Itineraries
Laurel Fork Scenic Loop
Journey Overview
Laurel Fork Scenic Loop is a three-day highland circuit from Elkins through Seneca Rocks and Durbin, offering experienced hikers panoramic views from historic observation towers, Spruce Knob’s subalpine forests, and Seneca Rocks’ iconic fins. The route features full-day outings on moderate trails, including the Seneca Creek Backcountry. Designed for adults comfortable with moderate-to-challenging terrain and remote backcountry conditions, this loop showcases the Monongahela National Forest’s most dramatic landscapes and sweeping Allegheny Highlands vistas.
Best Times to Visit
Late May through early June and mid-September through mid-October offer ideal conditions.
- Wildflowers peak in late spring; fall foliage typically reaches its height at these elevations in early to mid-October
- Forest roads to high-elevation trailheads are reliably passable; winter snow closes many access roads.
- Major recreation facilities (campgrounds, visitor centers, cafes) operate seasonally from late spring through fall.
- Clear weather windows are more common, maximizing the spectacular long-range views these trails offer
Itinerary
Day 1: Elkins to Seneca Rocks
Morning
Breakfast in Downtown Elkins
Start the day with coffee and breakfast at one of Elkins’ local favorites
- TipTop Cafe: Offers specialty coffee drinks and pastries in a modern space
- Byrd’s House of Donuts: Open early serving wide array of freshly-made donuts.
- The Crossing Coffee Bar: Inside the Delmonte Market, features specialty lattes, daily lunch specials, and a cute shopping area.
- Scottie’s of Elkins: provides classic American diner fare with breakfast served all day.
Option A: Bickle Knob Observation Tower
High atop a ridge overlooking Otter Creek Wilderness, this historic 1933 Civilian Conservation Corps fire tower offers 360-degree panoramic views of Randolph County. On clear days, distant windmills in Tucker and Barbour counties are visible. The short walk from the parking area takes less than five minutes, making this an excellent warm-up viewpoint before longer hikes.
- Distance: 0.2 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 40 feet
- Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Option B: Bear Heaven Recreation Area
Located along the same forest road, this primitive campground and day use area features unique rock outcroppings and boulder formations. The area offers opportunities for scrambling and exploration among the interesting geological features, with sites nestled along the ridgetop near Otter Creek Wilderness.
Midday
Explore Downtown Elkins and Lunch
Return to Elkins to explore the charming downtown area and grab lunch before the afternoon drive. The historic railroad town offers a walkable main street with shops, galleries, and several dining options.
Dining options in Elkins:
- The Forks Inn: American comfort food in a riverside setting
- CJ Maggie’s: Casual American cuisine with an extensive menu
- Bambino’s Bistro: Italian fare including wood-fired pizzas
- Smoke on the Water BBQ: Relaxed atmosphere with a wide array of traditional smoked meats.
Directions to Seneca Rocks
From Elkins, head east on US-33 for approximately 35 miles through the mountain pass. The route climbs through forested highlands before descending into the scenic North Fork Valley. Watch for the dramatic profile of Seneca Rocks appearing on the left as the destination approaches.
Afternoon
Seneca Rocks Trail
One of West Virginia’s most iconic natural landmarks, Seneca Rocks rises nearly 900 feet above the North Fork Valley. This dramatic Tuscarora quartzite formation attracts rock climbers from across the eastern United States, with more than 375 mapped climbing routes. The hiking trail ascends to an observation platform offering spectacular views of the valley and surrounding mountains. The trail is well-maintained with benches for rest stops along the steeper sections.
- Distance: 3.6 miles (out-and-back)
- Elevation Gain: 900 ft
- Estimated Time: 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Night
Dinner in Seneca Rocks Area
- Front Porch Restaurant: Local favorite serving hearty American fare with mountain views
- Yokum’s Store: General store with fast casual meals, deli items, and picnic supplies.
Sunset at Bear Rocks Preserve & Dolly Sods Wilderness
Cap the day with a drive to Bear Rocks Preserve and Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, one of West Virginia’s most photographed locations. The 477-acre Nature Conservancy preserve sits atop the Allegheny Plateau at over 4,100 feet, offering dramatic eastward views across the Potomac River Valley where seven mountain ridges are visible on clear days. The windswept landscape of heath barrens, stunted red spruce, and sculptured boulders creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere, particularly striking at sunset. Allow approximately 45 minutes for the drive from Seneca Rocks via Forest Road 75.
