Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in West Virginia, United States

If you are heading to West Virginia or “the Mountain State,” many interesting sights await you as you plan out the details for your motorcycle trip. The routes that you can take can cut through or climb over the Appalachian and Blue Mountain regions. You will be able to navigate plateaus to mountains which can take you up to heights of at least 1,500 feet above sea level. Many of the destinations you will be able to visit will include Civil War historical sites, scenic railroads, and establishments displaying Appalachian culture.

Since it is difficult to appreciate the majesty of the more well-known places in West Virginia based on this introduction alone, listed below are the highlights you could expect from a West Virginia motorcycle trip.

Distance: 101 miles
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Start: Harrisonburg, VA
End: Elkins, WV

Starting in Harrisonburg, you can check out the exhibits or gift shops of the Explore More Discovery Museum and Virginia Quilt Museum. Departing northwest on US Route 33 and Rawley Pike, you will pass close to Riven Rock Park, Switzer Lake Recreation Area, and Railroad Hollow. This section of the trip will take you through the George Washington National Forest.

After crossing over the Virginia-West Virginia border, you will enter the Monongahela National Forest. As you head northward toward Seneca Rocks, you may catch sight of Seneca Caverns, Bogg’s Mill, and Seneca Rocks South Peak as you draw closer. If you are looking for a campsite, Seneca Rocks is an ideal location due to the area overlooking the sheer rock faces and valley floors below.

Heading westward, you will pass by the Potomac Wildlife Management Area, Mt. Porte Crayon, Bickle Knob Observation Tower, and Stuart Recreation Area. You can take a hike and cross the bridge along the Allegheny Trail which is part of the US 33 Trailhead. Upon arriving in Elkins, you can get a bite to eat at The Forks, Smoke on the Water BBQ, and C.J. Maggie’s.

Distance:53 miles
Time:1 hour 16 minutes
Start:Grafton
End:Mt. Storm

While you are still in Grafton, you can pay respects to fallen veterans from the Civil War to the Vietnam War at the Grafton National Cemetery. If you happen to be passing by around Mother’s Day, you can show your appreciation at the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

As you follow along US-50, you will pass by Siggens Hollow, Fellowsville Park, and Cathedral State Park. During the middle portion of the route, you will pass by the northern tip of the Monongahela National Forest.

After passing over into Maryland for a few miles, you will return to West Virginia to finish off the route by arriving in Mount Storm. Much of your surroundings will include mountains, valleys, and rivers. You will find this road enjoyable to navigate thanks to it being full of twists and turns.

Distance:115 miles
Time:2 hours 43 minutes
Start:Charleston
End:White Sulphur Springs

Starting in Charleston, you will have the opportunity to check out the West Virginia State Museum. For the majority of this route, you will follow alongside the Kanawha River. Between Charleston to Charlton Heights, you will pass by the Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens and Montgomery Memorial Park.

Continuing from Charleton to Crawley, you will catch sight of the Kanawha River Museum, Gauley River Bridge, Cathedral Falls, Mystery Hole, and Hawk’s Nest State Park.

As you make progress towards White Sulphur Springs, you may be able to check out the stands at the WV Renaissance Festival if you are lucky enough to come when it is set up. You can also explore the Lost World Caverns and Greenbrier State Forest as you get closer to your final destination.

Distance:118 miles
Time:2 hours 51 minutes
Start:Charmco
End:Buckhannon

Embarking from Charmco, much of the lower sections of this road will not be as well-paved so you should be mindful when riding over rough terrain. As you head northward, you will travel through and skirt around the western edges of the Monongahela National Forest.

After you leave Monongahela National Forest, you will pass by Lover’s Lane Boardwalk and Camp Holly. Eventually, you will intersect with the western edge of Holly River State Park along the Laurel Fork.

Continuing to wind towards Buckhannon, you will pass by the Fidler Mill, West Virginia State Wildlife Center, Grub Hollow, and Upshur County Recreational Park. Much of your surroundings will be rolling countryside full of sprawling pastures and thickly forested hills. 

Distance:34 miles
Time:42 minutes
Start:Mill Point
End:WV-150

Taking a roundabout route around the western side of the Monongahela National Forest, you will first come across the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Shortly after the first bend within the Monongahela National Forest, you can take the hiking trail up to the High Rocks.

