Elkins
at 1kmI started this loop in downtown Elkins. Follow the main road (Rt 33) through town to the Krogers, then turn left and follow Rt 33/55 towards Seneca Rocks.
4-Lanes for the next 5 miles or so.
at 5kmStop and check out the large caves on the south side of the ...
at 15kmStop and check out the large caves on the south side of the highway. They are about 1/2 mile before the end of the 4-lane. You can't see them until you are right by them.
Bowden
at 16kmEnd of 4-lane. Great riding ahead.
Nice overlook at the summit of Rich Mt. If you are eastboun...
at 30kmNice overlook at the summit of Rich Mt. If you are eastbound, it will be on your right. Turn on CR 31 and park.
Harman
at 37kmThere is an Exxon Station here with snacks. Nice family-owned business. I prefer to stop here since the station in Seneca Rocks is usually crowded and noisy.
Harman
at 39kmWatch the school zone!!! Great riding ahead for the next 12 miles or so to Seneca Rocks.
Summit of Allegheny Mountain. Nice view looking back westbo...
at 44kmSummit of Allegheny Mountain. Nice view looking back westbound. Great curves ahead - be ready to scrape your footpegs!
Onego
at 53kmWatch your speed - the County Sheriff Deputies like to watch this sometimes.
Seneca Rocks
at 57kmIf you're hungry, try the Front Porch Restaurant. Get an outside table for a great view of Seneca Rocks. There is a small grocery/gift/gas station too.
Turn right (south) on Rt 33 about 200 yards to the entrance ...
at 58kmTurn right (south) on Rt 33 about 200 yards to the entrance to the SR Discovery Center. Better yet, hike to the top if it's a nice day (allow at least 2 hours). Take water if it's hot - steep climb on a very good path, but no water along the way.
Seneca Shadows Campground is a nice place to stay. Restaura...
at 67kmSeneca Shadows Campground is a nice place to stay. Restaurants and grocery store only a mile or two away. It's a govt campground - well maintained and safe.
Riverton
at 78kmFor a nice side trip, take Germany Vally Road (CR 9) back to the Seneca Caverns. Nice scenery through Germany Valley. The 2nd road to the right after you leave the main highway is Horse Ridge Road. If you're brave, take the steep (paved, but narrow) road up to the top - about 1/4 mile and enjoy the scenery! Wow!
Turnoff to Spruce Knob - the highest point in WV. Take Brier...
at 82kmTurnoff to Spruce Knob - the highest point in WV. Take Briery Gap Rd (DR 33/4) up the winding path a souple miles, then bear left at the first split.
Watch for the side road to the summit of Spruce Knob. The l...
at 100kmWatch for the side road to the summit of Spruce Knob. The last section is not paved, but is very smooth, hard-packed dirt/gravel. Most times, you could easily drive a Corvette there.
Spruce Knob
at 103kmSummit of Spruce Knob. Take the short hike over to the observation deck for a great view. (Deck has 3 or 4 small flights of stairs - maybe 50 feet high). Then backtrack back down to Rt 33.
Germany Valley Overlook. Hard to spot until you almost pass...
at 131kmGermany Valley Overlook. Hard to spot until you almost pass it on a blind RH corner. That's OK, if you miss it, turn around at the summit and come back.
Coming down from the Germany Valley Overlook, turn south on ...
at 137kmComing down from the Germany Valley Overlook, turn south on Rt 28 toward Cass and Green Bank.
Circleville
at 142kmSmall gas station in Circleville. Nice riding from here south to Green Bank.
Cherry Grove
at 148kmThornwood
at 174kmBartow
at 178kmJunction with Rt 92. Good restaurant by the junction - Exxon gas station next door. Turn left (south) on Rt 28 to continue to Cass or turn right on Rt 250 to head towards to the south side of Elkins area.
Green Bank
at 189kmBe sure to stop at the Green Bank Radio Telescope Observatory. Very nice visitor center. No cell phone coverage for 20 or so miles in all directions since it causes interference. Just south of the observatory is a gas station/grocery store and small diner with pizza and other food.
Green Bank
at 192kmJust south of Green Bank, turn on Rt 66 west. This is a stat...
at 194kmJust south of Green Bank, turn on Rt 66 west. This is a state route, not the famous Rt 66.
Cass
at 202kmOld scenic railroad goes up the mountain several times of the day during the summer and fall. Allow a few hours and take the trip back in time. Train station has a basic restaurant.
Cass
at 203kmTake a moment and read the historical marker in the old town for some interesting history. Continue west on Rt 66. The road is nice and curvy, but be very careful - there is often fine gravel and/or sand in the corners.
Snowshoe - Junction with Rt 219. Gas station/grocery store ...
at 220kmSnowshoe - Junction with Rt 219. Gas station/grocery store here. Turn north on Rt 219 to continue.
Valley Head
at 237kmWatch your speed!
Valley Head
at 238kmTurn left onto Rt 15 towards Webster Springs. Nice riding ahead.
Beware - somewhere near Monterville is a quarry (limestone?)...
at 246kmBeware - somewhere near Monterville is a quarry (limestone?) and the trucks leave a thick coating on the road for several miles around the entrance. When it's dry, the powder is very dusty. When it's wet, it's very slippery.
Monterville
at 248kmBlue Spring
at 249kmWebster Springs
at 288kmWebster Springs - a few gas stations here, but the GoMart does not have public restrooms. If you're hungry for ice cream, detour onto Rt 20 South and head up the mountain about a half mile to the first big hairpin turn. There is an Ice Cream Shop there - can't remember the name - but they are well known.
Diana
at 301kmRt 15 now splits left (west) to go over to I-79 (Sutton - Exit 67) if you need to hit the Interstate. Otherwise, continue north on Rt 20 for about 8 miles to Rella's Diner! GREAT riding ahead, unless you get stuck behind a slow truck. If so, pull off and wait for a break in traffic.
Rella's Diner
at 314kmRella's Diner - a small brown trailer by the side of the road. Rella is a Great-Great-Grandma who runs this diner 7 days a week. She loves riders (as long as they are well behaved) and treats everyone like family. It's an old trailer, but you will get a home cooked meal like grandma used to make. She also has a pie fridge filled with home-made pies. You will have a friend for life when you know Rella.
Hacker Valley
at 317kmGas station/convenience store. Last gas for 20 miles or so.
Rock Cave
at 348kmGas Station / small grocery store and restaurant.
French Creek Game Farm
at 352kmNice diversion from riding - walk the 1-mile loop past many animals.
Buckhannon
at 371kmTurn right onto Main Street. If you didn't eat at Rella's, there is a CJ Maggies a couple blocks to the right of the court house. Nice college town to walk around.
Turn left onto Island Ave. This is the OLD Rt 33 (now Rt 151...
at 372kmTurn left onto Island Ave. This is the OLD Rt 33 (now Rt 151, replaced by the new 4-lane Rt 33 that parallels just north). Follow this east almost to Elkins. Not really scenic, but a taste of the 60s and 70s. Most old shops have closed and are boarded up, so get gas in Buckhannon.
Turn left to go up to the 4-lane Rt 33 East. The old road d...
at 407kmTurn left to go up to the 4-lane Rt 33 East. The old road dead-ends soon, so this is your last chance.
Get on Rt 33 East to Elkins. (4-lane) You're almost back w...
at 408kmGet on Rt 33 East to Elkins. (4-lane) You're almost back where you started.
Elkins
at 418kmExit Rt 33/219 to Elkins.
Back where you started. Hope you enjoyed the loop.
at 420km