West Virginia is the queen of nicknames and slogans: “Wild and Wonderful,” “Almost Heaven,” “Mountain State.” And they are all very well-deserved, as is one you might not have heard quite as often: “Switzerland of America.” Switzerland has some of the most beautiful mountains and mountain towns in the world…but so do we, and here’s proof that this nickname is a fitting moniker for our state!

Of course, like Switzerland, we have mountains...
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Pictured: Dolly Sods in autumn.
...range upon range of them. In fact, we're the only state to lie completely within the Appalachian Mountain Range.
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Pictured: Lindy Point Overlook at evening.
Ours may not be quite as high as the Alps, but they are still rugged, wild, and beautiful.
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Pictured: Coopers Rock Overlook bathed in light.

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Also like Switzerland, we've got trains, including mountain trains...
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Pictured: a Shay logging locomotive near Cass, West Virginia.
...and we've also got our fair share of scenic train bridges.
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Pictured: Great Cacapon Railroad Bridge, Morgan County.
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Pictured: a train bridge over the Potomac, shining in the sun after an afternoon rainstorm.
And last but not least, we have our very own authentic Swiss village. Helvetia is a little slice of Switzerland right here in West Virginia. Settled by Swiss families in the 1800s, the town still celebrates its rich Swiss heritage with swiss flavored food and festivals.
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Pictured: The Hutte, an idyllic, authentic Swiss restaurant in Helvetia.

What nickname do you use to refer to the Mountain State? And how are you planning to enjoy America’s Switzerland this summer? Here are over 100 ideas for amazing outdoor destinations we’ve compiled from around the state to help get your wheels turning!

To enjoy more pictures of our beautiful state, make sure to follow us on Instagram (@only_in_west_virginia).

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