Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Athens, Tennessee

This is a relatively easy gravel road to navigate. There are a few rocky areas and some ruts that may require some vehicle clearance. The road is two-way traffic, so watch as you go around…
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 297

This is an easy trail that can be driven by any vehicle. There are a few places on the road to see some great views. Very peaceful drive through the woods. There are several places…
Learn more about Bullet Creek Ellis Creek 44

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road. You do not need anything special to drive this road. You may see some deer. There is a bridge close to the end of the road that…
Learn more about Starr Mountain Road 220

This gravel road runs beside the Hiwassee River for the first 2.25 miles, which is stunning. At mile 1.25, there is a place to park for a hike to what some people call Lookout Rock.…
Learn more about Spring Creek FSR 27

This trail is a gravel trail to the trailhead to some pretty cool hikes. With a few spots to camp down next to a quiet little stream. Along the way, you will find some washouts…
Learn more about Fingerboard Road

This trail is a service road across Chilhowee mountain that is approximately 10 miles and will take about an hour to travel without stops. The road is well maintained with some rocky surfaces with potential…
Learn more about Chilhowee Ridge (Oswald-77)

Clear Creek is located in the Ocoee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forrest. This trail travels over rolling hills with views of the surrounding mountains to the soft flowing water of Clear Creek. The…
Learn more about Clear Creek (FSR 185)

The route is a Forest Service road in the Cherokee National Forrest. The road is wide enough for two vehicles. It is mostly gravel and dirt with a few washouts. Be sure to watch out…
Learn more about McFarland Rd

Conasauga Spur A is off of Conasauga Creek Off-road Trail. It is a nice forest service road that is a nicely maintained road to the trailhead of Conasauga Waterfall. Along the road, there are some…
Learn more about Conasauga Creek Falls Trailhead

Forest Service Road 236 Smith Creek Road down to the powerhouse. The highlight of this trail is the powerhouse at the end of the trail. The Appalachia powerhouse supplies the Hiawassee River. During the summer…
Learn more about Powerhouse Road

Kimsey Mountain Trail on Old Highway 68 is one of the most underestimated trails around. Travel this in the winter and early spring and you will find out what I mean. Every turn greets you…
Learn more about Kimsey MTN (Old 68 HWY)

The trail winds off the side of the mountain down to the historic Coker Creek River. This is known as the Lower Coker Creek trailhead. You will find a few very secluded camp spots along…
Learn more about Duckett Ridge FSR #22B

The trail is off Fingerboard Road. It is mostly gravel with a few washouts along the way. This is a short ride off Fingerboard Road. However, the destination makes this short ride well worth your…
Learn more about Coker Creek Falls

This road begins right across from Tellico Beach, which is a great place to eat if you're in the Tellico area. The road starts with an easy climb with great views of the surrounding mountains…
Learn more about Old Furnace Road FSR 76

Gravel road to a beautiful bald that overlooks the mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Part of the Cherokee National Forests. To the north, you will see the Nantahala and Yellow Creek mountains of…
Learn more about Buck Bald

This is a forest service road with some beautiful views of the Ocoee Number One Lake. This trail goes by Bakers Creek. On both sides of the road at Bakers Creek, there are some camping…
Learn more about Indian Creek - FSR 302

About 100 yards into the trail, there is a decent hill climb with some decent-size rocks. High clearance is nice to have. However, stock rigs with the right tire placement will be just fine. Most…
Learn more about Smith Mountain

The trail to Waucheesi Bald is a gravel trail. The trail has been recently re-graveled. It is a two-way road so make sure you watch for oncoming traffic. The road will take you along Bald…
Learn more about FR126 Waucheesi Bald

This forest service road is gravel and easy to navigate, there are a few rough places along the trail but nothing difficult. It is located in the Big Frog mountain wilderness which is part of…
Learn more about Falls Branch Road - FS 374

This trail has easy access gravel road off Highway 68 in Farner. The road is 2 vehicles wide and has mostly gentle elevations. It starts out running parallel to the Hiwassee River and then a…
Learn more about Shuler Creek

The trail is a fairly well-maintained fire service road surfaced with gravel, which does not require a 4x4 vehicle to navigate. However, cell phone reception (Verizon) is not available while on the trail. There are…
Learn more about Baker Creek - Big Frog

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail,…
Learn more about Sina Branch Road - Big Frog

Apalachia Tunnel Road - FS 1166 changes to Turtletown Creek Road - FS 11651 and ends at the trailhead of Turtletown Creek Falls. The road is an improved two-lane gravel road that can be driven…
Learn more about Apalachia Tunnel - FS 1166

This is a reasonably well-maintained road that starts at Ocoee Number Three Dam. It is one of the main access trails for the Big Frog Wilderness Area Trails. You will gain almost 1000 feet of…
Learn more about Little Gassaway - Trail NF45

This is a nice easy-to-navigate trail in the Big Frog Mountain Wilderness, part of the Cherokee National Forest. The trail is fairly well-maintained so it should be accessible to almost any vehicle. Several areas along…
Learn more about Peavine Sheeds - CR 221

Anyone who's heard the old country song can probably picture the beautiful state of Georgia. It's a land of green hillsides, charming southern towns dotted with white picket fences, and sunny fields tied together by…
Learn more about Georgia Traverse

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail,…
Learn more about Blue Ridge Trail - Big Frog

This is a well-groomed, gravel, fire service road. You do not need a 4x4 to do this trail. We did not have cell service (Verizon) on this trail. In the fall there should be some…
Learn more about FS 221 - Big Frog

This trail is to the top of Waucheesi Mountain. Truly a beautiful sight to behold. The trail stems off of Bald river road in the Tellico Mountains. The trail starts on a nice gravel path…
Learn more about Waucheesi Mountain Overlook

This trail is less maintained than the other trails in the area. There are some places with deep ruts and one place that is off-camber that we marked with 18 degrees of roll. I would…
Learn more about Big Frog - FS 62