Bikepacking Roots is excited to announce a partnership with Visit Mountaineer Country to launch the Mountaineer Monster Bikepacking routes in North-Central West Virginia. The routes are now available at Bikepacking Roots’ website and mark the latest addition to Bikepacking Roots’ Signature Routes collection.
Three Routes, One Wild Region
The Mountaineer Monster bikepacking routes offer a challenging, yet rewarding, tour of the Mountaineer Country region of West Virginia, routing through the highlights of Monongalia, Preston, Barbour, and Taylor Counties. Three distance options, 110, 270, or 465 miles, have been designed to match riders’ ambitions and available time, from a rugged weekend outing to a multi-day backcountry adventure.
Along the way, riders take on the Mountaineer Monster’s cryptid scavenger hunt, a running theme tied to West Virginia’s rich cast of local legends — Mothman, the Grafton Monster, the Snallygaster, and Bigfoot among them — that adds a playful layer of discovery to the demanding terrain. The beauty of the Mountaineer Monster lies in its challenges and rewards: plenty of climbing through beautiful forests, countless swimming holes and breathtaking vistas. The routes favor the less-frequented gravel roads of the region, many of which are chunky, rutted, and unimproved for years.
“Through the Mountaineer Monster routes, I’m excited to showcase another exceptional region for bikepacking in West Virginia,” shares Noelle Battle, Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots. “With our Allegheny Crossroads Community Route to the Northeast and the Mon Forest Bikepacking Routes to the South, it is exciting to build a vast network of opportunities to explore the wild corners of the Mid-Atlantic region by bike.”
As a Signature Route, the Mountaineer Monster joins a curated collection that Bikepacking Roots maintains and champions as some of the highest-quality bikepacking adventures available, developed alongside local communities, thoroughly vetted, and including detailed resources to support riders with a range of bikepacking experience.
Part of a Much Bigger Network
The Mountaineer Monster routes are just one piece of the larger Mountaineer Gravel network, which currently spans more than 40 routes and 1,500 miles of gravel riding across seven regional hubs in North-Central West Virginia, including Morgantown, Bruceton Mills, Terra Alta, Rowlesburg, Grafton, Philippi, and Belington. Riders can explore the full network at visitmountaineercountry.com/gravel-routes.
Join the Mountaineer Monster Grand Depart October 24, 2026
Riders looking for an organized, community event can join the second annual Mountaineer Monster Grand Depart, set for sunrise on October 24, 2026. The self-supported ride offers 110-, 270-, and 465-mile route options across the region’s best adventure gravel, paired with Halloween-season atmosphere, local community involvement, and a friendly competition with the cryptid scavenger hunt. Riders are encouraged to participate whether they want to race against the clock or tour the routes at a casual pace. Registration and route details are available at ridewithgps.com/events/454454-2026-mountaineer-monster-grand-depart.
A Statewide Investment in Gravel and Bikepacking
The Mountaineer Monster launch reflects a broader push underway across West Virginia, spearheaded by route creator David Landis of V2V Trails. Just south from the Mountaineer Gravel Network, the Mon Forest Gravel & Bikepacking Route Network launched 4,800 miles of routes in April of this year, and other bikepacking and gravel projects are currently in development, signaling sustained investment in the sport and in building out world-class riding opportunities for visitors all across the state.
“The Mountaineer Gravel Network is such an asset for our region, providing a collection of curated biking routes for both locals and visitors,” Joe Vessichia, Development Director for Visit Mountaineer Country CVB, said. “As the network continues to expand, we look forward to showcasing what North Central West Virginia has to offer for bikepackers.”
About Bikepacking Roots
Bikepacking Roots is the only national non-profit dedicated exclusively to the support and advancement of bikepacking, the growth of a diverse bikepacking community, and access to and the conservation of the landscapes and public lands through which we ride.
About Visit Mountaineer Country
Visit Mountaineer Country is the Official Destination Marketing and Management Organization for North Central West Virginia. The organization is passionate about showcasing the beauty, charm, and endless possibilities that the region offers.