Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Beech Mountain, North Carolina

Roseboro Gragg is a rugged, narrow offshoot from Edgemont Road that offers a slightly more challenging drive compared to other trails in the area. The trail is generally manageable for most vehicles with moderate ground…
Learn more about Roseboro Gragg - FS 192

The Watauga Turnpike is a longer forest service road connecting the towns of Gragg and Edgemont. The road is relatively easy to travel, with the most difficult sections consisting of a few ruts, bumps, and…
Learn more about Watauga Turnpike - FS 45

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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Roseboro Road is a Forest Service road in Pisgah National Forest, primarily composed of gravel and hard-packed surfaces. Some ruts caused by storm runoff from Hurricane Helene in 2024 can be found along the route.…
Learn more about Roseboro Road - FS 981

Located within Pisgah National Forest, Lost Cove (Forest Service Road 464A) is a gravel-over-dirt road that is generally well maintained. It is an out-and-back route about one mile long and leads to the hiking-only Lost…
Learn more about Lost Cove - FS 464A

Pineola Road is a forest service road that offers access to hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and several campsites. The road is relatively easy to drive, as it is maintained, but recent storms have caused a…
Learn more about Pineola Road - FS 464

Trail 24 is a short, quarter-mile connector between Trails 26 and 28. It features one steep corner that switchbacks up the hill, followed by a steep descent down to 28. The trail is mostly smooth…
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This road branches off Pineola Road - FS 464 and leads to Kawana--a small neighborhood with a few homes and large gardens--while also providing access to several hiking trails and scenic forest views. One of…
Learn more about Harper Creek Road - FS 58

A nice, simple trail connecting Watauga Lake and Dennis Cove Campground through the Cherokee National Forest. There are a few decent camping spots, no cellular service, and minimal traffic. However, it is single lane in…
Learn more about Little Stoney Creek/Laurel Fork

Trail 23 at Doe Mountain Recreation Area offers a wide, well-maintained path ideal for SxS drivers seeking a smooth, fast east-west connector. Much like Trail 21, it features broad, gradual curves and a nearly debris-free…
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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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Trail 821 is a short, half-mile connector linking Trail 21 to Trail 23, offering a steeper climb from south to north. Though it's narrower than surrounding trails and winds through dense rhododendron, it remains mostly…
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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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Trail 25 is a 0.2-mile spur up to the Kettlefoot Lookout Tower. The trail has small loose rocks and some bigger embedded ones that make it a jarring ride, but not difficult. The lookout tower…
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Thunderhole is a small offshoot of Edgemont Road that features a narrower and slightly rougher trail. The majority of the route is well-maintained gravel, though a few ruts and small muddy sections are scattered throughout.…
Learn more about Thunderhole - FS 4071

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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Alfred Woodie Lane is a short trail that begins as a forest service road and leads to a group of privately owned hunting cabins. The road is poorly maintained, featuring small rocks, ruts, and wet…
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Globe Road is a well-maintained dirt road that serves as a connector between Blowing Rock and Upton, linking the northern section of Pisgah National Forest to its more central areas where additional trails are found.…
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School House Ridge is a narrower, more overgrown double-track trail that winds through a secluded area of the forest. It is slightly more challenging than other nearby roads due to less frequent maintenance, its narrow…
Learn more about School House Ridge - FS 4068

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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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 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 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 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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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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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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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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This dirt road is a scenic drive in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest. It is open year-round and can be traveled in either direction. Gravel bikes and mountain bikes are popular on this…
Learn more about Maple Sally