| Maps and Driving Tours |
Getting to Monroe County
Monroe County is located in the south-eastern section of West Virginia on the Virginia border. Only a few hours from major metropolitan areas, Monroe County is easily accessible from all directions via nearby interstate highways.
Getting Here by Car
From the South: Via I-77, exit at Princeton (Exit #9) and proceed East on US 460 to Rich Creek, Virginia. Follow US 219 North into Monroe County.
From the North, East or West: Via I-64, exit at Lewisburg (Exit #169) and follow US 219 South into Monroe County.
Access by Air
Greenbrier Valley Airport (304.645.3961; www.GVAirport.com) is located in Lewisburg (Greenbrier County), approximately 45 minutes north of Union, Monroe County. Commercial service is available via US Airways Express (800.428.4322; www.usairways.com.) Larger airports serving the region are located in Roanoke, Va., and Charleston, WV. Roanoke is approximately 1.5 hours driving time from Monroe County. Charleston is approximately 2.5 hours away. Auto rentals are available in Lewisburg through Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Limo service is offered by Greenbrier Valley Limo (304.536.1193.)
Access by Rail
Amtrak (800.872.7245; www.amtrak.com) passenger service on the Cardinal is available to Alderson in Monroe County or White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County (Approximately 30 minutes north of Monroe County). Trains operate on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
After You're Here
Monroe County contains a wealth of picturesque country roads. One road has been designated a West Virginia Scenic Byway and two are West Virginia Scenic Backways. Lack of official designation should not discourage visitors from experiencing a few of the other country roads. We offer a number of suggestions below which connect directly to the designated byway and backways. The more adventuresome traveler may wish to do a bit of exploring on their own. County maps with all of the back roads accurately depicted may be secured at the Monroe County Department of Highways, just East of Union of WV 3.
Use our Find It! Locator Map to pinpoint the route. |
 |
Country Roads - Bozoo Road |
|
|
|
| Scenic, rolling farmland en route to the Shanklin’s Ferry Wildlife Management Area. Two lane paved, one lane paved, and gravel. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Cove Creek Road |
|
|
|
| An interesting, and fairly short trip through a secluded valley. One lane paved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Farm Heritage Road |
|
|
|
| A West Virginia Scenic Byway (part of the National Scenic Byway System), this road offers a picture of life in rural, agricultural communities which in many ways, retains the character imparted upon it by previous generations. The route encompasses three distinct geographical settings: the quaint winding course of Indian Creek; the gently rolling plateaus of karst farmland; and finally, the picturesque Sweet Spring Valley, nestled alongside the lofty ridge of Peters Mountain in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley region. The push of industry and commercialism has largely by-passed the area, therefore, many old homes, farms, and public buildings remain from throughout the county’s 200 year history. Two lane paved road. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Gates Road |
|
|
|
| This drive offers nice views of the range of Little Mountain and the lofty ridge of Peters Mountain beyond. One lane paved, gravel, and two lane paved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Hillsdale Road |
|
|
|
| Attractive rolling farm country. Nice views of the Pickaway plains and Swopes Knobs. One lane paved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Knobs Roads |
|
|
|
| This road offers spectacular views to the north and east as you descend the mountain toward Sinks Grove. Once off the mountain, the route offers a chance to admire the farmland around Pickaway, a WV Rural Historic District. Or, a leg may be added which follows the gravel road descending to the Second Creek Fly Fishing area. Steep one lane paved, reasonably wide gravel, normal one lane paved, and two lane paved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Mountain's Shadow Trail |
|
|
|
| A West Virginia Scenic Backway, this road carries on the same theme and general character as the Farm Heritage Road, though in a slightly more rugged fashion. The farms carved out of these mountain valleys reflect the handiwork of settlers who, by choice or economic necessity, created an existence for themselves in somewhat isolated areas. The variety of the backway is bound together by the tangible presence of Peters Mountain, the 40 mile ridge of which is undoubtedly the county’s most notable geographic feature. Although wildlife is abundant throughout the area, it is perhaps even more easily seen along these less traveled roads. One lane paved and narrow gravel. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Neff Orchard Road |
|
|
|
| Cattle and sheep farms and a modern working orchard. A place to rest your eyes wherever you look. Investigate branch roads: Moore Road and Rogers’ Mill Road where there is catch and release stocked trout fishing on Second Creek. One lane paved and narrow gravel. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Orchard and Hans Creek Roads |
|
|
|
| Rural farmland, and the picturesque valley of Hans Creek. One lane paved roads. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Potts Valley Roads |
|
|
|
| This road crosses Peters Mountain; passing by the parking lot for the Allegheny Trail and the Hanging Rock Observatory, then descends into Potts Valley. Views are extensive to the north and south on either side of the mountaintop, particularly after foliage has been shed in the fall. One lane paved and two lane paved. Use caution in winter weather. Conditions at the mountaintop are sometimes quite different than in the valleys below. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Pyne's Mountain Road |
|
|
|
| There are very few homes along this road, but it is a lovely woodland drive, particularly in autumn. After crossing the mountain, return to Union on Willow Bend Road, passing by scenic, open farmland. Narrow gravel and one and two lane paved. Some portions of the gravel road may require backing up to allow passage of oncoming traffic. Use caution in bad weather. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Salt Sulphur Turnpike |
|
|
|
| The old turnpike came into being in the years between 1835 and 1860 as a stagecoach road which connected Christiansburg and the resorts in Montgomery County, Virginia, with Salt Sulphur Springs. The Mountain Lake Hotel, which was featured in the film Dirty Dancing, originally developed as a stagecoach stop along this route. The present condition of the peters Mountain section of this old road is probably not that different than it was in the days when it was traveled by stage. Road is presently suitable for high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Turkey Creek Road |
|
|
|
| The route is mostly wooded as it passes through the range of Little Mountain, then the countryside opens up a bit as one enters the rolling hill country near Willow Bend and Union. The stream crossed twice by the road is the upper portion of Turkey Creek; one of the few streams in the state where native Rainbow Trout are known to spawn. Road is narrow gravel, and one and two lane paved. Backing up to a wide spot may be occasionally required to allow passage of oncoming traffic on one portion of the road. Use caution in bad weather. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Wayside to Lindside |
|
|
|
| This road winds around the southern end of Swope’s Knobs offering nice views back toward Greenville. Route passes through the Laurel Creek covered bridge and to the community of Lillydale. One lane paved, and narrow gravel. Use caution in bad weathr. May occasionally need to back up to permit passage of oncoming traffic. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Country Roads - Wolf Creek Backway |
|
|
|
| A West Virginia Scenic Backway, this road winds into karst topography with 18th century settlements -- Wolf Creek, Pickaway and Sinks Grove -- and great farm scenery. Alderson, at the spot where the backway joins the Lower Greenbrier River Byway, showcases its history with an arched bridge, old depot and several unique shops. Two lane paved. |
|
|
| |
|
|
Historic Trial - The Springs Trail |
|
|
|
| More than a humdred years ago, in what is today one of the most pristine rural areas in West Virginia, visitors came by the thousands to visit the many natural springs in Monroe, Greenbrier, and Summers Counties. Where the healing waters flowed, grand resort hotels flourished. Some of them, such as the Greenbrier and Salt Sulphur Springs, continue to operate today. Others are abondoned now, their vast edifices and cool spring houses still whispering of past grandeur. Of some, only memories remain. The Springs Trail is a driving tour of these historic springs. Brochure available. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
| DVD For Sale |
"A Place Called Monroe"
More info? See Hot Deals |
|
|
