The best traffic-free bike rides around Revelles

The Revelles area, nestled within West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, offers a vast network of gravel biking opportunities. This guide features 16 curated routes specifically designed to be traffic-free, ranging from easy to difficult. The Monongahela National Forest itself boasts one of the largest and most diverse curated gravel cycling networks in the eastern United States, with over 60 day rides and bikepacking routes exploring diverse terrain.

The terrain around Revelles is incredibly varied, from smooth gravel roads to rugged forest tracks and occasional rocky singletrack sections. You'll find routes that traverse quiet backcountry corridors, river valleys, and high-elevation spruce plateaus. For example, routes like The Contre ponds – The Contre Valley loop from Lœuilly feature moderate elevation gains of around 370 meters, while others can climb significantly higher, especially in the broader Monongahela National Forest network, which includes challenging routes like the Spruce Knob Observation Tower loop.

Yes, there are several options suitable for families and beginners looking for easy, traffic-free gravel rides. The Monongahela National Forest network caters to all skill levels. Within this guide, you'll find an easy route like Coulée Verte – Back to nautical base loop from Salouël, which covers about 23.7 km with minimal elevation gain, making it perfect for a relaxed outing. The broader Monongahela also features rail trails like the West Fork Rail Trail Loop, which are generally flatter and ideal for family rides.

For experienced gravel bikers seeking a challenge, the region offers routes with significant elevation and varied terrain. While this guide's most difficult route is The Contre ponds – The Contre Valley loop from Lœuilly, the wider Monongahela National Forest provides options like the Spruce Knob Observation Tower loop, known for its challenging climbs and dramatic descents. There are also multi-day bikepacking routes, such as the Remote Route Loop, spanning over 191 miles and climbing nearly 16,000 feet for remote mountain solitude.

The gravel trails around Revelles offer access to the stunning natural beauty of the Monongahela National Forest. While riding, you might encounter various landscapes from river valleys to high-elevation spruce plateaus. Nearby attractions include the historic Château de Prouzel, which is part of the Coulée Verte – Château de Prouzel loop from Bacouel-sur-Selle. Further afield in the Monongahela, you can explore iconic sites like Blackwater Falls, Spruce Knob (the highest point in WV), Seneca Rocks, and the unique Dolly Sods wilderness area.

Yes, many of the no-traffic gravel routes in this guide are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point without retracing your steps. Examples include Château de Prouzel – Italian-Style Church loop from Salouël and Bois de Creuse singletrack – Coulée Verte loop from Salouël. These loops are great for exploring diverse scenery without logistical concerns about return transport.

The Monongahela National Forest, where Revelles is located, offers excellent gravel biking opportunities across multiple seasons. Spring and fall generally provide the most pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, with autumn foliage being particularly spectacular. Summer is also popular, though some higher elevation areas can be cooler. Winter riding is possible, but requires preparedness for varied weather conditions and potential snow or ice, especially on higher ridgelines.

The komoot community highly rates the gravel biking experience around Revelles, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Reviewers often praise the quiet, traffic-free nature of the routes, the diverse and beautiful landscapes of the Monongahela National Forest, and the variety of trails suitable for different skill levels. The opportunity to explore remote backcountry corridors and enjoy mountain solitude is frequently highlighted.

While specific parking details for each route are best checked on the individual tour pages, many trailheads within the Monongahela National Forest offer designated parking areas. For example, the West Fork Rail Trail Loop is accessible from towns like Elkins and Durbin, which typically have parking facilities. When planning your ride, consult the komoot tour page for your chosen route, such as Coulée Verte – Back to nautical base loop from Salouël, for detailed starting points and potential parking information.

Revelles River Resort itself provides accommodation and direct access to the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. The Monongahela National Forest also features several 'Mon Forest Towns' that offer services for cyclists, including places for resupply, cafes, and pubs. Towns like Marlinton, Elkins, and Durbin, which are gateways to various gravel routes, provide options for dining and lodging, making them convenient stops for day rides or bikepacking adventures.

The no-traffic gravel bike trails in this guide vary in length to suit different preferences and fitness levels. You'll find routes ranging from shorter, easier options like Coulée Verte – Back to nautical base loop from Salouël at approximately 23.7 km, to longer, more challenging rides such as Château de Prouzel – Italian-Style Church loop from Salouël, which spans about 43.1 km. The average length of routes in this guide is around 34 km.