Continuing northward, you will get the chance to scan the surrounding wilderness from the William River Valley, Big Spruce, and Little Laurel Overlooks. You also have the opportunity to take a hike up the North-South, Big Beechy, Honeycomb Rocks, Gauley Mountain, and Red Spruce Knob Trailheads.

Much of your surroundings will alternate between the plateaus and the highlands with plenty of dense forests. The road tends to stay relatively isolated and has lots of good curves for you to navigate.

Distance:39 miles
Time:1 hour 9 minutes
Start:Mill Creek
End:Rock Cave

Starting in Mill Creek, you can sample drinks at the Mill Creek Pub or grab a quick lunch at the Pizza & Sub Shoppe. As you head westward, you will ride over rolling hills and travel through tree tunnels with the canopy filtering the sunlight overhead.

After arriving in Helvetia, you could take a slight detour towards the south and check out the Helvetia Historic Hilltop Farm. Continuing onward, you will start to travel alongside Buckhannon River. You may be able to check out the beverages at Fullmoon or see the branching of the Buckhannon River in the town of Alexander.

As you draw closer to Rock Cave, you will travel atop ridges that help give you high views of the nearby small communities and surrounding landscape. If the season is right, you could get to pick up fresh produce from the Green Acres Farm & Greenhouse. 

Distance:25 miles
Time:35 minutes
Start:Berkeley Springs
End:Paw Paw

As you look around Berkeley Springs, you may get to take part in outdoor activities at David Henry Memorial Park or Berkeley Springs Bike & Skate Park. If you are looking for an unusual historical site, you can check out the remains of George Washington’s Bathtub.

As you curve around Cacapon Road, you will pass by Widmeyer Wildlife Management Area. Coasting along the wilderness, make sure to be careful of any deer that may be crossing the road. If you head up to Prospect Peak, you will find spots that overlook the dense forests below and are perfect for taking pictures.

Continuing southward, most of your surroundings will include quaint farms, scenic overlooks, mountains, and rivers. As you curve around the last bend before you head straight for Paw Paw, you can get an ice cream cone at Purple Cow Soft Serve.

Distance:126 miles
Time:2 hours 41 minutes
Start:Elkins
End:Summersville

Heading southward away from Elkins, you will eventually enter into the northwestern region of the Monongahela National Forest. You will travel alongside the Tygart Valley River on the Seneca Trail which will eventually take you beside the Valley Bend Wetland Wildlife Management Area.

Continuing in the same direction, you will pass in between Kumbrabow State Forest and Monongahela National Forest. You may be able to make out Mill Creek Falls in the distance. As you swerve through the wilderness, you will pass by Tea Creek, Handley, and Cranberry Wildlife Management Areas.

Eventually intersecting with the Highland Scenic Highway, you will have the opportunity to take a hike up the North-South, Big Beechy, Honeycomb Rocks, Gauley Mountain, and Red Spruce Knob Trailheads.

Distance:196 miles
Time:4 hours 38 minutes
Start:Parkersburg
End:Parkserburg

While you are still in Parkersburg, you can check out the exhibits at the Oil & Gas Museum or the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History. You can also take a stroll through Point Park or Quincy Park. The highlight of the city is Parkersburg City Park which has a swimming pool, sports facilities, and picnic sites.

As you exit the city, you will pass by Arlington Memorial Gardens. As you travel on the northern side of the loop, you will be alongside the Ohio River and the West Virginia-Ohio border. Traveling southward on the eastern side of the loop, you will be within the vicinity of Calhoun County Park and Upper West Fork Park.

Turning west on the southern side of the loop, you will catch sight of Wallback Lake as you wind around Jennings Randolph Highway and Clay Road. Approaching the final leg of the journey, you will head north on the west side of the loop while traveling alongside the Little Kanawha River.

Distance:93 miles
Time:2 hours 10 minutes
Start:Summersville, WV
End:Warm Springs, VA

Heading east away from Summersville, you will enter the western region of the Monongahela National Forest. Diving into the heart of the wilderness, you will get to admire Falls of Hills Creek and Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. If you wish to take time off of your motorcycle, you can check out Tri-Rivers Rail Trail, Summit Lake Campground, or Kennison Mountain Trailhead.

