Mountain Biking:

Cranberry Backcountry

Description:

Cranberry Backcountry (26,000 acres) has 60 miles of trails and roads. Both single track (mostly advanced to extreme) and road riding are available, with potential for overnight stays in shelters along the Cranberry rd (FR 102). A lot of good loops exist through rugged mountains with streams, waterfalls, hardwood forests and spruce forests on the peaks of the mountains. Trail Map via the Highlands Conservancy (some of the backcountry trails are included on the Highlands Conservancy Cranberry Wilderness Maps).

Directions:

The Cranberry Backcountry is located east of Richwood, WV. To get to the western access, go north on FR 76 to access trails and roads near Big Rock, Bishop Knob and Cranberry Campgrounds. From Richwood go east on Rt. 55 to trailheads at Summit Lake (Google directions below) and along the left side of the road (trails and FR 232). FR 102 is accessed from Cranberry Glades.

Activities:

Backpacking, Camping (USFS: Tea Creek, Cranberry, Bishop Knob, Big Rock, and Summit Lake Campgrounds), Hiking, Sight Seeing (waterfall, overlooks), Swimming Holes, Cross Country Skiing, Mountain Biking (backcountry only)

Address:

One mile east of Richwood on Rt 39/55

Gauley Ranger District. 932 North Fork Cherry Road. Richwood, WV 26261

Phone/Email:

304-846-2695 (Voice & TDD), 304-636-1800 – Mon. National Forest

Web resources:

Mon. National Forest Mtn. Biking - Cranberry

Mountain Bike Project - Richwood (Cranberry BC)

Resources:

Book “Mountain Biking in West Virginia”.

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