Located in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Recreation Area at 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. The area has more than 70 miles of trails for mountain bikers to explore.
Tips
Difficulty: 3
Trails range from beginner to expert and cover a variety of terrain, from steep peaks to grassy meadows.
Time to complete: varies
The amount of time you’ll spend biking at Spruce Knob depends on the distance you want to cover, and there are several options here.
- Distance: 70+ Miles
Trails range from .70 miles to 12.8 miles. You can combine several to create loops of varying distances. - Seasonality: Spring, Summer, Fall
The best seasons to visit Spruce Knob are late spring, summer, and early fall. Because of the high elevation, the area gets high wind and cold temperatures, making it tough to access in the late fall and winter months. Expect snowfall any time from October to April. - Land Website: Spruce Knob
- Dog Friendly: on leash only
- Destination Highlights: Most of the Day, Weekend Trip, Good For Experts, Panoramic Views
Intro
At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob is the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The summit is accessible by paved Forest Service roads and trails, and has breathtaking views of the Germany Valley, Allegheny Plateau, and North Fork Mountain. Spruce Knob is defined by its dense spruce forests, which are similar to those found in Canada, and gets high winds year round, which gives the red spruce trees their signature windswept appearance.
What makes it great
Spruce Knob has an amazing variety of terrains and landscapes, including pastures on Jody Sods and along Big Run, and the rugged and windy alpine peak of Spruce Knob. 
Mountain biking has become more popular around Spruce Knob in recent years, maybe because of the difficult combination of the Knob’s high winds and steep trails. There’s nothing more satisfying than reaching a mountain summit with the spectacular view of Germany Valley after a long and hard ride. It’s a thrilling payoff to say the least.
Who is going to love it
If you’re looking for a challenge, you will love mountain biking at Spruce Knob. While large sections of the area are easy to navigate, several steep sections are more challenging. The summit has the ultimate payoff with its panoramic views of Germany Valley.
Because the area has a wide variety of recreational opportunities, it’s the perfect destination for families and friends to immerse themselves in nature. Photographers are sure to love the area’s many spectacular features and unique topography.
Directions, parking, and regulations
To get to the Spruce Knob overlook: Take U.S. Route 33 toward Judy Gap. There is a sign for Spruce Knob at the junction of U.S. 33 and County Road 3314. Turn onto County Road 3314, and follow it for 2.4 miles to a “Y” intersection, where the main road becomes Public Road 112. Stay to the left at the “Y” to follow Public Road 112. Stay on 112 for 7.2 miles, and then turn right onto Public Road 104. The parking lot for the Spruce Knob overlook is less than 2 miles away on Public Road 104.