There’s a little-known but exceptionally well-preserved rock formation hidden away on the Highland Scenic Highway between the Seneca Trail (U.S. Route 219) and Williams River Bridge, just after the Big Spruce Overlook if you are driving the Highland Scenic Highway from Marlinton. Have you heard of it? It’s a geologic marvel that is definitely worth your time and attention next time you pass this way!

Hidden along the Highland Scenic Highway outside Marlinton is a short, quarter-mile loop trail through an interesting rock formation known as Honeycomb Rocks.
Management/Tripadvisor
It's easy to see how these rocks got their name: the pattern on their faces is in a definite honeycomb shape.
FL_TravelTheWorld/Tripadvisor
What's harder to understand is how this unique area has remained such a hidden treasure.
Mark Perschel/Google Maps

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The Honeycomb Rocks are a world-class example of quartz boxwork hematite deposit. They are formed by a combination of geologic folding and weathering. The folding caused cracks in the rock that filled with iron-rich water that eventually hardened into hematite.
Mark Perschel/Google Maps
Now, time is weathering away at the sandstone within the hematite frames more quickly than the hematite itself, forming a geometric kaleidoscope of raised square, rectangle, triangle, and diamond shapes.
Mark Perschel/Google Maps
There are dozens of examples of this honeycombing along the short 0.25-mile trail that is graveled and easily accessible for all ages.
management/Tripadvisor
Next time you take a drive over the Highland Scenic Highway, maybe to enjoy the mountain greenery or the fall colors, be sure to stop and take a short stroll around the Honeycomb Rocks Trail loop!
Sybil Fawlty/Tripadvisor
(Be aware that the Highland Scenic Highway is often closed due to snow during the winter.)

To better see exactly where the trail is located along the Highland Scenic Highway, use this Google Maps link.

We really do have some of the coolest rocks around here in West Virginia! If you’re a rock lover who enjoyed learning about Honeycomb Rocks, you’ll definitely want to know about this roadside fossil quarry!

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