Richwood

For four seasons, pristine, natural goodness, the area that encompasses Richwood, West Virginia cannot be surpassed. The town sits in a bowl starting at an elevation of 2,250 feet above sea level, surrounded by the woodlands of the Monongahela National Forest and mountains that rise to an elevation of 4,800 feet. Within this high mountain setting, recreational opportunities are abundant throughout the year.

The Monongahela National Forest including the Cranberry Backcountry and Cranberry Wilderness Area offer some of the best big and small game hunting in the state. Fishing is also spectacular, especially trout fishing and designated areas for fly fishing and catch and release. Four rivers, tributaries of the mighty Kanawha and Ohio, originate here – the Cranberry, Williams, Gauley and Cherry Rivers making Richwood home to the best trout waters in the state.

Hundreds of miles of Forest Service roads and trails provide mountain bikers, hikers, cross country skiers, equestrians and others the opportunity for a lifetime of an endless variety of activity within the National Forest from the quaint to the extreme. Bicycle, ski and snowshoe rentals are offered locally, making recreational opportunities available to everybody. There are trail opportunities for everyone from the 1/2 mile, handicap-accessible boardwalk, which passes through the wondrous Cranberry Glades, to the primitive and isolated trails which lace the Federally designated Cranberry Wilderness Area.

Richwood is the southern terminus of the Highland Scenic Highway, which is a National Scenic Byway. The Scenic Highway traverses the mountainous terrain of this high Allegheny Highlands and Plateau, making it ideal for road biking and scenic drives. Many events centered around recreation take place throughout the year. Richwood is home of West Virginia’s first and longest running triathlon, the Scenic Mountain Triathlon. Other recreational events include numerous road and mountain bike races, distance runs and walks.