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Gravel & Bikepacking

Mon Forest Towns Route Network

West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest region offers gravel routes for every rider, from short rail-trail loops to multi-day backcountry circuits. Browse all 60+ routes below and filter by towns and ride types to find the right ride for your next trip!

All
Day Ride 41
Multi-Day 6
Overnighter 25
Ride to Mon 12
A weathered sign on a forest trail reads "Entering George Washington National Forest." Sunlight filters through tall trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
Day Ride | Overnighter

Sweet Reddish Sugar

67.9

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

8478

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

43

ย %

GRAVEL

Challenging gravel loop from Franklin climbing to Reddish Knob on the WV/VA border, with sweeping Appalachian views, stream crossings, and Cold War history along the way.
Ride Details
A cyclist with a long beard rides a mountain bike on a gravel path through lush, green forest. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
Multi-Day

Middle Mountain Mower

159.8

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

14889

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

73

ย %

GRAVEL

Epic 3-4 day bikepacking loop from Elkins through remote western Mon gravel, linking Mower Basin, Bald Knob, and Civil War earthworks at Cheat Summit Fort.
Ride Details
Photo Credit Jonny Ramirez
Day Ride

Big Ditch Raiders

18

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

1836

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

63

ย %

GRAVEL

Easy gravel loop from Cowen past Big Ditch Lake and quiet Coon Creek hollows through Webster County farmland and timber-era backcountry.
Ride Details
Cyclist in a red jacket rides a bicycle across a narrow suspension bridge over a river, surrounded by lush green trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Overnighter

Gaudineer’s Watch

86.7

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

9129

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

81

ย %

GRAVEL

Demanding bikepacking loop from Durbin across remote backcountry ridgelines, climbing Buffalo Mountain and Back Allegheny through the upper Greenbrier's red spruce highlands.
Ride Details
The image shows a grand capitol building with a golden dome, surrounded by trees. A statue stands before it under a soft sunset sky, creating a serene atmosphere.
Ride to Mon

Charleston, WV to Cowen

131.2

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

9818

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

40

ย %

GRAVEL

Paved and gravel connector from Charleston along the Kanawha River and 40-mile Elk River Trail through Gassaway and Sutton to Cowen and the western Mon Forest.
Ride Details
Aerial view of lush, green mountains under a vibrant blue sky with fluffy white clouds. A winding road cuts through the forest, conveying tranquility.
Day Ride

Spring Run Trout Hatchery

30

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

4714

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

54

ย %

GRAVEL

Brutal and rewarding gravel near Petersburg with big climbs, loose descents, and sweeping views over the South Branch Potomac headwaters and pristine trout streams.
Ride Details
Foggy landscape with overgrown railway tracks leading to a distant red brick building. Lush green trees surround the scene, creating a serene, abandoned atmosphere.
Ride to Mon

Morgantown, WV to Parsons

78.1

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

7899

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

43

ย %

GRAVEL

Gravel bikepacking route from Morgantown along Deckers Creek Trail through Preston County, linking Kingwood, Rowlesburg, and the Cheat River valley to Parsons.
Ride Details
A serene forest path covered in fallen leaves, bordered by lush green trees and old wooden fences, evoking a peaceful, autumnal atmosphere.
Day Ride | Overnighter

Reddish Knob Highline

49.9

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

5781

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

65

ย %

GRAVEL

From the Sweetwater Farm Trail Center, scale Reddish Knob's legendary gravel death climb with panoramic views across the Shenandoah Valley and WV highlands.
Ride Details
A cyclist in a blue shirt rides along a pebbled path by a serene river. Lush green trees arch overhead, with reflections creating a tranquil scene.
Multi-Day

Cranberry Wilds

146.8

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

13007

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

68

ย %

GRAVEL

Expansive southern Mon bikepacking circuit from Richwood through the Cranberry River corridor, Greenbrier River Trail, Watoga State Park, and Cranberry Glades botanical area.
Ride Details
A gravel bike with red handlebars sits on a lush, green forest path. The sun filters through dense trees, creating a serene and adventurous atmosphere.
Day Ride | Overnighter

Williams Cranberry Tea

61.8

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

3752

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

56

ย %

GRAVEL

Signature Mon Forest loop tracing the Williams and Cranberry Rivers through premier trout country, with dispersed camping and car-free riding on gated forest roads.
Ride Details
A group of cyclists, including children, ride on a scenic paved trail beside a pond with fountains, surrounded by lush greenery and distant hills, on a sunny summer day in Parsons, West Virgina
Day Ride | Overnighter

Laurel Mountain Loop

54.3

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

4620

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

22

ย %

GRAVEL

Advanced gravel loop linking Parsons, Elkins, and Belington across Laurel Mountain, featuring Civil War history, rail corridors, and a beloved bakery gravel hub.
Ride Details
A lush forest surrounds a tranquil river, reflecting the dense greenery. A lone cyclist crosses a narrow bridge, adding a sense of serenity and exploration.
Multi-Day

Mon Circuit 600

594.4

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

54749

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

54

ย %

GRAVEL

The Mon Circuit 600 links all twelve Mon Forest Towns in a grand bikepacking tour with 50,000 feet of climbing, three high peaks, and remote Appalachian gravel throughout.
Ride Details
A cyclist on a gravel path rides through rolling green hills and trees under a partly cloudy sky, conveying a sense of adventure and tranquility.
Ride to Mon

Washington, DC to Petersburg

148.8

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

13685

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

34

ย %

GRAVEL

Ambitious 2-3 day bikepacking connector from Washington DC's Metrorail through Loudoun County, Shenandoah Valley, and Lost River to Petersburg and the Mon Forest.
Ride Details
Photo Credit Jonny Ramirez
Day Ride

Camp 70 Gravel

9.8

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

289

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

100

ย %

GRAVEL

Flat gravel out-and-back from Davis through Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge to Camp 70, with open valley views, wildlife habitat, and singletrack access.
Ride Details
Aerial view of a lush, green forest with scattered autumn colors. A distant fire observation tower sits among rolling mountains under a sky filled with soft clouds at sunset.
Day Ride | Overnighter

Seneca State Forest

39.6

ย MI

DISTANCE โ†’

2527

ย FT

ELEVATION โ†‘

80

ย %

GRAVEL

Gravel and singletrack loop from Marlinton through Seneca State Forest, with the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, Seneca Lake, and overnight cabin and camping options.
Ride Details
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Disclaimer and Terms of Use: User assumes all risk and liability for any action in relation to usage of information and routes on RideWithGPS, monforesttowns.org, and bikepackingroots.org, including if actions result in injury, death, loss or damage of personal property or other complications. The Mon Forest Towns Partnership, Bikepacking Roots, MountainRides WV, Village to Village Press, LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors accept no liability. Route information and advice is provided as a planning resource only, and is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete, and in no way should replace your own due diligence, research, and safety precautions. All users are advised to check current conditions before embarking on any route, including weather, surface conditions and closures. Users should obey all laws including public and private land usage restrictions and guidelines and carry adequate safety and navigational equipment.

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