8 Motorcycle Trips in West Virginia: The Best Scenic Rides in the Mountain State

No list of motorcycle trips in West Virginia would be complete without the New River Gorge.

Start in downtown Fayetteville and travel north on US-19 across the New River Gorge Bridge. Stop at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for one of the best views of the bridge.

From Canyon Rim, return to US-19 and travel north approximately 0.3 mile. Turn right onto Lansing-Edmond Road and then follow the signs for Fayette Station Road. This historic road drops from the rim of the gorge all the way to the New River through a series of tight hairpin turns. You'll ride underneath the massive bridge before crossing the river on the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge.

The National Park Service describes Fayette Station Road as an 8-mile, one-way route that generally requires 30 to 45 minutes without extended stops. Take your time. This is a road to enjoy rather than rush. For more to do in the area, see our New River Gorge National Park guide.

The Midland Trail is one of the classic motorcycle trips in West Virginia. Begin in Charleston and take US-60 east. The route initially follows the Kanawha River before entering increasingly mountainous terrain.

Continue toward Gauley Bridge, where you'll find one of the most scenic sections of US-60. Watch for Kanawha Falls and Cathedral Falls before beginning the climb toward Hawks Nest. Continue through Ansted and stop at Hawks Nest State Park for spectacular views of the New River.

From there, remain on US-60 through Rainelle and continue toward Lewisburg. The Midland Trail National Scenic Byway follows US-60 across this part of West Virginia, connecting Charleston with communities and attractions stretching toward White Sulphur Springs. For riders who love old-fashioned two-lane highways, this should be near the top of the list.

For mountain scenery, few motorcycle trips in West Virginia can compete with the Highland Scenic Highway. Begin in Richwood and travel east on WV-39/55. Follow the route until you reach WV-150, the Highland Scenic Highway.

WV-150 climbs high into the Monongahela National Forest, where several overlooks provide panoramic views across the Allegheny Mountains. Eventually WV-150 reaches US-219 north of Marlinton. From there, turn south on US-219 if you want to continue toward town.

The complete scenic byway is approximately 43 miles and passes through elevations exceeding 4,000 feet. Attractions in the area include Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek and Summit Lake. Allow extra time for overlooks because you'll probably stop more often than expected.

US-33 through the Potomac Highlands is legendary among riders. Begin in Elkins and take US-33 east toward Harman. Continue across the mountains toward Seneca Rocks.

This section combines elevation changes, sweeping curves and tighter mountain turns while traveling through some of the state's most impressive scenery. Stop at Seneca Rocks before continuing north on WV-28 toward Petersburg.

US-33 is frequently highlighted as one of West Virginia's standout motorcycle roads, particularly the mountain section through Monongahela National Forest and the Seneca Rocks area. If your idea of a perfect ride involves mountains and curves, put this route on your list.

This is one of the shorter motorcycle trips in West Virginia, but you can easily turn it into an all-day adventure. Start in Harman and take WV-32 north toward Canaan Valley.

Continue through Canaan Valley and then toward Davis. Take time to visit Blackwater Falls State Park before continuing north to Thomas.

The WV-32 corridor from Harman to Thomas runs about 20 miles and connects Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls and two of West Virginia's best-known mountain towns, Davis and Thomas. Combine this ride with US-33 and Seneca Rocks for an outstanding weekend motorcycle tour. In winter, the same valley is a ski destination.

Riders wanting to experience southern West Virginia should explore the National Coal Heritage area. Begin in Beckley, where you can visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.

From Beckley, travel south toward the coalfields, using WV-16 and connecting routes through communities such as Mullens, Pineville and Welch before continuing toward historic Bramwell. The National Coal Heritage Trail winds through the mountains and valleys of southern West Virginia and passes coal towns, railroad structures, former mining operations and other reminders of the region's industrial history.

Southern West Virginia tourism also promotes a roughly 131-mile Coal Heritage South loop beginning and ending in Beckley. This ride is less about reaching a destination and more about experiencing the communities along the way.

For something completely different, head to West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. Start around Harpers Ferry and follow the Washington Heritage Trail toward Shepherdstown and Martinsburg before continuing toward Berkeley Springs.

The route combines rural countryside with some of West Virginia's most historically significant communities. West Virginia Tourism describes the Washington Heritage Trail as a loop connecting Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, Martinsburg, Berkeley Springs and Charles Town while highlighting the region's pre-statehood history.

This is one of the best motorcycle trips in West Virginia for riders who like stopping frequently to explore historic towns. Pair it with a soak in the mineral springs or a side trip to Cacapon Resort State Park.

West Virginia's Northern Panhandle offers another completely different riding experience. Enter West Virginia on historic US-40 and ride toward Wheeling. Explore the historic National Road corridor and downtown Wheeling before heading south.

From Wheeling, take WV-2 south along the Ohio River toward Moundsville. West Virginia Tourism recommends the Historic National Road for motorcycle riders and suggests continuing south on WV-2 toward Moundsville for additional attractions.

It's an excellent ride to combine with a longer Ohio Valley motorcycle trip. If you're building a multi-day tour, see our broader scenic drives and road trips guides.

West Virginia's roads demand attention. Mountain curves can tighten unexpectedly, and riders may encounter wildlife, fallen rocks, gravel, wet leaves and changing pavement conditions.

Cell service can also disappear quickly in remote mountain areas. Download offline maps before leaving and don't allow your fuel level to get too low.

Weather is another consideration. Temperatures at higher elevations can be significantly cooler than in the valleys. A beautiful afternoon ride can become cold quickly after sunset.

Spring through fall generally provides the greatest variety of riding opportunities, while autumn transforms many mountain routes into spectacular corridors of red, orange and yellow foliage. Check our scenic overlooks and waterfalls guides for stops along the way. Always check current weather and road conditions before departing, especially on high-elevation routes.

You don't need to travel across the country to find outstanding motorcycle roads. West Virginia has thousands of miles of mountain highways, river roads and rural backroads waiting to be explored.

You can carve through the curves of US-33 near Seneca Rocks one weekend and ride beneath the New River Gorge Bridge the next. You can cruise through coal country around Beckley or spend a day exploring Canaan Valley, Davis and Blackwater Falls. That's what makes motorcycle trips in West Virginia so appealing: every region offers something different.

Whether you ride a Harley-Davidson, Honda Gold Wing, BMW touring bike, Indian, adventure motorcycle or sport bike, West Virginia provides roads that make the journey just as memorable as the destination. Pick one of these eight rides, fill the tank, download your route and head into the mountains. Once you've experienced West Virginia from two wheels, there's a good chance you'll start planning your next ride before the first one is finished.