Gravel & Bikepacking

For riders who love sustained climbing on remote gravel roads and rugged forest tracks, this demanding bikepacking loop from Durbin explores both sides of the upper Greenbrier River valley in the west-central Monongahela National Forest. With more than 80% unpaved surfaces and a succession of long backcountry ridgelines, this is an effort earned through steady determination.

Highlights include climbing the historic turnpike toward Buffalo Mountain near Camp Allegheny, along with short sections of singletrack and reclaimed forest road that add texture to the ride. Notably, the final ¾ mile of descent to Shavers Fork near mile 71 features a rocky creek crossing and grassy doubletrack scattered with branches and occasional downed trees. Expect 15–20 minutes of hike-a-bike to reach an old bridge; from there, the route becomes fully rideable again.

Back Allegheny Mountain and Shavers Fork Mountain form a massive structural ridge system framing much of this route, divided only by Rt. 250. Their footprint lies almost entirely within Monongahela National Forest and is characterized by extensive red spruce stands, high-elevation flora and fauna, and environmentally sensitive ecosystems unique to these upper Allegheny highlands.

Gaudineer Knob rises within moss-draped spruce forests near the boundary of Randolph and Pocahontas Counties. Once home to a fire lookout tower, the site honors Donald H. Gaudineer, an early Monongahela National Forest ranger who led major reforestation efforts, road construction, and wildfire protection initiatives in the early 20th century. He tragically died in 1936 while attempting to rescue his children from a house fire. Today, the area stands as both an ecological preserve and a tribute to early forest stewardship.

Riders seeking a longer experience can link into the western 50+ miles of our Middle Mountain Mower Route (161 miles total), which overlaps this route in the opposite direction.