Bear Rocks Trail
- Distance: 0.75 mile Loop
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet
- Estimated Time: 0.5-1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
Lodging Options:
- Yokum’s Vacationland: Cabins, teepees, and camping near Seneca Rocks
- Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins: Full-service cabins in the Smoke Hole area
- Seneca Shadows Campground: Forest Service campground with views of Seneca Rocks (seasonal)
- Spruce Knob Lake and Gatewood Campgrounds: Forest service campgrounds atop Spruce Knob.
- Red Creek Campground: Primitive camping near Dolly Sods
Day 2: Seneca Rocks to Durbin
Morning
Grab Supplies at Yokum’s
Stop at Yokum’s general store for coffee and picnic supplies. Pack a substantial lunch, as the day’s hiking will take place in remote areas without nearby services.
Whispering Spruce Trail at Spruce Knob
Begin at West Virginia’s highest point (4,863 feet) with this short loop trail around the summit. The alpine-like environment features wind-sculpted red spruce trees, exposed rock outcrops, and far-reaching views in all directions. An observation tower provides 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding highlands. The unique high-elevation ecosystem creates a stark, beautiful landscape quite different from the forests below.
- Distance: 0.5 miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet (with tower climb)
- Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Midday/Afternoon
Choose one of the following longer hikes (pack a picnic lunch):
Option A: Seneca Creek Trail
The most popular option follows a former railroad corridor along crystal-clear Seneca Creek, passing numerous small waterfalls, swimming holes, and excellent backcountry campsites. The trail is relatively flat, making it accessible while still offering beautiful scenery. Multiple creek crossings require waterproof footwear or a willingness to get feet wet. The trail accesses the larger Spruce Knob-Seneca Creek Backcountry trail system.
- Distance: 10 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 800 feet
- Estimated Time: 4-5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Option B: Huckleberry + Horton + Lumberjack Trail Loop
For those wanting variety in scenery, this loop from the Spruce Knob parking area descends through spruce forest on the Huckleberry Trail, connects via the Horton Trail, and returns on the Lumberjack Trail. The route passes a 1960s-era plane wreck and traverses diverse terrain from dense forest to open areas. Expect muddy sections on the Lumberjack Trail. Navigation skills recommended.
- Distance: 10.5 miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
- Estimated Time: 5-5.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
Option C: Huckleberry Trail (Out-and-Back)
This route from the Spruce Knob summit descends through dense, moss-covered rocky forest with an enchanting, almost Pacific Northwest atmosphere. The trail passes through small clearings and spruce groves before reaching a ridge with spectacular views. The character shifts dramatically from alpine summit to deep forest over the course of the hike.
- Distance: 9 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Estimated Time: 3.5-4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Night
Drive to Durbin for Dinner
After the hike, drive south to the small railroad town of Durbin for dinner. The drive takes approximately one hour via US-33 and US-250 through scenic highland valleys.
- Station 2 Restaurant: Comfort food in the heart of Durbin
- Rustic Roots Bar & Grill: Locally inspired American bar favorites
Lodging Options:
- Station 2 Motel: Basic accommodations attached to the restaurant
- Vacation rentals: Several options available in the Durbin area
- Island Campground: Shaded Forest Service campground south of Durbin (seasonal)
- Stonecoal Dispersed Camping: Riverside Forest Service dispersed campground north of Durbin (seasonal)
Day 3: Durbin Area to Elkins
Morning
Breakfast at Simply Sweet Cafe
Start the day with coffee and a hearty breakfast at Simply Sweet Cafe in Durbin. The menu includes signature lattes, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and fresh-baked treats.
Smoke Camp Knob Trail
This steep climb to the site of a former fire tower rewards hikers with expansive 180-degree views stretching to Spruce Knob and into Virginia. The trail begins on WV Route 28, north of Durbin, and ascends through the Rothkugel Plantation, an interpretive area documenting early-20th-century reforestation efforts. The overlook at the summit was recently cleared and remains relatively unknown, offering a quiet alternative to more popular viewpoints.
