Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Asheville, North Carolina

This is a short section of roadway out of Asheville that connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road winds up the Blue Ridge Mountains through scenic back-country areas with multiple trails and recreational areas…
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This is an easy road that does not require 4x4. The road is not maintained when it has snowed. You gain 945 feet of elevation, but it is very gradual. There are several places along…
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Avery Creek is a well-maintained gravel road that winds through Pisgah National Forest. This is a single-track road with room to pass most of the way through. There are lots of great creekside campsites toward…
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South Toe River is a basic, but scenic trail located near Mount Mitchell in North Carolina. The trail begins at the Blue Ridge Parkway on its south end and terminates at the Toe River Trail…
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This trail might suit you if you're looking for a scenic side trip on the South Carolina Adventure Route. It runs along the outskirts of the Dupont State Forest and provides ridgetop views. The trail…
Learn more about Pinnacle - SCAR Alternate

This is an easy, mostly gravel and dirt trail. It has some small rocks and holes throughout, and good views in the winter when the trees are bare. It has wildlife land and public lands…
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Segment 3 is the "upstate" section of the SCAR, and is bookended by the towns of Westminster and Gaffney. This section transits the Blue Ridge Mountains and consists of some fabulous gravel roads with a…
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This is a short dirt and gravel trail that can be combined with Pinnacle Mountain Road to make a great loop. It runs along a small stream with great views of the stream and a…
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Hurrican Gap is a well-maintained gravel road that travels from the Houston Valley area to just outside of Hot Springs, NC. While it's not particularly challenging, there are some great side trips along the way.…
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Cathey's Creek Road (FS 471) is a quintessential 7.4-mile gravel route through the lush, high-canopy forests of the Pisgah National Forest. Starting off US Route 64, the trail maintains a steady, winding climb as it…
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Sugarloaf Mountain Road is an easy gravel route that provides access to Pisgah Game Land while offering a scenic drive up the mountainside. The trail begins by passing near residential homes, so drivers should maintain…
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This is an 8.7-mile gravel forest service road that can be entered from the south via the Fines Creek area, just east of Interstate 40 in Clyde, North Carolina. Traveling north, the road becomes gravel…
Learn more about Max Patch Road

This short route is a must-see if you're in the area. If you're traveling Hurricane Gap it's well worth the detour. There area few campsites on the way up the mountain. Cell service is available,…
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This beautiful "Creek-Side Dirt trail is a must if you like driving on forest roads and you like the view/sound of the roaring creeks. If you ever plan to go to Max Patch (360 views…
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Big Creek is an easy out-and-back trail that offers a relaxed drive with a few features that require attention. The route begins with a shallow water crossing before continuing along a primarily gravel surface with…
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This route will take you from the higher elevations back towards Hartford. It generally a mild road, but a few sections include ruts and mud holes that might be more challenging during rainy weather. Be…
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Wolf Creek Road is a 6.1-mile gravel road kept in good shape by the Cherokee National Forest. It's mostly one lane, but there are plenty of wide spots to pass. You can access it from…
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Cold Spring Gap Road - CR 4663 is a well-maintained two-way gravel road on the northeast end and not quite as smooth on the southwest entrance, which is labeled Wolf Mountain Road - CR 4663C.…
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Granny Lewis is an easy out-and-back trail that follows closely along Granny Lewis Creek, offering a relaxed drive with frequent water views and a quiet forest setting. The route is primarily smooth and consistent, making…
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Turning to gravel 5 miles in, Viking Mountain Road is a 3.5-mile out-and-back single-lane forest service road on the Tennessee side of the Cherokee National Forest, southeast of Greeneville, Tennessee, leading up to the Bald…
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Cove Creek Road is a short gravel route that offers a quick but scenic connection in the area, often used as an access point toward the Cataloochee Turnpike. The road surface is primarily gravel and…
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Gravel Road through the GSMNP Cataloochee area to Big Creek. The road is suitable for most vehicles, but higher clearance is recommended due to some rocky areas. The road will close during significant weather events…
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While less exciting in terrain than the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some fantastic views and other exciting features. The road is mostly gravel, with a few sections holding water or…
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This is a windy gravel mountain road. It winds along the edge of the mountain with mild elevation changes. Beautiful drive with a couple of good spots to catch a view, although there are no…
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This is a 4.2-mile out-and-back single-lane forest service road on the Tennessee side of the Cherokee National Forest, southeast of Greeneville, Tennessee, leading up to the Bald Mountains region. It is accessed from Greeneville, TN…
Learn more about Round Knob Road - FS88

Weaver Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. It transitions from gravel to dirt. Along the road, there are several marked campsites, including several riverside. At its namesake…
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Huntdale Road is an easy, graded gravel route that offers a short but scenic drive with several unique features along the way. The road is generally straightforward and accessible for most drivers under normal conditions,…
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Paint Mountain is a great way to connect Hurricane Gap to the east, with some of the other roads and trails west of this area. It's 1 to 1.5 cars wide and outside of a…
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Flat Top Road is an easy gravel route that offers a relaxed drive with gentle grades and rolling elevation changes. The road is mostly single lane but includes plenty of pull-off areas for passing, making…
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This is a short out-and-back trail with multiple primitive campsites and fire rings. The campsite on the south end has room for multiple vehicles with rooftop tents and plenty of room for ground tents with…
Learn more about Paint Pond Trail