Mountain Madness

Approximately 218 miles

South Branch Valley merges with the South Fork Valley near the con-fluence of two rivers. Country roads skirt valley farmland and the Monongahela National Forest. Need to stretch? Get off your bike and hike the trail up 900’ to the lookout at Seneca Rocks. From there you’ll see the mountains into which you will travel over country roads wind-ing along the ridges. US RT 50 west of Aurora has 30 turns in one 3-mile stretch.

Sue’s Country Kitchen A great stop for a quick sandwich or a made-to-order meal. Breakfast all day. Casual country setting. Beside Tri-County Honda. 135 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9100.

The Front Porch Restaurant Enjoy casual atmosphere of the Front Porch … food … fantastic view of Seneca Rocks. Open Fri–Sun. Junction RTs 55, 28 & 33; (304) 567-2555; www.harpersoldcountrystore.com/restaurant.html

South Side Depot – Visitors Center Browse gift shop & enjoy fresh coffee & scones. Blenko Glass, Polish Pottery, WV Made Pottery, repurposed items & more! Free WIFI & maps! Train Rides! 126 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9264 www.southsidedepotwv.com.

Tri County Honda Best deals & no freight, prep or setup fees! Huge selection of Powersport products: ATVs, SXS, motorcycles, genera-tors & more. Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda. 135 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-4420; www.tricountyhonda.com.

Eastern Soaring Center A commercial glider operation offering flight instruction and scenic rides with ground launching out of Grant County Airport; 440 Airport Road Petersburg; (304) 851-4106; www.easternsoaringcenter.com.

Hatchery Tours Spring Run and Petersburg WVDNR Hatcheries offer tours upon request. Spring Run Rd/ Johnson Run Rd; (304) 257-4014.

Landes Performing Arts Center Home to WV Theatre East and the Country Store Opry. 18 Mt View St. Petersburg; (304) 257-1725; www.landesartcenter.com.

Snowflake Express Train Rides with Santa Santa and Elves, cookies and cocoa, music and caroling throughout the night in SS Depot and on the train. Usually the second Fri and Sat in Dec; 126 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9264; www.southsidedepotwv.com.

Historic District of Franklin On National Register of Historic Plac-es. Town has a significant collection of 19th century architecture to explore. Walking brochure available at the Pendleton Co Chamber of Commerce & online. www.visitpendleton.com.

Nrocks Outdoor Adventure Premiere guided climbing center in the North Fork Valley. Public access for sport climbing, top rope climbing, zip lines, guided canopy tours and the nation’s premiere Via Ferrata. 141 Nelson Gap Rd, Circleville, (877) 435-4842; www.Nrocks.com.

Potomac Highlands Recreation Center Bowling alley, roller skating rink, exercise & game rooms, TV & snack bar. New outdoor putt-putt golf course. Mon – Sun. (304) 358-2010; 201 Confederate Rd, Franklin; www.pendletoncounty.net.

Seneca Rocks Show piece of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Above the North Fork River. Over 900’ of craggy Tuscarora sandstone awes rock climbers and sightseers alike. Hik-ing trail leads to an overlook. Intersection of RT’s 33 & 55.

Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Offers majestic view of the rocks, gift shop, small indoor rock climbing wall, art & nature displays, interpretive programs, artisan demonstrations & music. Open 9–4:30, April – Oct (schedule varies). Closed Nov – Mar. (304) 567-2827; www.fs.usda.gov.

SpringFest Celebrate the spring season in the mountains of Pendle-ton County. Enjoy trout rodeo, boxcar derby, music, great food and more! 1st weekend in May. www.visitpendleton.com.

South Branch Valley merges with the South Fork Valley near the confluence of two rivers. Country roads skirt valley farmland and the Monongahela National Forest. Need to stretch? Get off your bike and hike the trail up 900’ to the lookout at Seneca Rocks. From there you’ll see the mountains into which you will travel over country roads winding along the ridges. US RT 50 west of Aurora has 30 turns in one 3-mile stretch.

Sue’s Country Kitchen A great stop for a quick sandwich or a made-to-order meal. Breakfast all day. Casual country setting. Beside Tri-County Honda. 135 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9100.

The Front Porch Restaurant Enjoy casual atmosphere of the Front Porch … food … fantastic view of Seneca Rocks. Open Fri–Sun. Junction RTs 55, 28 & 33; (304) 567-2555; www.harpersoldcountrystore.com/restaurant.html

South Side Depot – Visitors Center Browse gift shop & enjoy fresh coffee & scones. Blenko Glass, Polish Pottery, WV Made Pottery, repurposed items & more! Free WIFI & maps! Train Rides! 126 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9264 www.southsidedepotwv.com.

Tri County Honda Best deals & no freight, prep or setup fees! Huge selection of Powersport products: ATVs, SXS, motorcycles, generators & more. Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda. 135 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-4420; www.tricountyhonda.com.

Eastern Soaring Center A commercial glider operation offering flight instruction and scenic rides with ground launching out of Grant County Airport; 440 Airport Road Petersburg; (304) 851-4106; www.easternsoaringcenter.com.

Hatchery Tours Spring Run and Petersburg WVDNR Hatcheries offer tours upon request. Spring Run Rd/ Johnson Run Rd; (304) 257-4014.

Landes Performing Arts Center Home to WV Theatre East and the Country Store Opry. 18 Mt View St. Petersburg; (304) 257-1725; www.landesartcenter.com.

Snowflake Express Train Rides with Santa Santa and Elves, cookies and cocoa, music and caroling throughout the night in SS Depot and on the train. Usually the second Fri and Sat in Dec; 126 S. Main St. Petersburg; (304) 257-9264; www.southsidedepotwv.com.

Historic District of Franklin On National Register of Historic Places. Town has a significant collection of 19th century architecture to explore. Walking brochure available at the Pendleton Co Chamber of Commerce & online. www.visitpendleton.com.

Nrocks Outdoor Adventure Premiere guided climbing center in the North Fork Valley. Public access for sport climbing, top rope climbing, zip lines, guided canopy tours and the nation’s premiere Via Ferrata. 141 Nelson Gap Rd, Circleville, (877) 435-4842; www.Nrocks.com.

Potomac Highlands Recreation Center Bowling alley, roller skating rink, exercise & game rooms, TV & snack bar. New outdoor putt-putt golf course. Mon – Sun. (304) 358-2010; 201 Confederate Rd, Franklin; www.pendletoncounty.net.

Seneca Rocks Show piece of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Above the North Fork River. Over 900’ of craggy Tuscarora sandstone awes rock climbers and sightseers alike. Hiking trail leads to an overlook. Intersection of RT’s 33 & 55.

Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Offers majestic view of the rocks, gift shop, small indoor rock climbing wall, art & nature displays, interpretive programs, artisan demonstrations & music. Open 9–4:30, April – Oct (schedule varies). Closed Nov – Mar. (304) 567-2827; www.fs.usda.gov.

SpringFest Celebrate the spring season in the mountains of Pendleton County. Enjoy trout rodeo, boxcar derby, music, great food and more! 1st weekend in May. www.visitpendleton.com.