Cranberry Wilderness Fire Road Complex

The old railroad grades and logging roads that slice through the Cranberry Wilderness tell the story of West Virginia’s timber boom, when narrow-gauge trains hauled massive red spruce down from these 4,000-foot ridges. Forest Road 76 provides the main access from the Highland Scenic Highway, threading through Cranberry Glades — the largest bog ecosystem south of Canada — before connecting to a network of primitive roads that once served lumber camps. The North-South Trail intersection marks the heart of the wilderness, where ancient spruce and hemlock survived the clear-cutting era.

This is easy to moderate driving on established forest roads, suitable for any high-clearance vehicle with decent ground clearance. Summer brings heavy rains that turn clay sections into slick messes, while fall offers perfect conditions and peak foliage. No permits required, but fuel up in Richwood — it’s a long way to services. The Cranberry Glades boardwalk and wild mountain cranberries make this more than just a drive; it’s a journey through the last remnants of the great eastern wilderness.