Much of the route parallels the Little Muskingum River and travels through the heart of Wayne National Forest's Marietta Unit.

Upon entering the Wayne National Forest, the route generally parallels the Little Muskingum River.

At the Monroe County Airport, the route heads east through a mountainous region of Center Township.

The route makes several hairpin curves around its crossing of the Sunfish Creek but heads in a north-northwest direction after ascending a hill.

Almost immediately, SR 26 enters Wayne Township, Belmont County heading north.

[8][9] In 1937, SR 26 was extended north along unimproved roads from Woodsfield through Jerusalem and Bethesda to Morristown at US 40.