In its short run across the eastern tip of West Virginia, US-340 passes through one of the most history-rich small towns in the United States: Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Lovely mountain scenery surrounds Harpers Ferry, especially during early autumn when the hardwood forests rival Vermont’s for vibrant color. South of Harpers Ferry, the hikers’ Appalachian Trail runs directly along the Virginia–West Virginia border, east of the Shenandoah River atop the roadless crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The best route to follow by car, US-340 swings to the west through the historic mountain resort of Charles Town before entering Virginia.
