Breakfast

Discover why the locals LOVE Scottie’s Diner and fuel up for your ride by ordering “The Worker”, pancakes, or an omelet before loading up your gear, packed lunches, snacks and plenty of water before heading South on 250 to Mower Basin Trails. Pack plenty of snacks and grab a sandwich or salad for the afternoon because this will be an adrenaline-packed and full day.

Morning

1. Travel South on 250 to Huttonsville and stay on 250 as you drive about 8.5 miles before turning right onto Forest Road 227. Dispersed camping spots can be found along the route before reaching the Mower Basin Trails Trailhead. 
2. Experience the Hawks Ridge Loop Trail—a 2.5-mile adventure featuring a steep start between historic strip mines, followed by a scenic ridge ride offering breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains. The trail leads to a challenging ascent through a dense forest on the unmined east slope, where rock beds, large roots, and narrow openings add to the excitement. Emerging from the woods, a clearing signals a smooth downhill stretch leading you back to your vehicle.
3. Explore additional trails—Sparrow Loop, Thrush Trail, Warbler Loop, and Junco Trail—located opposite Hawks Ridge Loop. Sparrow Loop, a 1.75-mile adventure, starts with a gentle incline. This fast-paced trail, shaded by Norway Spruce, Beech, and Birch trees, offers a thrilling mix of twists and turns, elevating your heart rate. Expect mud, wet roots, and rock beds, especially after rain. Ideal for winter cross-country skiing, the unplowed road requires snow tires, chains, and an experienced driver. At the downhill’s bottom, choose from various trail options or continue for a loop back to the trailhead.

Lunch

Enjoy your packed lunch and snacks with the beautiful views at Mower Basin Trails.

Did You Know?

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Mower Tract’s 2,500 acres were strip-mined, rendering it a biological wasteland. To safeguard the area, the U.S. Forest Service and Trust for Public Land acquired surface rights from the Mower Land and Lumber Company in 1987. This initiated efforts to reforest the land, restore red spruce forests, improve watersheds, and provide recreational opportunities.

Afternoon

1. The fun doesn’t end there… Discover all the trails by reading our “Complete Guide to the Mower Basin Trails” and choose your routes for a great afternoon.

Dinner

Enjoy a delicious meal at C.J. Maggies. We love the wood-fired pizzas and their homemade ice cream and milkshakes. Head to Jimbo’s for a night cap across the street before turning in for the night.

Breakfast

Breakfast – Sit down to a delicious breakfast at The Lunchbox, create your own breakfast sandwich, or opt for fluffy pancakes before heading out on Randolph County’s Gravel Roads. 

Morning

1. A 2-3 hours, mostly paved and flat (with some rolling hills) route to explore is the Elkins – Montrose Loop through Kerens/Gilman/Montrose. There are plenty of variations of this ride that you can do, and all of them are fun – Check out the Loop and download the Route using Ride with GPS.

Lunch + Afternoon

Call ahead and grab a daily lunch special to-go from the Delmonte Market! The specials change daily with different soups and sandwiches. Locals love the pepperoni roll and mac and cheese special – so be sure to order yours in advance, because they WILL sell out! Craving creamy ice cream? The Delmonte is also home to delicious ice cream.

Did You Know?

Elkins (population 8,000) was founded in 1890, by industrialists and politicians Henry Davis and Stephen Elkins, as the location for railroad yards for the expanding West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railroad.

Dinner

Head on over to Beanders in downtown Elkins and enjoy weekly dinner specials like their famous spaghetti night. Catch some live music or take part in Trivia Night, which is always a local favorite. Consider a jaunt down the block for a carefully crafted cocktail at the Oxley House located inside the historic Tygart Hotel.

Breakfast

Enjoy a bagel or bagel breakfast sandwich from Tiptop. Choose from Everything, Molasses Oat, Plain, and more specialty flavors as they come available. Sip down a delicious coffee or hot tea to start your day.

Morning

1. Stop by the Elkins Depot Welcome Center for maps, information and to scout out the AHT Trailhead–it’s located adjacent to the Depot.
2. Stop by Joey’s Bike Shop for biking gear, and a local’s perspective.
3. Grab a fresh to-go lunch from one of our local eateries to take with you on your ride.
4. Hit the Allegheny Highlands Trail (AHT) for a long ride along the rail trail. The trail follows the original route of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway built by Henry Gassaway Davis in 1884. This exceptionally scenic trail provides panoramic views of the West Virginia countryside as it passes through small towns and rural farmland from the Elkins Depot Welcome Center continuing into Tucker County, the small town of Parsons and beyond into Hendricks.

Afternoon

1. Ride your bikes back to Elkins and enjoy some leisure time walking and shopping in downtown Elkins.
2. Curb your sweet tooth at Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop or grab something to-go.
3. Pick up a Self-Guided Walking Tour brochure at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center and explore the downtown architecture and historic buildings.
4. Check out the beautiful public art murals and heritage Quilt Blocks and snap some photos.

Dinner

Head to El Gran Sabor for authentic Venezuelan food, sip on a margarita, and listen to live music every Wednesday and Friday evening.