Southern West Virginia is known for its scenic beauty and mountainous terrain. These hills lend themselves to great ATV riding at Hatfield and McCoy Trails or Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park. But off-road motorsports aren’t the only fun these hills give riders.
This rural area is also a motorcycle riders’ paradise. With miles of two-lane roads connecting dozens of small towns all
across the coalfields and countryside, riders can cruise for hours and never touch the same piece of blacktop twice. And not only are the rides scenic, but they take you through areas with tons of history.
We contacted longtime local Harley rider and bug connoisseur (biker joke), Mike Larocco, to make sure the rides we are recommending are enjoyable for someone who had logged many miles in the seat. Here are a few of what he considers the best motorcycle rides in this area.
The Rides
- State Rt 92 – Access this route off I-64 at White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County. This road travels northeast, and most of the way it is within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest. It is an most excellent ride to see the leaves change in the fall.
- State Rt 219 – Access off of Rt. 460 in VA at Rich Creek you quickly enter WV at Peterstown in Monroe County. This ride goes through many neat WV towns including Union, Ronceverte and Lewisburg. If you’re so inclined you can take it all the way to Niagara Falls.
- State Rt. 60 – This trek goes from Charleston to the WV/VA state line past White Sulphur Springs. It was designated the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway in 2000, and has a non-profit dedicated to preserve and enhance the areas along the trail.
- State Routes 19, 16, 54, 97, 52 and 20 – This winding route goes through 4 counties and takes you right through the heart of the southern WV coalfields. It covers over 130 miles of the backbone of coal country. A great ride with plenty of stops for the history buff.
These are some of the routes in southern WV that offer spectacular views and great towns to visit along the way. Some of the other routes that add to the great riding listed above are State Routes 3, 20, 28, 33, 39, 55, and 150.
Mike points out that he’s only recommended some of the great riding this state has to offer. He also wants to remind riders to pay close attention when riding in rural areas. Wildlife, large trucks, and rough roads will be encountered at some point. Be aware and be prepared.
Where do you like to ride in southern West Virginia?