US-33 through the Shenandoah valley

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > West Virginia

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 6 visitors

State: West Virginia
Date Submitted: March 1, 2007
Submitted by: (Route starts in Virginia but most of the route lies in West Virginia)Daniel-son
Motorcycle Road Length: 100 Miles

Written Directions

Start your route in Harrisonburg, VA. All you do is take US-33 west into WV and on to the route's endpoint - Elkins, WV.

If you continue on US-33 heading west you'll eventually reach I-79 but this stretch of US 33 is not as fun as it's all 4 lane highway with long curves and slower hill climbs.

Scenery

This ride never fails to enchant and thrill me. There's always something new to see. Trust me you won't catch it all the first time because driving it the first time will consume most of your energy.

The scenery can be anything from looking up from the valley floor to looking down from atop a mountain peak. Crisscrossing several blue ribbon trout streams and passing through two national forests (the George Washington and the Monongahela), both set on the west side of the Appalachian mountains, brings out a sense of just how small we really are. There are some sharp turns and few straight-aways. This a scenic trip so don't plan on breaking any land speed records .

Road Quality: 4

Have you ever driven down an 8% grade hill only to be relieved to have made it to the bottom and survived the 25 mph turns that switched into and out of the mountain side on the way. This road is thrilling at times but not dangerous. Experience and bike control are needed, but patience are much more in demand. The road is a bit narrow at times so keep your eyes forward.

Roadside Amenities:2

Camping is always better on a hill top over looking Seneca Rocks, it's a sheer rock wall that jets straight up from a mountain side where horse-back riding is available to the top, where a look out stand awaits. But if you prefer to hike or climb it it's there too. Pull-overs abound and caverns await just a few miles from the main route. Fill up with gas before you start and make sure you bring a camera because looking down at the valley floors will take your breath away.

Road Quality

Have you ever driven down an 8% grade hill only to be relieved to have made it to the bottom and survived the 25 mph turns that switched into and out of the mountain side on the way. This road is thrilling at times but not dangerous. Experience and bike control are needed, but patience are much more in demand. The road is a bit narrow at times so keep your eyes forward.

Roadside Amenities

Camping is always better on a hill top over looking Seneca Rocks, it's a sheer rock wall that jets straight up from a mountain side where horse-back riding is available to the top, where a look out stand awaits. But if you prefer to hike or climb it it's there too. Pull-overs abound and caverns await just a few miles from the main route. Fill up with gas before you start and make sure you bring a camera because looking down at the valley floors will take your breath away.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) (Route starts in Virginia but most of the route lies in West Virginia)Daniel-son

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Reviewed by Guest on February 15, 2011 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: SR McCaffrey
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Honda
Comment: Rt 33 provides exquisite twists and turns, drops and climbs, with extreme views and vistas. It is an uncommon road for the eastern US. Start at the old town of Harrisonburg, Virginia and climb into some of the most desolate mountainous wilderness of E. West Virginia. Continue on to Seneca Rocks with some of the most stunning rock formations east of the the Rockies.
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Reviewed by Pluggy on November 2, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Pluggy
motorcycle_year: 2003
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Standard
Comment: Route 33 from Elkton into Harrisonburg is also a good ride. Coming down the mountain into the valley there's a beautiful view, particularly in the Fall. This road has less RV traffic than most in that area. Enjoy it.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 6, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Vegas
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Victory
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Absolutely the finest ride I have taken! I started a Seneca Rocks and headed east toward Harisonburg. The combination of deeply beautiful scenery and really excellently engineered roads (especially in WV) make this route motorcycle heaven. There are a bunch of 180 degree turns going up 9% grade. I was giggling with rapture for most of the ride. Do this ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on May 27, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Tricia
motorcycle_year: 1998
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: Rode all around the Seneca Rocks National Park, and even stayed there in a log cabin! Absolutely Beautiful area! Highly recommend! Rode the Monongahlea, some of the most beautiful scenery and even witnessed some wildlife crossing the road. Our group decided it was worth the ride, a hidden treasure, that we were not expecting!!
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Reviewed by Guest on October 7, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Mike Sites
Comment: Shhhhhhh - don't tell anyone about this....we locals are really getting worried about the popularity of this route with other sport bikers - its our play spot...we like it as much as Deals Gap...and a lot safer with wide shoulders and passing lanes on the WV side. Watch out for the law on Saturday afternoons...best to hit it early in the day before most of the sleep-in-til-noon-slackers get up there and make a mess of things.
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Reviewed by Guest on December 28, 2007 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: brad morgan
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: Victory
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This road is an absolute thrill ride ! I have to rank this one in my top 10 all time favorite roads. The 15 or so miles that passes over the mountain (Geo Washintgton Nat Forest) and the WV, VA border is THE BEST if you love peg scraping action !!!! I recommend that you ride this early in the morning to avoid traffic for maximum thrill and enjoyment because there are only a few small sections suitable for passing on this stretch....or you could just take-it-easy and enjoy the spectacular view !
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