Monongahela National Forest Road 701 High Meadows Circuit

Forest Road 701 cuts deep into the Monongahela’s high country, where logging roads from the 1940s now serve as gateways to some of West Virginia’s most remote terrain. The loop starts near the Williams River and climbs through dense hardwood forests before opening into high meadows that offer panoramic views of the Allegheny Mountains. Three creek crossings punctuate the route, with Tea Creek being the most technical during spring runoff.

This moderate trail demands high-clearance 4WD and good ground clearance for the rocky creek beds. Muddy conditions are common from October through May, and snow can close the upper elevations from December to March. The 18-mile circuit takes most of a day, with primitive camping available at designated spots along Tea Creek. You’ll earn solitude and some of the best mountain views in the state — just you, the mountains, and whatever wildlife calls this backcountry home.