Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Blue Ridge, Virginia

This is a challenging and scenic out-and-back USFS trail that rewards those willing to venture beyond the well-maintained sections. The first two miles are on a reasonably maintained road, and all vehicles should be able to comfortably reach the seasonal gate. The gate is currently open from August ...
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Pulaski Tract - FS 634 is a well-maintained out-and-back gravel trail that offers users an enjoyable route through the surrounding forest. Along the trail are two small creek crossings, each equipped with concrete pillars that allow smaller, lower-clearance vehicles to cross without difficulty. The ...
Learn more about Pulaski Tract - FS 634

Pulaski Tract is accessed from the end of Bethel Road and follows the base of the mountain before ending at a permanently closed USFS gate. The trail provides users with a peaceful route through the forest and serves as an important connection to several of the area's best hiking opportunities. Alon...
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Bethel Road is a well-maintained, two-lane gravel road that provides users with access to FS 634, the Glenwood Trail, and several local hiking trails. At the summit of the trail, users will find a wide parking area that provides convenient access to the surrounding hiking opportunities. One of the n...
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Fringer Trail is a well-maintained gravel county road that provides users with quicker access to several hiking trails along Glenwood Horse Trail. The route offers a peaceful and convenient connection for those looking to explore the surrounding forest and recreational opportunities. The trail is fr...
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Bobblets Gap is a natural surface two-track that starts on the south side of the Blue Ridge near Montvale, Virginia, and traverses up the mountain. At the top, it goes under the Blue Ridge Parkway and back off the north side of the mountain range, where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail and a...
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Steven's Road is a wonderful, flowy loose-pebble gravel road that winds through the countryside. The road is free from any major obstacles, making it suitable for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles. Two-wheel users should monitor their speed through the turns, as the loose gravel can make the corners slipper...
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Martins Lane is another well-maintained gravel road that provides users with easy access to beautiful countryside nestled beneath the surrounding mountains. The trail is free of major obstacles and is suitable for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles, making it an enjoyable route for a wide range of drivers. T...
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Hawthorne Hall is a well-maintained country road consisting of hard-packed gravel and is free of any major obstacles. The trail is suitable for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles, making it an easy and accessible route for drivers of all experience levels. The road provides a peaceful and relaxing drive thro...
Learn more about Hawthorne Hall

VA-614 is a well-maintained two-track and two-lane trail that either begins or ends near Peaks of Otter Park. When traveling from the Peaks of Otter toward U.S. 460, the trail follows a steady downhill grade and consists primarily of hard-packed gravel. The surface is generally smooth and free of ma...
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Peck Lane is a short but scenic trail that provides a convenient connection between Hawthorne Hall and Martins Lane. The trail consists of hard-packed gravel and is free of any major obstacles, making it an easy route for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles. While Peck Lane is not a long trail, it adds value ...
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This is a gravel FS road leading to prime trout water. It's a scenic short path off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go to the end of the road and take a left onto Jennings Creek. The trout water parallels the road for a few miles. The water is stocked and there are 2 nearby campgrounds off Jennings Creek Ro...
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Zion Hill Trail is another great addition to the local gravel trail network, offering users a peaceful and scenic drive through the countryside. The trail follows alongside open pastureland, providing beautiful views of the surrounding rural landscape and a relaxing atmosphere throughout the route. ...
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Kelley Hollow is a well-maintained gravel two-track Forest Service road that allows users to travel along the ridgeline across Switzer Mountain. The road is free of major obstacles and is suitable for most high-clearance vehicles. The route currently operates as an out-and-back due to a closed Fores...
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Price Mountain is a well-maintained gravel two-track Forest Service road that provides users with access to an out-and-back trail from the main road. The road is generally smooth and free of major obstacles, making it suitable for most high-clearance vehicles and an easy route for accessing the surr...
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FS 224 is an improved gravel road that is pretty well-maintained, winding up and down and around the mountain, and can be run in either direction. That being said, you should pay attention to washouts and downed trees due to storms. There are a few streams that cross the road, but they were only 6 i...
Learn more about Wildlife Road - FS 224

FS 5064 is a mostly well-maintained gravel Forest Service road that originally provided vehicle access to a scenic overlook with views of the Jack and Peters Mountain ranges. Recent storms have caused significant washout damage in the final corner before the scenic overlook, resulting in the road be...
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Mount Moriah Road is a well-maintained two-track gravel road that winds peacefully alongside a massive conifer forest, providing users with a scenic drive through the countryside. One of the highlights of this trail is the opportunity to pass by the historic Mount Moriah Church, adding a bit of loca...
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Patterson Creek Road is a great spot to find creek-side campsites. There are a half dozen sites scattered along this 7-mile route. Some are just off of the road, and a few are further off the track. You'll encounter several water crossings as well. Most are relatively short, but a couple on the nort...
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Middle Creek is a scenic gravel route in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Running approximately 4.2 miles, this well-maintained Forest Service road climbs from 1,406 feet to 2,892 feet. Its smooth gravel surface is suitable for most high-clearance vehicles and standard SUVs. The...
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Rattlesnake Trail is a 0.5-mile ATV trail that provides smooth, easy access from the large Rattlesnake Trailhead parking lot off State Highway 130 to the South Pedlar loop. It features large water bars and fast, flowy riding with rocks pushed to the sides. The trail winds through a scenic forest dom...
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Lone Mountain Trail is a 1.8-mile easy connector that cuts across the South Pedlar ATV loop, allowing riders to create shorter route options. The trail winds gradually through a beautiful forest dominated by eastern hardwoods, with tight corners and meandering curves that offer a more enclosed, inti...
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Terrapin Trail is a short, 0.6-mile connector linking the South Pedlar Trailhead parking area off State Highway 130 to the main South Pedlar loop. This easy, smooth trail is very wide with no obstacles, consistent with the rest of the trail system. It features the same hard-packed surface, scattered...
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Piney Trail is a 0.9-mile gradual ascent when traveling west to east, serving as a useful cutoff across the South Pedlar loop to shorten your ride. The trail is wide and smooth with well-placed waterbars, and any small loose rocks or leaf litter are mostly pushed to the sides. A few muddy ruts may b...
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A beautiful drive, and one stretch of Cove Creek Road even takes on the character of a western shelf road, skimming along the hillside with year‑round, stunning views. A few sections tighten up, but there’s still enough space for oncoming vehicles, making it a scenic and comfortable route for anyone...
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Cow Camp Road is an inviting mountain route in the George Washington National Forest that offers offroaders of all skill levels a gentle climb through scenic hardwood forests and quick access to famous Blue Ridge hiking trails. Spanning approximately 3.4 miles, this unpaved forest road ascends the s...
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Hog Camp Road is a scenic 5.8-mile mountain route through the George Washington National Forest, perfect for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, high-clearance SUVs, and SxSs looking for high-elevation access. Climbing over 1,200 feet from a minimum elevation of 2,465 feet up to a peak of 3,505 feet, t...
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Big Piney is a gravel road passing through a portion of the George Washington National Forest, offering access to hiking, camping and swimming. The trail is rocky and typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12" on the trail, including ...
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