Route 219. Route 60, and Route 39 are great riding roads. The WV 219 Scenic View, the Glade Creek Grist Mill in Babcock State Park, the New River Gorge Bridge, the Hawk’s Nest Overlook, the Highland Scenic Highway and the Droop Mountain Battlefield Park are all great things to see.
WV 219 View in Maxwelton, WV
This 246 mile ride begins with a short ride north on Route 219 to the WV 219 View in Maxwelton, WV. This spot affords views of the Greenbrier River Valley, the distant Allegheny Mountains, and the George Washington National Forest.
Continue north on Route 219. Turn left onto CR 23/CR 19 (Unus Rd.) This starts as a curvy single lane road and opens up into a beautiful 2-lane road with hilly farm views. Turn right on U.S. Route 60. This is great riding! The first great stretch straddles I-64. The curves are very fun and the pavement has been very good when I have ridden it. The second great stretch is from Rainelle to Route 41 to Babcock State Park. It is 2 lanes of great curves, elevation changes, and scenery. This is one of my favorite rides in West Virginia.
Blade Creek Grist Mill in Babcock State Park, WV
Turn left on Route 41 and ride into Babcock State Park (map) ($2). Park your bike and see the famous Glade Creek Grist Mill. The mill was built in 1976 as a replica of the original Cooper’s Mill that was located nearby. It is the most photographed mill in the United States. Park Headquarters and a gift shop are near the mill. There are hiking trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.
New River Gorge Bridge in WV
Return to U.S. 60 and follow it west to Hico. Turn south on U.S. 19 and ride it to the Canyon Rim Visitor’s Center at New River Gorge. The Visitor’s Center has a great view of the New River Gorge Bridge from the back deck. There is no fee.
Fayette Station Rd in WV
Leave the Visitor’s Center and ride down Fayette Station Road toward the river. From the National Park Service website: “Exploring Fayette Station Road is to travel back in time before the modern New River Gorge Bridge was built in 1977. This one hundred year-old road of hairpin turns winds down to the bottom of the gorge, across a narrow bridge, and up the other side. Visible along the way are vistas of the river and bridges, a hardwood forest, and remnants of the New River Gorge communities that once teemed with activity.”
Motorcycles on Fayette Station Rd in WV
It is a bit startling and wonderful the first time you come around a curve with the bridge above. The low perspective accentuates the grandeur of the bridge.
Fayette Station Bridge in Lansing, WV
The Fayette Station Bridge at the bottom of the gorge affords great views in both directions. The downriver northern view is dominated by the New River Gorge Bridge. The upriver southern view is a steep valley with a widening river that is popular with rafters.
Leave the river and climb back up toward U.S. 19. Turn right on Keller Avenue and follow it into Fayetteville. Keep your speed down as Fayetteville has a reputation for rigorous speed enforcement. Turn right on Route 16 and stop for lunch at the Secret Sandwich Society (review) or another spot in Fayetteville.
Hawk’s Nest Overlook in Ansted, WV
Continue on Route 16 north to U.S. 60. Turn right and ride to Hawk’s Nest State Park (map). Be sure to stop at the Hawk’s Nest Overlook (free).
There is another overlook just down the road called Lover’s Leap with a tram down to the river ($6.)
Highland Scenic Highway Map
Backtrack on U.S. 60 and follow it west to Route 16 in Gauley Bridge. Turn right on Route 16 and ride it north to Route 39. Turn right on Route 39 and continue through Summersville to Fenwick. Route 39 now enters the Monangahela National Forest and becomes part of the Highland Scenic Highway.
Stop at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center in Hillsboro. The center has some good nature displays, walking paths, and restrooms. There is no fee.
Williams River Valley Overlook in Hillsboro, WV
Pick up WV Route 150 across the street from the Nature Center and begin to climb. This part of the Highland Scenic Highway is reminiscent of the Blue Ride Parkway. There are 4 scenic overlooks with great views.
Descend to Route 219. Turn right and ride south. This stretch of Route 219 is my favorite and is one of my favorite roads in all of West Virginia. The curves are fantastic and the scenery is divine.
Droop Mountain Historical Sign in WV
Just south of Hillsboro, turn right into Droop Mountain Battlefield Park (map). The park is free and has multiple restrooms. It is a very pleasant ride through the park on paved roads with scenic views.
The Battle of Droop Mountain was one of the largest and last major American Civil War battles in West Virginia. The Confederate defeat ended organized Southern resistance in the new U.S. State.
Droop Mountain Battlefield Map
Look for the Lookout Tower sign as you enter the park. Make the first right after entering the park onto the spur road to the tower. It is easy to ride past it if you are not watching.
View from Droop Battlefield Tower in WV
Access the lookout platform via a few flights of stairs. The view from the top is special. During the battle, Confederate cannons placed here threatened the Union troops on the road below.
Union troops climbed the ridge towards the tower and tried to flank the position. Confederate troops retreated before they were surrounded.
Cannon from Droop Mountain Battlefield
Cannon are displayed on the battlefield including the famous Parrott 10 pounder. The Parrott rifle was a cast iron muzzle-loading rifled cannon that was adopted by the United States Army in 1861 and often used in field artillery units during the American Civil War. The Confederate States of America manufactured a number of successful copies of the gun.
Leave the park and turn right on Route 219. This next stretch down to Falling Spring is spectacular. The curves and scenery are a delight and will leave you with a big smile on your way back to the trip hotel in Lewisburg.