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Highland Scenic Highway, Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives West Virginia West Virginia and Western Maryland

Highland Scenic Highway

Highland Scenic Highway, WV 150 · Cranberry Mountain Nature Center → US-219, north of Marlinton

Leisurely22 mi35 min2,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,500 ftOne way
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The drive

The Highland Scenic Highway runs 43 miles from Richwood to US 219 north of Marlinton, on State Routes 39 and 150. The 23-mile Parkway section, Route 150, is the part with the overlooks, and this drive covers it from the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center to US 219.

The highway rises from 2,325 feet near Richwood to more than 4,500 feet, with the high point on Black Mountain at 4,550 feet. The overlooks are Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel and Red Lick, each with a vault toilet. The speed limit is 45 mph on the Parkway section.

Along the way

  1. Cranberry Mountain Nature Center
  2. Highland Scenic Highway
  3. US-219, north of Marlinton
Elevation
2,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,500 ft
Cranberry Mountain Nature CenterUS-219, north of Marlinton
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Cranberry Mountain Nature CenterUS-219, north of Marlinton
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Route 150 is not plowed or maintained in winter and is often impassable. The Forest Service says travel is highly discouraged from November through April, and the road is closed when snow covered.
  • Overlook toilets close in winter, and there's no potable water at the site.
  • Commercial trucks aren't allowed on the Parkway.
  • The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, at the junction of Routes 150 and 39/55, is open April 16 through mid-October.

Not plowed in winter; usually snow-covered and impassable from about December to March. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Monongahela National Forest: Highland Scenic Highway.

Questions about this drive

Is the Highland Scenic Highway open in winter?

Not reliably. Route 150 isn't maintained in winter and is often impassable, and the Forest Service says travel is highly discouraged from November through April.

How long does the Highland Scenic Highway take to drive?

The Parkway section from the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center to US 219 is 22 miles and takes about 35 min.

What overlooks are on the Highland Scenic Highway?

Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel and Red Lick.

Are trucks allowed on the Highland Scenic Highway?

Commercial trucks are not allowed on the Parkway.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highland Scenic Highway, from Cranberry Mountain Nature Center to US-219, north of Marlinton