In West Virginia's New River Gorge, whitewater rafting — and a 2020 national park designation — is breathing new life into a region once defined by coal mining.

The Gorge's singular vision of heavy music is rooted in eclectic influences ranging from Meshuggah and Botch to Igor Stravinsky and John Coltrane. They have shared stages with Dillinger Escape Plan, Everytime I Die, Protest The Hero, and The Armed, and plan to celebrate Mechanical Fiction with East Coast tour date in the fall.

We begin our tour in the mountain village of Monodendri, whose cobbled streets curve with the hillside. We don't encounter a single person, only a dog trots along with us to the entrance of the Vikos Gorge.

* This post is part of a paid promotional partnership. * If you’ve been curious about riding in the Columbia River Gorge, there’s an event coming Saturday, June 24th that should be on your calendar. The annual Gorge Ride will introduce you to some of the most stunning sections of the fabled Historic Columbia River Highway. This ride is a real gem. It’s been held since 2006 as a ...

Under Canvas is a great addition to the Gorge for points travelers, who can now earn and burn points while taking advantage of all the area has to offer.