- Distance: 4 miles out-and-back
- Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet
- Estimated Time: 2-2.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging (steep sections)
Midday
Green Bank Observatory
Visit the home of the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. The Green Bank Observatory is located within the National Radio Quiet Zone, a 13,000-square-mile area where radio transmissions are restricted to protect sensitive astronomical observations. Guided tours lead visitors to the telescope grounds, while the Science Center features interactive exhibits that explain radio astronomy. The facility offers a blend of wild forest landscapes and high-tech experiments with nearly 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Note: Cell phones and electronic devices must be powered off on observatory grounds.
Lunch Options:
Starlight Cafe: Located in the Green Bank Science Center; serves freshly-made sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and hand-dipped ice cream with views of the telescope.
Or return to Durbin for lunch at Simply Sweet Cafe or Station 2.
Afternoon
Gaudineer Knob Scenic Area
Drive north on US-250 toward Elkins and stop at the Pocahontas-Randolph county line for one of the most beautiful short trails in the forest. This National Natural Landmark protects approximately 50 acres of virgin red spruce forest that escaped logging due to a surveying error in the 1800s. You have two half-mile loop options: the scenic loop and the interpretive old-growth trail. Individual trees reach 40 inches in diameter and are over 300 years old. The moss-covered forest floor and cathedral-like atmosphere make this a remarkable glimpse of West Virginia’s original highland forest.
- Distance: 0.5 miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet
- Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Hawks Ridge Loop Trail (Mower Basin)
Continue north on US-250 and turn onto Forest Road 227 to reach the Mower Basin trail system. Hawks Ridge Loop offers a fitting finale to the trip, traversing both open ridgeline with sweeping views and dense mossy spruce forest. The trail crosses a former strip mine that is undergoing ecological restoration, offering a unique perspective on land reclamation. The contrast between exposed ridgetop vistas and intimate forest passages encapsulates the diversity experienced throughout the three-day journey.
- Distance: 2.5-2.7 miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 250 feet
- Estimated Time: 1-1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
Night
Return to Elkins for Dinner and Evening Entertainment
Complete the circuit with dinner and evening activities in Elkins. The town offers several dining options and opportunities to experience Appalachian music and culture.
Evening options:
- Augusta Heritage Center & Arts Center: Check for live music performances, square dances, or other cultural events (schedule varies seasonally).
- Big Timber Brewing Company: Local craft brewery with a riverside taproom; does not serve food but welcomes outside food.
- Fox Hops Brewery: Women-owned craft brewery opened in 2024; serves house-made beers and food, including sandwiches and appetizers.
Planning Notes
Navigation and Cell Service
Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of this route, particularly around Dolly Sods, Spruce Knob, and Green Bank (within the National Radio Quiet Zone). Download offline maps before departing and carry paper maps for backcountry areas. GPS devices that do not emit radio signals are permitted at Green Bank Observatory.
Weather Considerations
High-elevation areas like Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods, and Bear Rocks experience significantly cooler temperatures and more frequent precipitation than surrounding valleys. Conditions can change rapidly; bring layers regardless of the season. The exposed ridgelines at Bear Rocks and Dolly Sods experience strong, persistent winds.
Road Conditions
Several destinations require travel on Forest Service roads. Forest Road 75 to Bear Rocks Preserve is unpaved but passable for most vehicles in dry conditions. Forest Road 104 to Spruce Knob is largely paved but narrow and winding. Forest Road 227 to Mower Basin is gravel. These roads are not maintained in winter and may be impassable when covered in snow.
Wildlife
Black bears are present throughout this region; practice proper food storage and leave no trace. The high-elevation areas support species typically found much farther north, including snowshoe hare and saw-whet owl. Timber rattlesnakes occur in rocky areas at lower elevations.
Leave No Trace
Many of these trails pass through sensitive high-elevation ecosystems or protected natural areas. Stay on established trails, pack out all trash, and respect wilderness regulations. The old-growth forest at Gaudineer Scenic Area is particularly fragile; remain on the trail to avoid damaging root systems and understory vegetation.