Cycling Scenic West Virginia - Vistas and Panoramas

  • Highland Scenic Highway
  • North Fork Mountain from Spruce Knob
  • Spruce Knob Vista
  • Cheat River Drainage from Stemple Ridge
  • Cheat River Drainage from Stemple Ridge
  • Indian Creek at Red Sulphur Springs
  • Dropping into Upper Track.
  • Fort Spring Oxbow
  • Near Bozoo
  • Near Bozoo.
  • Droop Mountain Tower Overlook
  • Scenic Highway Overlook.
Highland Scenic Highway1 North Fork Mountain from Spruce Knob2 Spruce Knob Vista3 Cheat River Drainage from Stemple Ridge10 Cheat River Drainage from Stemple Ridge11 Indian Creek at Red Sulphur Springs12 Dropping into Upper Track.4 Fort Spring Oxbow5 Near Bozoo7 Near Bozoo.8 Droop Mountain Tower Overlook9 Scenic Highway Overlook.10

Some of my favorite vistas and panoramas from a bike.

Like most people, I enjoy scenic vistas and panoramas and West Virginia provides abundant high elevation views and there is no better way to enjoy them then from a bike. It is a lot more convenient to stop and enjoy the view while cycling than driving in a car. I’m not an avid climber, but when you are rewarded with a great view, it is worth the effort. Links are rides that include these vistas. Monroe County probably provides more per mile than any other County. This is probably facilitated by the large amount of farming in the county while other counties have potential high elevation views blocked by forest. PDF verson for those that want a hardcopy.

Spruce Knob - The highest point in the state at 4,863 feet is the premier mountain panorama in the state. The lookout tower and the short trail around the knob, provide a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. When the access road from route 33 near Riverton was paved to the top, a few years back, it provided road bikers with a climbing challenge with a fantastic scenic reward for your efforts. At 11.8 miles, this is likely the longest climb in the state, but probably not the most difficult. The first 4 miles average 8%, but after that, you have a decreasing grade till the very last kick up to the parking area. View Elevation: 4,863. Low Ground: 1,806
Spruce Knob Climb: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/SpruceKnobClimb/SpruceKnobClimb.html

Stemple Ridge - Preston County route 112 in Southern Preston County offers multiple great views of the Cheat River Valley, after a 7 mile climb up Location Road out of St. George in Tucker County. Location Road offers some great views over toward Backbone and Limestone Mountains. You can experience these views on the St. George or Macomber Loops. View Elevation: 2,800. Low Ground: 1,444
St. George Loop: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/St_GeorgeLoop.html
Macomber Loop

Red Sulphur Springs - The ridge on state route 12 above Red Sulphur Springs, near the junction of 21/2, offers a great view East of the Indian Creek drainage. If you can bring yourself to stop about half way on the two mile descent into Red Sulphur Springs at the church, you have a great view Southwest. You can take in these views on the Bozoo Loop. View Elevation: 1,960 - Low Ground: 1,540
Boxoo Loop: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/BozooLoop/BozooLoop.html

Droop State Park Overlook, offers a fantastic view of Hillsboro, and the Little Levels of Pocahontas County. The Hillsboro - Lobelia Loops offer several route options to arrive at the overlook.
View Elevation: 3,045. Low Ground: 2,026
Lobelia Loops: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/LobeliaLoop.html

Upper Track - Descending Rocky Mountain on County 1 into Upper Track provides a great view of the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac River.
View Elevation: 2,546. Low Ground: 1,435
Franklin - Upper Track Loop: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/Franklin_UpperTrackLoop.html

Highland Scenic Highway - It is not called the “Scenic” highway for nothing! Great views can be found in all directions from different portions of the road, but the ones from the Little Laurel and Red Lick pull offs are outstanding. You can find these views on The Upper Scenic Highway Loop. A three mile climb from the Williams River gets you to the Little Laurel Overlook.
View Elevation: 4,200. Low Ground: 2,140
Upper Scenic Highway Loop: http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/U_ScenicHwy/ScenicHighwayLoop.html

Fort Spring Oxbow - While climbing from the Greenbrier River at Fort Spring in Southern Greenbrier County, you have a great view of the former oxbow of the river. Once you get to the top, turn around and take a good look before you continue on toward Sinks Grove, but there are plenty more great views to come.
View Elevation: 2,056. Low Ground: 1,580
Muddy Creek - Sinks Grove Loop - http://www.cyclingscenicwv.com/Rides/MuddyCreek/MuddyCreek_SinksGroveLoop.html

Limestone Mountain offers great views east toward Backbone Mountain and also West of the Cheat River drainage.  Limestone Mountain Loop is one of my favorite scenic rides.  Great pavement (2020), low traffic and wonderful scenery.  

Texas Mountain on the like named Texas Mountain Loop also provides views of the Cheat River drainage like Limestone Mountain, but from the West side of the river.  If your legs are good, you can combine the Limestone Mt. Loop and the Texas Mountain Loop into one ride of 42 miles and 3,576 ft. of climbing.  The Texax Mountain Loop pdf includes the map and turn list for the combined ride.  

Disclaimer

The listing of routes on this site is not a guarantee of the safety of the route. Cycling has inherent risks and riders skills vary. Traffic conditions vary by time of day, season and local events. Road conditions can vary and change and may change dramatically over one winter season. Riders need to ride within their capabilities and be alert for road hazards and traffic at all times.

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This site, maps, photos and all materials created for this site are copyright of the author unless otherwise noted. They may NOT be posted on other sites or reproduced for sale or profit, without specific permission of the author. However, the maps and turn lists may be down loaded for personal, non profit use.

| Contact Us | ©2021 Dale Porter | Updated February 2021