Overview
Helvetia is an unincorporated community in Randolph County, West Virginia. It was settled in 1869 by immigrants from Switzerland. Helvetia is known primarily for its Swiss heritage. The community takes pride in keeping local traditions alive, and restoring the original buildings. Today, the community has 38 residents.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Helvetia
Holly River State Park
Hiking trails to two waterfalls (Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa) or up to Potato Knob at 2,480 feet and Shupe's Chute waterfall. Trout rearing pond, swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, softball field, tennis courts, archery…
Kumbrabow State Forest
On US-219. West Virginia's highest state forest encompasses 9,474 acres of forest atop Rich Mountain, with abundant wildlife and flora. Eight hiking trails, picnicking, hunting, fishing and entertainment during the summe…
Fasnacht
The Swiss version of Mardi Gras is held the last Saturday before Lent, in late February. Food (including fondue) and beverages, open mic music, a buffet at the Hutte restaurant, mask making, and a candlelight parade in t…
Historic District
There are ten historic buildings in town, including an original settler's cabin that has been converted into a museum.
West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival
Held in nearby Pickens during the third Saturday in March, to celebrate the sugarmaking traditions of eastern West Virginia. The festival features a pancake dinner; artists; woodcarving, soapmaking and basket weaving dem…
Helvetia Ramp Dinner
Is held in late April; Pickens also holds a ramp dinner the previous week. Volunteers prepare over 60 bushels of ramps, 300 pounds of ham, 60 pounds of beans, 480 pounds of potatoes, and 200 pounds of cabbage. The meal i…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CKB North Central West Virginia Airport, Bridgeport — 41 mi away. Directions
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 60 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 123 mi away (major hub). Directions
Helvetia is a small village nestled in a valley on CR-46; the nearest large towns are Buckhannon and Elkins. Getting there will require patience; it's miles of curving backroads before you reach the village.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Historic District, Kumbrabow State Forest
- Lunch Hutte Restaurant
- Afternoon West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival, Helvetia Community Fair
Day 2
- Morning Holly River State Park, Fasnacht
- Afternoon Helvetia Ramp Dinner
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Helvetia takes pride in its homemade foods, including apple butter and Helvetia Swiss cheese, which has been made since the 1800s.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Helvetia is a small village nestled in a valley on CR-46; the nearest large towns are Buckhannon and Elkins. Getting there will require patience; it's miles of curving backroads before you reach the village.
See
See Historic District
There are ten historic buildings in town, including an original settler's cabin that has been converted into a museum.
See Holly River State Park
Hiking trails to two waterfalls (Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa) or up to Potato Knob at 2,480 feet and Shupe's Chute waterfall. Trout rearing pond, swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, softball field, tennis courts, archery, badminton, croquet and horseshoes. On-site park store, and restaurant with wood panelling and wood-burning fireplace. Cabins and campgrounds available.
See Kumbrabow State Forest
On US-219. West Virginia's highest state forest encompasses 9,474 acres of forest atop Rich Mountain, with abundant wildlife and flora. Eight hiking trails, picnicking, hunting, fishing and entertainment during the summer. Mill Creek Falls is at the northern end of the park. Cabins, cottages and campgrounds available, with bathhouse.
Do
Helvetia isn't a place for activity so much as inactivity; go walking, hiking, fishing, browsing the shops, or just relax in the shade with a good book. Music and dancing are popular cultural traditions, with square dancing being a particular favorite.
Events
Do Fasnacht
The Swiss version of Mardi Gras is held the last Saturday before Lent, in late February. Food (including fondue) and beverages, open mic music, a buffet at the Hutte restaurant, mask making, and a candlelight parade in the evening with costume judging and a square dance. At midnight, an effigy of Old Man Winter is cut down and burned. Admission free.
Do West Virginia Maple Syrup Festival
Held in nearby Pickens during the third Saturday in March, to celebrate the sugarmaking traditions of eastern West Virginia. The festival features a pancake dinner; artists; woodcarving, soapmaking and basket weaving demonstrations; a wood-chopping exhibition; a muzzle-loading contest; arts and crafts; a quilt show; square dancing; and live entertainment.
Do Helvetia Ramp Dinner
Is held in late April; Pickens also holds a ramp dinner the previous week. Volunteers prepare over 60 bushels of ramps, 300 pounds of ham, 60 pounds of beans, 480 pounds of potatoes, and 200 pounds of cabbage. The meal includes fried and fresh ramps, beans, ham, fried potatoes, applesauce, cornbread, drink, and dessert.
Do Helvetia Community Fair
Sometimes called the Swiss Festival, is held the second Saturday in September. It features an Alpine parade with traditional dress and vehicles, a Swiss flag toss, the blowing of the Alpenhorn, Swiss music, costumes, songs and folk dances, square dancing, and farm stands selling fresh produce, homemade preserves, baked goods, cheeses and crafts. Funds are raised during the annual chicken supper on the third Saturday in August; dinner is $8, square dancing $5. Admission to the fair is free.
- Helvetia Day, held on the Saturday closest to October 20th, celebrates the arrival of the original Swiss settlers in the valley. Features a historic walk following the settlers' original path, a folk dance workshop and square dancing. Admission to the dance is $5, all other events free.
Buy
Eat
Helvetia takes pride in its homemade foods, including apple butter and Helvetia Swiss cheese, which has been made since the 1800s.
Eat Hutte Restaurant
Reservations recommended. Heated by a wood stove, featuring a full menu with sandwiches on homemade bread, and many Swiss specialties like Swiss cheese, bratwurst and sauerbraten.
Sleep
Stay Helvetia's Swiss Mountain Retreat
An 1890 Swiss farmhouse surrounded by over 50 acres of farmland. On-site gift shop, and alpacas that children can pet.
Go next
- Elkins is about 1 hour northeast on CR-46 and US-219.
- Buckhannon is about 1 hour north on CR-46 and CR-11.
Nearby
Buckhannon
City / town · 12 listings · 20 mi away
Snowshoe
City / town · 68 listings · 23 mi away
Elkins
City / town · 25 listings · 24 mi away
Monongahela National Forest
Park · 6 listings · 24 mi away
Weston
City / town · 15 listings · 27 mi away
Sutton
City / town · 28 listings · 28 mi away
Marlinton
City / town · 6 listings · 34 mi away
Glenville
City / town · 2 listings · 38 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.