Trans-America Trail — Addison to Waterville via the Monongahela Backcountry and Cranberry Wilderness Edge
Appalachian mud, ridgelines, and no signal.
Sam Correro’s Trans-America Trail through West Virginia is not the scenic byway version of overlanding — it’s the real deal. This segment runs northeast from Addison toward Waterville through the high back-country of Monongahela National Forest, threading logging roads along the Gauley River headwaters and brushing the edge of the Cranberry Wilderness. The two-track climbs into second-growth hardwood ridges, crosses unnamed creek drainages that turn into legitimate obstacles after rain, and drops through hollows where the canopy closes in and you lose GPS signal entirely. Landmark waypoints include the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area turnoff and the Forest Road 99 corridor north of Richwood — both of which can be deeply rutted in wet conditions.
This is a segment that punishes unmodified vehicles and rewards patient, skilled drivers. High-clearance 4WD is the floor; lockers and a lift help significantly. Mud season — roughly November through April — can render sections impassable even for capable rigs. Best conditions are June through October after a dry stretch. No permits required for dispersed camping within the national forest, but check current forest road closures with the Gauley Ranger District before you go — logging operations close roads without much notice. Fuel in Richwood or Summersville; neither is exactly close when you’re in the hollow. Cell service is essentially a rumor. Bring paper maps and a PLB.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4380 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with lockers recommended |
| Nearest town | Richwood, WV |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service – Monongahela National Forest, Gauley Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Monongahela National Forest Trans-America Trail Official Site |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this without a lift?
A stock Wrangler can manage most of it, but the creek-bottom sections and rutted logging roads will punish low-clearance rigs. Lockers — front and rear — are strongly recommended, not optional. A lift of 2–3 inches gives you meaningful margin on the worst cuts.
When does this segment become impassable and is it open year-round?
June through October is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and rain turn the clay-heavy logging roads into axle-deep mud from November through May, and some Forest Service gates close in winter. Check current road conditions with the Gauley Ranger District before any shoulder-season attempt.
Do I need a permit to run this route or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the route. Dispersed camping in Monongahela National Forest is free and allowed without a permit, but the Cranberry Wilderness itself is foot-traffic only — keep vehicle camping to designated Forest roads outside the wilderness boundary.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it dangerous?
The creek-bottom runs near the Cranberry backcountry edge are the crux — loose shale, water-filled ruts, and off-camber shelf road with no bailout. After rain, these sections develop deep mud channels that can ground out a rig quickly. If you're going to get stuck anywhere on this 68 miles, it's here.
Where's the nearest gas and how much range do I need?
Richwood, WV is your last reliable fuel stop before the route and the closest town to the northern end. Fill up there — there are no gas stations along the 68-mile segment, and with the low-gear crawling this trail demands, expect fuel consumption to run higher than highway estimates.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.