Friday: Pack Up and Venture Out
Throw your hiking boots into the trunk and put your bicycle on the rack before you head away from the traffic. Then feel the pace immediately slow as you arrive in the mountains of Hardy County. Check in at a cozy B&B, a hotel or motel in town, a rustic cabin in the woods, or a stately, modern retreat surrounded by mountain views. Hardy County offers nearly every style of lodging imaginable.
After unpacking, take a robust hike, short walk, or scenic ride over the backroads to get your bearings. Rolling hills, quiet roads, and open skies signal that you’ve officially left the rush behind. Enjoy a casual dinner at Mack’s Bingo Kitchen in Wardensville, or at O’Neill’s (304-530-2727) or Mullins 1847 in Moorefield. If you’re in the mood for a candlelight dinner, visit the Guesthouse Lost River, or the Lost River Grill for an evening meal accompanied by live music.
Saturday: Explore the Park and Small Towns
Start your day early with hot coffee on the porch as you hear the birds greet the morning or venture out for a hearty breakfast at the Lost River General Store before heading to Lost River State Park. Spend the morning hiking forested trails, visiting scenic overlooks, or check out Hidden Trails Stables and join one of their guided horseback rides. For a bit more rugged activity, the Jay Moglia Memorial Trail at the park offers three miles of newly built mountain bike trails designed for riders of all abilities. Hardy County also has great road cycling – gravel, dirt, and hard surface.
Check out Raw Talent Ranch, a cycling mecca, and wind through the hills on roads that have been used for Olympic training. When you return next year, be sure to register to race in Lost River Trails Coalition’s annual Lost River Classic Gravel Race in August.
Want something less strenuous? Visit the Lost River Artists Marketplace on your way through the Valley for regional arts and crafts — and the Higgins House Museum in Moorefield — to explore our history, and yours. Permanent exhibits look at the history of log cabins and the role rural Backcountry residents played in the Revolutionary War. Or snag some tickets to McCoys Grand Theater for music and plays scheduled year-round. If you make it hear by the end of September, take a few hours to experience the Hardy County Heritage Weekend festivities on September 26 and 27.
At the end of the day, pick up great pulled pork or smoked chicken at BBQ Country in Wardensville or a wood-fired pizza at Lost + Found Pizza and Provisions in Mathias, then return to your cabin for a drink on the porch and a peaceful evening under the stars.
Sunday: Before Heading Home
Slow your departure and stop for breakfast at Drifters Café in Wardensville and visit Wordplay, an independent bookstore right next door. Lost River Trading Post offers an eclectic selection of art, crafts, and antiques that you can enjoy with coffee and pastries. Then head to the Wardensville Garden Market to pick up some locally grown, organic produce and freshly made baked goods (Like the great maple cinnamon rolls!) to take a bit of Hardy County back with you.
Plan Your Visit to Hardy County, WV Today!
Feature image courtesy Visit Hardy, WV
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