Mountaineer Monster 275

• 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
• Cranesville Swamp wetlands area
• Rowlesburg’s Canon Hill and railroad heritage
• Riding around the Cheat River Canyon through Albright and climbing the Little & Big Sandy Creek watershed
• Jenkinsburg Bridge and swimming in Blue Hole
• The “Moth Wing” 4×4 tracks near Bunner’s Ridge
• 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 275 distills the best of northern Mountaineer Country into a challenging, adventure-packed bikepacking loop. Covering 275 miles and 28,000 feet of climbing, the route explores the rugged gravel roads, remote ridgelines, historic railroad towns, and hidden waterways that define this corner of West Virginia. Along the way, riders experience everything from mountain farmland and wetlands to cryptid folklore, rail trails, breweries, and unforgettable Appalachian hospitality.

The route showcases many of the region’s signature highlights, including the high gravel ridges above the Cheat River near Bruce Mills, Cranesville Swamp, Rowlesburg’s railroad heritage, the dramatic climbs around the Cheat River Canyon, the Blue Hole swimming area, the rugged “Moth Wing” 4×4 tracks, and the flowing descent of the Decker’s Creek Rail Trail into Morgantown. The ride finishes with one final epic gravel road climb returning to Chestnut Ridge.

Although the terrain is not highly technical, this is a physically demanding route with relentless climbing, rough gravel, primitive roads, and occasional rocky or muddy sections that reward confident bike handling. Resupply and lodging are generally available throughout the route, but riders should plan ahead, study the Ride with GPS route carefully, and be realistic about daily mileage. For those looking for a shorter version of the Mountaineer Monster 465 without sacrificing the rugged character that makes the region special, the 275 delivers a memorable Appalachian bikepacking adventure.

• Paved: 38%
• Gravel: 57%
• 4×4 Road: 5%
• Singletrack: 0%

The Mountaineer Monster 275 is a winding, circuitous route. If great attention is not paid to the route and cues of the course, there are several sections where missing a turn and continuing straight could skip several miles of the route, have you going in the wrong direction on the route, or a combination of the two.

A variety of overnight options exist along the Mountaineer Monster routes: state park camping, private campgrounds, Airbnbs, hotel chains, local inns, and bed & breakfasts. Many (certainly not all!) of these options are listed on- and off-route as POIs in the RWGPS file.

Do not camp on private property. Wild camping is not permitted in Wildlife Management Areas or state parks (unlike National Forests). Use established campsites and be mindful of online booking systems and reservations; often, it is the best bet to call or reserve ahead of time, as there may be limited options the night of. Remember this route is quite challenging and may take longer than anticipated. Be realistic about your capabilities when making reservations and planning your accommodation timeline.

Notable climbs on the 275:

• Rowlesburg (Mile 90-96): There are two significant climbs following Rowlesburg (Calvert Shaver to Canon Hill), totalling 1,411’ in the 6 miles, with a max grade of 13.3%.
• Salt Lick (Mile 103.7): 6.1-mile unpaved climb, gaining 1,311’, with a max grade of 13.5%
• Blue Hole (Mile 159.6): The longest climb, at 7.3 miles, gains 1,674’ with a max grade of 14.9%.
• 4H / Gum Springs (Mile 219.4): This 6.5-mile gravel climb gains 1260’ with a max grade of 12%.
• Chestnut Ridge (Mile 271.1): This 3.9-mile, mostly gravel climb, gains 1,323’, with a max grade of 16.9%. The finish line is at the end of this climb, and riders are sure to find this as quite the finale!

There are a number of notable climbs on this route with steep grades. In addition to challenging climbs and steep hills, be prepared for “roads” and poorly maintained tracks that have rough surfaces and may be wet, rutted, and rocky. 

Various sections of the route have infrequent resupply and lodging. Riders should study the resupply opportunities and hours of operation closely to 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.