McDowell County

Winding mountain road leading into a remote Appalachian holler in West Virginia.
The winding road into the holler reveals a quieter side of Appalachia shaped by mountains, isolation, and generations of history.
Appalachian Region Travel Guides / Small Towns and HIdden America

What Is a Holler? Discovering Appalachia Beyond the Stereotypes

What exactly is a holler? This reflective journey through the hollers of Appalachia explores the geography, isolation, culture, poverty, resilience, and misconceptions surrounding one of America’s most misunderstood regions.

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May 30, 2026
Historic railroad station in War that once supported the region’s coal industry.
This old railroad station in War once played an important role in transporting coal through the mountains of southern West Virginia.
Appalachian Region Travel Guides / Back Roads and Byway / Small Towns and HIdden America

Driving West Virginia’s Coal Heritage Trail: Through the Heart of Appalachia

The Coal Heritage Trail in southern West Virginia offers far more than a scenic mountain drive. From abandoned coal towns and Appalachian hollers to active mines, ghost towns, and winding mountain roads, this journey through the heart of Appalachia reveals a side of America many travelers never see.

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May 23, 2026