Leaving the Monongahela National Forest behind and entering the George Washington National Forest, you will be able to scout out the Marlington Creek & Campground close to the entrance. Continuing on Huntersville Road, you will pass by Devils Backbone, Possum Hollow, and Buzzard Hollow.

Crossing over the border into Virginia, you will encounter Fort Dinwiddie along the way as you draw closer to Warm Springs. Within the vicinity of the town is the Warm Springs Valley and the Bath County Historical Society. 

Distance:Kingwood
Time:1 hour 21 minutes
Start:Kingwood
End:Dry Fork District

If you happen to be in Kingwood during the right season, you may get to witness the Preston County Buckwheat Festival. If you are willing to take a detour northward, you should be able to see the exotic wildlife being kept at Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo.

Traveling southward alongside the Cheat River, you will eventually arrive in Rowlesburg. As you explore the town, you will be able to relax in Rowlesburg Park or check out the exhibits at the Greatest Generation Museum.

Continuing to head south, you will enter the northern tip of the Monongahela National Forest via the Cheat Valley Highway. As you continue to wind around the slowly narrowing Cheat River, you will transition onto Dry Fork Road.

Getting closer to the end of the route, you will pass by Table Rock, Red Run Falls, and Dry Fork Trailhead. Most of the road should be well-paved after you have passed Rowlesburg, but you should keep an eye out for any red clay fragments scattered on the surface of the road.

Distance:37 miles
Time:52 miles
Start:Elkins
End:Thomas

As you head northward away from Elkins, you will pass by the Mountain State Memorial Gardens. If you prefer more excitement, you could check out the vehicles at the Elkins Raceway. As you continue to travel on Seneca Trail, you will eventually enter the northwestern region of the Monongahela National Forest.

Continuing to wind through the wilderness, you will pass by Shingletree Trail before you make it to Parson. While you are exploring Parson, you can take a gander through River City Park and Mill Race Park.

For the remainder of the trip, you will continue to wind around on Seneca Trail until you exit on the eastern side of Monongahela National Forest. You will pass by Olson Tower and Fred Long Centennial Park before you make it to Thomas.

Putting on a three-quarter or full-face helmet, riders of every legal age range need head protection to reduce the probability of suffering head trauma in the event of a collision.

There is no limitation on the legal age range for passengers to ride with you. But to confirm your passenger’s safety, s/he must be able to grip the handholds and footrests positioned close to the back seat. 

If your motorcycle is forced to stop due to defective equipment, it can be difficult or take a long time for repairs to be done by you or roadside assistance. When you are home, it is less of a hassle to inspect your motorcycle on your own time.

Since you cannot be sure that your motorcycle parts are still working unless you give them a closer look, make sure to at least check the following:

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front & Rear Brakes
• Controls
• Headlight
• Taillight
• Brake Light
• Turn Signals
• Exhaust System
• Muffler
• Rearview Mirrors

Unless you want to risk getting a ticket or into an accident, you must refrain from lane splitting in West Virginia.

Since you never know when being knowledgeable about West Virginia’s motorcycle laws could be helpful, you may want to consider clicking the link here.

Though West Virginia may have a landscape suitable for your motorcycle to travel on, you will not be able to enjoy your motorcycle trip to the fullest if you lack familiarity with this state’s notable sites, diverse terrain, and motorcycle laws. The purpose of a motorcycle trip is to have fun exploring and spending time with your favorite vehicle. But if you are not careful when on the road, your vacation could easily end up turning into a disaster.

If you are an out-of-state tourist, the motorcycle laws in West Virginia could differ greatly from the regulations you are used to back home. Memorizing the rules of the road and adjusting the way you operate a motorcycle will help keep you from getting into trouble with the police.

Regardless of how much distance you plan to travel or how many days your West Virginia motorcycle trip will last, you should make sure to examine the condition of your motorcycle before every ride. You should also make sure to attach motorcycle luggage that suits the model, year, and make of the vehicle you own so that none of your belongings fly off into the wind.

As West Virginia has no shortage of motorcycle roads, it is possible to research and find other exciting routes to take your motorcycle on. Whether covering a long or short distance, they may have roadside attractions that pique your interest. Or perhaps you are more interested in navigating the twisties, swerves, and switchbacks as a way to test your riding skills.