tour Buffalo’s Historic District, filled with original buildings from the mid-nineteenth century, and stop at scenic sites
to watch river barges making their way up and down the Kanawha River. Unique events like Buffalo’s Octoberfest and Point
Pleasant’s Mothman Festival offer a taste of local culture to visitors. Whether visitors are interested in visiting the lower Kanawha
River Valley’s Civil War sites, experiencing the valley’s rich cultural heritage, seeing the spots where historical personages like
George Washington and Mad Anne Bailey left their mark, or waking up early to watch the early morning mist hanging over the river,
there are sites along the Trail for every interest.
For travelers who might wish to leave the primary route of the Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail for side trips, there are two adjoining
loops. The Mary Ingles Excursion Loop, which follows WV Route 817, can be entered at the St. Albans exit of Interstate 64, by
leaving WV Route 62 at the Winfield “Toll” Bridge, outside the town limits of Eleanor, or by crossing the Kanawha River on the
Buffalo Bridge. The centerpiece of the Mary Ingles Loop is the Town of Winfield, which is the county seat for Putnam County. The
historic court house, the home of the county’s first trial lawyer and judge and the southern side of the Winfield Locks and Dam are all
sites worth visiting. Other places of interest include small arts and craft and antique shops, the Wetlands of Winfield and the John
Amos power plant.
Another excursion route, the Ohio River Bend, can be accessed by following WV Route 62 north from downtown Point Pleasant or by
traveling down river from Nitro toward Point Pleasant and turning north on County Route 23 at the Town of Leon. This route features
a leisurely trip through some beautiful rural areas eventually bringing travelers to various points along the Ohio River as it meanders
from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois and the Mississippi River.
One additional excursion route that helps make up the Rivers to Ridges Heritage Trail Byway is the Ripley Connector Spur. This was
added to the heritage trial in order to tie the Ohio River Bend Excursion Loop with Interstate 77 at the Town of Ripley. It, however, is
more than a connector spur as Ripley has a beautiful historic district and boasts itself as home to the “USA’s largest small town
Independence Day celebration.” During the trip from Ripley to the Ohio River Loop Bend Excursion travelers pass several intrinsic
value sites including historic churches and Rollins Lake.