Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Barnardsville, North Carolina

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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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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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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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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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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White Oak Flats Spur is an easy, graded gravel route that provides a smooth and predictable driving experience. The road is wide and well-maintained, allowing for comfortable travel and easy passing in most areas. The…
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White Oak Flats is a mostly easy gravel route with a short but more technical section at the beginning. The first approximately 0.4 miles features a narrower two-track with a rocky descent that requires more…
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Sams Branch Road is an easy gravel route that offers a quiet drive through a rural setting with minimal technical features. The road surface is primarily gravel and generally well-maintained, making it accessible for most…
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No Business Knob is a tight but simple trail located in Cherokee National Forest. You will most likely get pinstripes from the branches lining the trail in an SUV or truck. The trail is just…
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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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Ephraim Road (FS 5583) is primarily an easy forest road that offers a straightforward drive with a gradual change in terrain as you progress. The route begins as a well-maintained gravel road with gentle grades…
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Rich Mountain Summit is the legal continuation of Rich Mountain Trail which has seasonal closures typically from December 20 through late March and is considered an 'out and back' experience. The Rich Mountain Summit Trail…
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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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After turning onto Rich Mountain (190) Trail, also locally known as Bumpus Cove, will open up approximately one-quarter mile in and allow for groups to park along the edge to adjust tire pressure when entering…
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Nestled in the heart of the Unaka mountains, the Beauty Spot trail (FS 230) offers a captivating experience for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. With its rugged terrain and awe-inspiring views of the majestic…
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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…
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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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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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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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Jennings Creek Road travels along the border of Cherokee National Forest between the Horse Creek Recreation Area and the Old Forge NF Campground. The campground has walk-in sites with a parking lot only 10 to…
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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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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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Red Fork Road is an easy, graded gravel route that provides a smooth and accessible drive with year-round usability. The road surface is well-maintained and follows gentle grades, making it suitable for a wide range…
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Rocky Branch Road is a moderately easy trail that offers a mix of gravel terrain with light obstacles and access to several nearby hiking areas. The route is primarily one lane with occasional pull-offs for…
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Take a quick trip through the mountains on this scenic forest service road. There are multiple water bars (rain/erosion control mounds) that can catch you by surprise, so use caution throughout the trail. There is…
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This route will take you on a journey through the mountains to the upper parking lot area, near the refurbished fire tower. Once at the parking area, it is a 20-45 minute hike to the…
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This is a relatively tame FS road that offers some camp spots, scenic views, and a peaceful drive through the mountains. Although the trail is mostly flat, you will encounter some potholes and small rocks…
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Take a quick trip through the lost settlement of Clarketown. Very little info is available for the history of Clarketown, which makes it pretty interesting and almost mysterious. You will travel on mostly gravel and…
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Upper Briar Creek (FS 4354) is a moderately easy trail that offers a mix of terrain features and gradually becomes more rugged as you progress. The route begins as a single-lane trail with scattered ruts,…
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Horse Cove Gap is an out-and-back trail that offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trail winds through lush forests, gradually leading to several overlooks that provide panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.…
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