Big Rocks and Back Roads near Golden Anchor Cabins
This is Daniel from Golden Anchor Cabins back again writing about some of the best motorcycle rides and road trips you can take in West Virginia. Earlier I got us started with a few shorter loops based out of our cabins. If you want to read about looping around Elkins, Parsons and Oakland, check it out here. For this post I want to branch out a bit and explore a little deeper into the Potomac Highlands.
Don’t Listen to the Locals
Firstly, I want to give bikers that have never traveled in this area a word of advice. Don’t go to Dolly Sods with your bike. The locals are going to tell you how beautiful it is up there. Unquestionably it is beautiful. But it is also miles and miles of bumpy, dusty gravel roads. There will be a toll on you and your ride if you try to get there. There are better options that will get you that same panoramic mountain vista thrill. I’m going to focus specifically on getting you to the best overlooks around in part II of my biker friendly loop blog series called Our Favorite Motorcycle Rides in West Virginia.
Seneca Rocks and Petersburg – Our Favorite Motorcycle Road Trips in West Virginia
Follow this route on Google Maps
- full loop – 96 miles
- 2 hour drive
- Allegheny Mountain
- Seneca Rocks
- Smokehole Caverns
- Cheetah B’s Petersburg
- Rt 48 overlook
- Mt Storm Lake
Since Dolly Sods is out of the question for a trip on a bike, this route is as close as you can get for those epic mountain views.
First we will head south on Rt 32 to Harman and onto Rt 33 East. Note – Camden’s Corner Mart in Dryfork is the only gas station for at least the first sixty miles of the trip. Gas up if you’re running on E.
Just A few miles outside of Harman there is a turnout at the top of Allegheny Mountain by a big red barn. From here you can get a beautiful view of Pocahontas County before dipping back down the mountain to some of the windier bits of 33 as you head toward Seneca Rocks. You’ll know it when you get there. You’ll see the giant rock crag before you get to the intersection of Rts 33 and 28.
Seneca Rocks
There is a great discovery center at the base of Seneca Rocks where you can learn about the formations and the history of the area. They also have a very cool diorama of the mountain region of WV. Find Canaan Valley on there – it looks like a giant footprint! There are a few small walking trails around the property and a 1.5 mile hike to the observation tower at the top of the rocks. This is a relentlessly rising trail with a significant elevation change but the view from the top is amazing!
Smoke Hole Caverns
From Seneca Rocks, take Rt 28 North 17 miles to our next stop, Smoke Hole Caverns. Smoke Hole Caverns is a pristine cave system that offers guided tours every hour. It is a very mild and safe tour, you won’t even be asked to wear a helmet. Nonetheless, Some of the formations are out-of-this-world! Their claims to fame include the largest ribbon stalactite in the world and one of the tallest ceilings of any cavern in the eastern United States. There is also a huge gift shop there as well if you’d like to get a keepsake from the trip.
Cheetah B’s
A few short miles up the road is a roadside family restaurant that shouldn’t be overlooked. Cheetah B’s is one of the top reviewed restaurants in West Virginia. Not only that but I’ve had several good experiences there myself and highly recommend them. You can read more about Cheetah B’s in our 11 Best Restaurants of Potomac Highlands post.
They also post lots of food photos their Facebook page if you want a peek at their upcoming specials!
Rt 42 bypass and Rt 48 overlook at Bizmarck
There are several roads that will to get you our next stop from Petersburg but I prefer picking up Rt 42 and traveling through Maysville and up the winding hill of the Union Highway. It’s most important to follow the map closely here to turn onto Rt 48. Here we will detour away from Davis briefly. The overlook just down the road from Bizmark on Rt 48 is in short, breath taking! Make a U-turn at the next intersection on 48 and head back toward Davis.
The Mt Storm Lake is nothing super special but is worth driving by if only for a peek and an excuse to take a few miles of the old road before getting back on Rt 48 and heading into Davis. I’ll cover Davis later but I would mention that there are several restaurants, bars and recreation opportunities there. At Davis you can finally pick Rt 32 back up and head South back to your cabin which completes one of our motorcycle road trips in West Virginia.
Smoke Hole Road and Franklin – Our Favorite Motorcycle Road Trips in West Virginia
Follow this route on Google Maps
- full loop – 107 miles
- 2 3/4 hour drive
- Seneca Rocks
- Smoke Hole Caverns
- North Fork Trailhead
- Franklin
- Germany Valley Overlook
- Seneca Caverns
While this is certainly not the longest loop I have planned for this series, this route might be the most adventurous! This trip starts like the previous route where you take Rt 32 to Rt 33 to Rt 28 to Smoke Hole Caverns. But here is where we will diverge from the previous trip.
View from Smoke Hole Road
Shortly after passing the caverns, turn right onto Smoke Hole Road and start climbing the hill. Not more than a half of a mile after turning onto this road you will wind your way to the top of the hill. When the fields open up at the top, find a wide place to stop because there are some stunning views to take in! At this point the route is paved but also remote and twisty.
North Fork Mountain Trail and Chimney Rock
If you’re up for a vigorous walk at this point on your trip, you’re a few miles from a parking area that is also a trailhead point for the North Fork Mountain Trail. 2 1/2 miles away and also 1500 feet above you is Chimney Rock. This rock outcrop is a hidden gem that offers one of the best views in the state. Theoutbound.com has a great write-up explaining the 5 mile round trip hike to Chimney Rock.
Franklin and Warner’s Drive In
Smokehole Road (28/11) will twist its way through the Monongahela Forest for 18 miles. Eventually it will connect to Rt 220 near Upper Tract which you can take south to the town of Franklin. The Star Motel is a nice dining option for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Rt 220 will also take you by the Warner’s Drive-In. They are one of the last drive-in theaters in West Virginia, open on the weekends in the summer. Though this guarantees an hour long drive home in the dark, we find ourselves watching at least one summer blockbuster movie there just for this fun, nostalgic and unique experience.
Germany Valley Overlook
Leaving the town of Franklin, you will want to pick up Rt 33 west. Travel along 33 west until you crest North Mountain. On the way back down, watch for the parking turnout on the right hand side of the road because it pops up quick. The tree canopy opens briefly but it gives you a gorgeous view of Germany Valley. You’ll want to stop here because this is one of the most popular photo spots in the state!
Escape Underground at Seneca Caverns
From here it is but a short drive to Seneca Caverns. I prefer the tour here over Smoke Hole if only because you actually have to bend over a few times to avoid rock formations and you actually come out at a different point than you came in at. Unlike Smoke Hole, Seneca Caverns does close seasonally so check with them before making plans. Also Seneca Caverns has a great restaurant on the premises. Even if you don’t have time to take the tour, stop at Asbury’s Restaurant at Seneca Caverns. Undoubtedly, their Reuben sandwich is worth the detour!
Follow 5/5 a few miles to pick up Rt 33 West to travel back to Harman. Lastly, turn right onto Rt 32 North and follow to your cabin.
Our next Motorcycle Road Trips in West Virginia Adventure
That is it for this segment of Our Favorite Motorcycle Rides in West Virginia. Next time I plan to take you to the very top of West Virginia and to a zoo you’ve never heard of so watch for that post soon! If you’re interested in bringing your bike to West Virginia and want to stay in our cabins then drop me a line to goldenanchorcabins@gmail.com or call me at 304-704-8764. Finally, you can see cabin availability and book your stay at https://guest.rezstream.com/search/golden-anchor-cabins. Thanks for reading!
-Daniel
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