Mountaineer Monster 110

• Bruce Mills area’s rugged farmland along the higher creeks and ridges that flow into the Cheat River
• Cuzzart’s Screech Owl Brewing offering bikepacker camping
• Jenkinsburg Bridge and swimming in Blue Hole
• Decker’s Creek Rail Trail downhill to Morgantown, with waterfalls and swimming holes
• Morgantown historic center with full services (hotels, restaurant, bike shops)
• Mon River Rail Trail north to the Pennsylvania state line
• Cheat Lake and the final climb up to Chestnut Ridge and Coopers Rock State Forest

The Mountaineer Monster 110 packs many of the best experiences of the Mountaineer Gravel network into a rewarding 2–3 day bikepacking adventure. Covering 110 miles with over 10,500 feet of climbing, this shorter loop is ideal for riders looking to sample the rugged character of north-central West Virginia without committing to one of the longer 275/465 Monster routes. Expect quiet gravel roads through rolling farmland, scenic river valleys, historic rail corridors, and one final mountain climb worthy of the Monster name.

The route begins by winding through the rugged ridges and farms surrounding Bruce Mills before descending toward the Cheat River watershed. Riders can camp at Cuzzart’s Screech Owl Brewing, cool off at the Blue Hole near the historic Jenkinsburg Bridge, and enjoy one of the region’s signature rides on the Decker’s Creek Rail Trail as it descends into Morgantown past waterfalls and swimming holes. After exploring Morgantown’s restaurants, bike shops, and downtown, the route follows the Mon River Rail Trail north before circling Cheat Lake and tackling the final climb through Chestnut Ridge and Coopers Rock State Forest.

Despite being the shortest Mountaineer Monster, this route is no easy spin. The climbing is steady, the gravel can be rough, and the finish delivers one last challenging ascent before reaching the end. Riders should also plan carefully for the first half of the route, where there are no standard, commercial resupply opportunities until Masontown around mile 75. Carry sufficient food and water, review the Ride with GPS route in advance, and you’ll be rewarded with an excellent introduction to the rugged gravel roads, scenic landscapes, and welcoming communities that make Mountaineer Country one of Appalachia’s premier bikepacking destinations.

• Paved: 37%
• Gravel: 61% (25% of which is rail trail)
• 4×4 Road: 2%
• Singletrack: 0%

There is no re-supply on route until mile 75 in Masontown (limited to a gas station and one restaurant with limited hours). More options are available after that as riders approach Morgantown. Riders should ensure that they have the resources (nutrition & hydration) to ride safely between resupply points.

Find more information to prepare for your Mountaineer Monster adventure on the route hub page.

We acknowledge that the lands these routes traverse are the ancestral homelands of Indigenous peoples, including the Shawnee, Massawomeck, and Osage, who stewarded these mountains and rivers for generations. We honor their enduring connection to this land and recognize that their histories and cultures continue today, and we offer this acknowledgment with respect and gratitude.

Please be sure to get in touch with any updates on route conditions that may be relevant to other riders.

Please submit your questions and comments on the route via the contact form below.

Route network design and content publication by David Landis of V2V Trails.

Special thanks to the Visit Mountaineer Country team for supporting and promoting this gravel route development project! And to local & regional riders for route suggestions, feedback and inspiration, especially AJ Delauder, Alden Roth, Andrew Walker, Andy Williamson, Chuck Morris, Corey Lilly, Ethan Flanigan, Jacob Rex, Jason Martin, Jennifer Walker, Joanna Friesen, JR Petsko, Kayla Hall, Katie Wolpert, Larry Paris, Mike Miller, Nathan Fetty, Nick Morales, Rachelle Thorne, Thad Kelley, and Travis Olson.