Forest Road 162 Kennison Mountain Loop

Forest Road 162 wraps around Kennison Mountain’s weathered shoulders like an old mining road that forgot to quit. This 18-mile loop through Monongahela National Forest starts near Durbin and climbs through second-growth hardwood before breaking into open meadows at 3,800 feet. The real test comes at Stony Bottom Creek, where spring runoff can turn a simple ford into a proper water crossing that’ll have you checking your diff breather.

Moderate difficulty demands stock 4WD with decent ground clearance — those creek rocks will find your oil pan if you’re careless. Best tackled April through October when the roads aren’t gated for winter closures. No permits needed, just grab fuel in Durbin and pack extra water. Multiple primitive camping spots dot the ridgeline, and the payoff is worth the rattle: 360-degree views of the Greenbrier Valley that stretch clear to Virginia on clear days.