WV-20 · Buckhannon to Webster Springs

WV-20 through the middle of the state, one way: from Buckhannon the route heads south past French Creek, home of the West Virginia Wildlife Center, and through Hacker Valley to Webster Springs, where the Back Fork meets the Elk River. It's 53 miles of curves with few services in between, so fuel in Buckhannon. Don't take Alexander Road as a shortcut: it's narrow and twisty.

From Buckhannon, WV-20 heads south into the hills of Upshur and Webster counties. Near French Creek the road passes the turnoff to the West Virginia Wildlife Center, run by the state Division of Natural Resources, which shows the state's native animals and is open daily from 9 to 5 from April through October and with shorter hours in winter. Farther south the road winds through Hacker Valley with no towns of any size in between, so fuel in Buckhannon.

The route ends in Webster Springs, where the Back Fork meets the Elk River. The town grew around a salt lick and later a spa, and since 1960 it has hosted the Webster County Woodchopping Festival on Memorial Day weekend. It's a one-way ride of 53 miles. Stay on WV-20: Alexander Road, which shows up as a shortcut, is narrow and tight.