This 234 mile ride visits some great roads not covered in other rides. Highlights include US Route 33, Seneca Rocks, Germany Valley Overlook, Clover Hill Road, VA 257, VA 731, VA 42, US Route 250, Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Site, High’s Restaurant, VA 640, VA 84, VA 600, VA 39, VA 39 Hairpin, WV 92, Anthony Road, US 219, and the WV 219 View.
Start by riding south a short ways on U.S. 219. Turn left on U.S. Route 33 and enter the Monangahela National Forest. Route 33 is 90 miles of riding joy with great curves and scenery.
Seneca Rocks in WV
The first stop is Seneca Rocks. Enjoy the view of the serrated rocks while stopped at Yokum’s Store at the corner of Routes 33 and 28. Leave Yokum’s Store and ride briefly north on Route 28 to the scenic vista of Seneca Rocks.
Seneca Rocks are almost 900 feet tall and are very popular with Rock Climbers. Return to Yokum’s Store and then ride south on Route 33 to Riverton.
Germany Valley Overlook – photo Dave Hallock
Continue east on Route 33 to the Germany Valley Overlook. This gorgeous valley was originally settled by German (including Pennsylvania Dutch) farmers in the mid-18th century.
Leave Germany Valley and its great curves and descend the ridge and ride through Franklin and Brandywine.
US 33 near the West Virginia-Virginia border
The next stretch of US Route 33 near the Virginia border is my favorite. The road snakes up to the height at the border and then curves along a canyon wall down to the Dry River Valley.
The other trip rides did not make it this far east, but I did not want to miss this spectacular curvy stretch.
Descend from the mountains on US Route 33 along the Dry River to Hinton. Bear right on VA Route 732 (Coopers Mountain Road) to Dayton. Turn right on VA 613 (Clover Hill Road) and ride to Bridgewater. Ride VA 257, VA 731, and VA 42 to Churchville.
U.S. Route 250 from the Elkins To Lewisburg Ride
Turn right on U.S. Route 250 and prepare to climb. The road gets very twisty and fun as it approaches the Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Site. From the website: “A popular scenic viewing area for fall foliage, this winding 0.5 mile interpretive trail meanders along the top of Shenandoah Mountain. Relive the events of April 1862 through the letters of Captain Shepherd Pryor, a member of the 12th Georgia Regiment, to his wife. This is also a popular access point to the gently rolling Shenandoah Mountain Trail, and Ramseys Draft Wilderness.” There is a restroom and no fee.
Continue over more ridges and stop for lunch at High’s Restaurant in Monterey.
U.S. 250 in Monterey, VA
There view of the ridge ahead promises more great riding as soon as you leave Monterey. The road twists and turns up and over the ridge. It is some great riding.
Continue on Route 250 to Hightown. Turn left on VA Route 640 and follow it, VA 84, and VA 600 along rivers and lakes to VA Route 39 in Warm Springs.
VA 39 Hairpin in Warm Springs, VA
Turn right on Route 39 and ride the VA 39 Hairpin and across the border into West Virginia. Turn left on WV 92 and ride south through the Monongahela National Forest to White Sulfur Springs.
Anthony Creek in White Sulphur Springs, WV
Turn right on Anthony Road and ride west to US Route 219 in Maxwelton. Turn right and follow Route 219 to the hotel in Lewisburg.