US Route 60 - West Virginia
AKA: Midland Trail
Charleston - White Sulphur Springs
Distance/Driving time: 110 miles/2h, 26m
County(ies): Kanawha, Fayette, Greenbrier
Submit your on this road.
Rider Comments:
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- This road has some sharp windy turns that lead to beautiful scenery. more...The road quality is good. A few small towns along the way with hometown food. Make sure you check out Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest and eventually the New River Gorge Bridge. There was even a one lane road that lead all the way down to the bottom of the Gorge. - Jason Moore (6/28/11)
- An amazingly scenic road. more...Through small towns and beautiful country. Be sure to stop at the Kanawha Falls. The road is in great condition. Lots of twisties and a few sweeping turns. Be CAREFUL...this road runs thru small towns and has quite a few homes and LEO's along the route. Traffic is fairly light once you leave the Charleston area. For a nice alternative to the interstate...it's a beautiful ride. - Rider from Colorado Springs, CO (6/22/11)
- Gauley Mountain is similar the 'Tail of The Dragon' for an enjoyable scenic mountain ride, but it is not near as dangerous and a lot wider. more...Route 60 from Charleston to Lewisburg, WV is a FANTASTIC RIDE and Gauley Mountain is one of the best parts of it. There is a new restaurant that caters to bikers, New Hawks Nest State Park called The Chimney Corner Cafe. You can read a recent article about it at www.statejournal.com. Many other attractions in the area as well. Everything from Whitewater Rafting to touring an actual Coal Mine. You can do the ride in just a couple of hours, but plan on staying a couple of days to enjoy the whole area. - Jim Nelson (9/15/08)
- A few cautions from a local area rider: more...1. Watch your speed through Cedar Grove. It is patrolled aggressively by the local police. A new traffic signal was installed spring 2008 on the west end of the town. From that point, speed limit is 40 mph for about 1.5 miles, then opens up to 55. Back it down, be polite with the engine revs, and you will be OK. West-bound, just watch for the speed limit sign, and adjust appropriately.
2. Approaching Montgomery, east-bound, be alert for traffic diversion resulting from a Spring, 2008 landslide. There is about a half-mile of cones and lane changes. As you near the bridge at Montgomery, watch VERY carefully for the traffic pattern. It looks like traffic is supposed to go up the ramp to the bridge. Route 60 actually GOES AROUND the ramp to the left, but the cones are deceptive. A small sign to the left of the ramp points to the Rt 60 path through a narrow break in the cones. Take it slow. If you are forced to go up the ramp, that's ok. Just go back down the other side without crossing the bridge, and you will be back on Rt 60. (Hope I'm not scaring anyone, it's really ok. Just want to make you aware.)
3. The hairpin turn at Chimney Corner is not recommended for the novice rider. East-bound you are in a steep down-grade directly into a very sharp hairpin. Thrilling -- but not easy for the low-time rider. Be careful.
4. Through Falls View (between Gauley Bridge and Ansted), the road narrows and the shoulder disappears for about a quarter mile. Use care. Single file is best.
Some good (great) things:
5. The Falls View Inn. Stop and sample the local grub -- typical WV home-cooking in a historic setting. If they have the back porch open, sit by the water and enjoy lunch.
6. "The Mystery Hole". It looks like a bizarre tourist trap time-warped from the 1950s, but it is pretty cool. I won't give away the "mystery", but if you like optical illusions, this will get you going.
7. The New River Gorge Harley-Davidson shop at Hico. Great people there, and super-friendly to anyone on two wheels.
Enjoy the ride! - Mike from Montgomery, WV (8/3/08) - This is a great ride, you must stop at Gauley Bridge. more...We took 60 over to 61 back to Oak Hill. 61 is a very nice ride also. - Mark (5/28/08)
- This stretch is actually called the Midland Trail, not Highway, so if you're looking for it on a map that's what you should search for. more...Everything else is pretty much accurate. You get great views, especially in the fall when the hardwoods are vibrant reds oranges and yellows. There are always plenty of bikes on this route as well and for those of you who might wanna take it slow and enjoy the many little stops along the way like the smoke hole or Hawks Nest, there are a few little Inn's and BNB's along the way. There are also some great little bars that always have a cold one ready and love to see bikers stop by. There is also a Harley Dealer/Service shop about halfway through (I forget the name of the Shop), but you can always stop in if you're having issues or just want a T-shirt. Overall it's a great route and you get to see why so many people love West Virginia. Whether it's the little mining towns, the amazing views, or the finale at the end (The New River Gorge), you'll enjoy every moment. - Anonymous (3/24/08)
- Exceptional section with great twisties up and down the mountains. more...Number of turns following one another. Deep troughs in some turns. Hairpins and switchbacks. Like I said exceptional. Must do. Love it. Great view at Hawks Nest State Park. Great view of river at Gauley Bridge gas stop. Large water fall about 1-2 miles from Gauley Bridge gas stop on left, right before Hawk's Nest overlook. Lewisburg is a beautiful town with restored homes and public buildings. Lots of great scenery all along the route. This route is called the Midland Highway and probably was by pioneers going west in the 18 and 19th centuries. Very popular with riders. Lots of bikes on the road. - Rider from Morgantown, WV
Other Resources:
- America's Byways - Midland Trail
- North American Sportbike Road Registry - West Virginia Sport Bike Roads
- Rand McNally Road Atlas