Forest Road 76 & 86 Closure
Ride Guide
This forest road loop follows two branches of the Cranberry River, beginning at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, where parking, restrooms, and interpretive exhibits provide a convenient starting point. The nature center is a worthwhile stop in itself, with engaging displays, books, and maps highlighting the natural and cultural history of the region. Seasonal ice cream is often available (note the center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
From the nature center, the route rolls down the Cranberry River on smooth gravel along one of West Virginia’s most celebrated trout streams. The clear, cold waters of the Cranberry attract anglers from across the region, and riders will often see fly fishermen casting along the shaded pools and riffles that define this scenic river corridor. A short detour early in the ride leads to the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, where an ADA-accessible boardwalk loops through rare high-elevation bogs filled with sphagnum moss, cranberries, and carnivorous plants.
Much of this route lies behind Forest Service gates, limiting access to nonmotorized recreation and creating a peaceful, car-free riding experience. At the turnaround point an Adirondack-style backcountry shelter provides a primitive camping option beside the river. With gentle grades and minimal traffic, this loop makes an excellent first bikepacking trip for families or riders looking to experience an overnight in the forest without steep climbs — just remember that the return ride follows Dogway Fork uphill back toward the nature center.
The climb up Dogway Fork is steady but manageable, averaging about 3–4% on relatively smooth gravel. Along the way, riders travel through quiet forests that connect to the broader Cranberry backcountry trail network, including mountain bike routes toward Poca Fork and other rugged singletrack celebrated by grassroots events like the Yew Mountain Doozy. Together, these rivers, forests, and quiet roads create one of the most accessible and scenic gravel rides in the Monongahela National Forest.
