Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Abingdon, Virginia

This is the only unpaved route across South Holston Mountain. There are many off shoot trails that are open seasonally, but the main route isn't ever closed. You can access the Appalachian Trail from the…
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McQueen's Gap Spur (FS 60902) is a narrow, more technical dirt trail that requires consistent driver attention from start to finish. The route is heavily defined by multiple off-camber sections that challenge vehicle balance and…
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This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from Tennessee into Virginia. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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Forest Service Road 43, commonly known as Government Road, begins outside the town of Damascus, Virginia, and travels generally south toward the Virginia–Tennessee state line through rugged forested terrain. The road provides access to public…
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Clinch Mountain’s Tumbling Creek route is a breathtaking ascent through the heart of the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This two-way gravel road follows the rushing waters of Tumbling Creek before beginning a dramatic…
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Star Gap Road is an easy gravel route that offers a simple and relaxed drive through a rural setting. The road surface is generally well-maintained with gentle grades, making it accessible for most vehicles under…
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Old Flatwoods is an easy gravel route located within the Cherokee National Forest, offering a relaxed drive with access to a variety of nearby recreational opportunities. The trail surface is generally maintained with gentle grades,…
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Gentry Creek is a short, easy gravel trail that offers a simple and low-effort drive through a quiet setting. The route begins in close proximity to private property, so drivers should maintain low speeds, stay…
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Big Creek Road is a moderately easy gravel route within Cherokee National Forest that serves as a connector to Flatwoods and Old Flatwoods. The surface is primarily gravel with a mix of potholes and occasional…
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Discover one of Southwest Virginia’s best-kept secrets. This scenic out-and-back gravel road winds through the heart of the mountains, leading you to the pristine shores of Laurel Bed Lake. At 330 acres, the lake is…
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This trail goes up and over Clinch Mountain and descends into Moccasin Valley. There are many vistas along the way, both ascending and descending the mountain. The surrounding area is full of history and places…
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Flatwoods Road is an easy forest road with a gravel surface that offers a relaxed and accessible drive through a natural setting. The trail is generally about one and a half lanes wide, providing enough…
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From the east end, Trail 11 follows a powerline corridor and features a series of steep hill climbs, often presenting split lines where one side offers a more gradual ascent. The surface includes shallow ruts…
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Trail 1 serves as the main 8-mile east-to-west access corridor at Doe Mountain Recreation Area, connecting the main parking area to the Morfield Branch Trailhead. Although considered easy the entire route, the eastern section starts…
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Trail Y1 at Doe Mountain is a beginner-focused training trail designed to give new riders a solid introduction to single track riding. Marked with tape in spots for easy navigation, it follows a wide corridor…
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Panhandle Road Crest is an easy continuation of Panhandle Road that offers a mix of gravel after a brief paved section (not mapped on OnX) as it climbs toward a higher elevation. The route remains…
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Trail Y2 at Doe Mountain is a beginner-friendly, wider single-track that rides more like a two-track along the edge of a hillside. It features gradual curves and a smooth surface with only minimal loose rock,…
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Trail 13 is a wide SxS loop between Trails 11 and 1 near the staging area, making it an ideal starting point for a ride. It flows beneath tall hardwood trees and weaves through dense…
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Tank Hollow Falls is a secluded destination located in Cleveland, Virginia. While the descent into the area is steep, the gravel road is firm and accessible to most vehicles. This route serves as a perfect…
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Trail 17 is a smooth, wide, and gradual access trail that begins at Trail 1 near the Trials Training Area and Storm Shelter. It provides an easy connection to the R&D Campground on the southern…
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The west end of Trail 117 begins directly across from the Trials Area, near Storm Shelter 1. This half-mile trail features a steep but brief climb through a dense forest of rhododendron and hardwoods such…
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Trail 326 forms a scenic .6-mile loop branching off Trail 26, offering a mellow ride through thick rhododendron thickets and dense canopy cover that gives the route a lush, jungle-like ambiance. The trail is mostly…
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Trail 526 begins as a relatively easy route with small loose rock and occasional puddles, winding through dense rhododendron thickets that create a lush, almost jungle-like atmosphere. The trail passes a storm shelter and gradually…
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Trail 16 is a curvy, up-and-down ride that brings a little excitement without being too technical. It's steep in spots, but the surface itself is mostly easy. It has a few loose rock sections, but…
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Trail 21 offers a smooth, flowing ride with sweeping turns and minimal elevation change--ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a break from rocky terrain. The trail is mostly mild, with only a few scattered…
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Panhandle Road is an easy gravel forest road that serves as a primary access route to several notable destinations in the area, including Holston Mountain, the Holston Mountain Tower, and the RF-4C Phantom Jet Crash…
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Trail 317 is a 0.8-mile connector route between Trails 17 and 23. Recent trail maintenance is evident, including a newly constructed bridge over the culvert at its intersection with Trail 17. The trail is generally…
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Trail 20 is a short, scenic climb branching off from Trail 1, offering a more gradual ascent to the Lofty Top Overlook compared to the steeper Trail 20B. Though not as steep, it's super wide,…
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True to its name, Rollercoaster Road is an exhilarating, two-track gravel "out-and-back" that mirrors the rhythm of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. This trail earns its reputation with a series of intense climbs, sudden drops, and…
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Trail 22 begins with a smooth, gradual climb from Trail 1 before rounding a blind corner into a series of descending switchbacks down the mountainside. Most turns are wide and manageable, though a few are…
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