Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Bryson City, North Carolina

This trail features elevation changes, switchbacks, some rocky terrain, a few washboard areas, and blind curves with potential oncoming vehicles. The path is one vehicle wide with places to pass. Not a high degree of…
Learn more about Cowee Bald

If you want to connect the Trans America Trail with the South Carolina Adventure Route, this is your path. It's located North of Walhalla, and connects the SCAR to both the TAT and the Smokey…
Learn more about Trans America Trail / SCAR Connector

Trail 11 features a shelfy traverse up the mountainside with a mix of small rocks, embedded rock layers, sticks, small roots, and occasional moisture. Multiple flat embedded rock slabs make it more interesting without adding…
Learn more about Buck Knob Trail 11

Trail 10 is a scenic and well-maintained 0.7-mile loop indicated for one-way travel in a counterclockwise direction. It features a wide, shelfy route climbing the mountainside, with flat and ramped sections and giant embedded rock…
Learn more about Blanton Branch Trail 10

Wayehutta is a public OHV trail system in the Nantahala National Forest. Most of the trails in this system are accessible with anything from a dirt bike to a SxS. No 4x4s are allowed on…
Learn more about Trail 1 - Wayehutta Loop

Rated as moderate by the Forest Service, Trail 7 is a wide route that begins on Wayehutta Road just south of the staging area, crossing a small bridge before climbing steadily up the mountain. Riders…
Learn more about Hemlock Ridge Trail 7

Trail 7A is an easy access connector back to the main staging area from Trail 7. Starting at its intersection with Trail 7, it crosses a wide bridge over a small creek and continues along…
Learn more about Rail Line Way 7A (One-Way)

Trail 9 is a 1.3-mile, wide path that traces the side of the mountain, offering a mellow and scenic ride. Mostly descending from north to south, it's generally easygoing with leaf cover hiding loose rocks,…
Learn more about Sunset Connector Trail 9 (One-Way)

This segment of Trail 8 runs for 0.7 miles between Trail 7 and Trail 2, climbing nearly 400 feet in elevation. The route is mostly an uphill grind with several narrow shelfy traverses hugging the…
Learn more about Sawmill Bottoms Trail 8

Trail 6 is more moderate compared to the challenging 6A. It still features some steeper climbing with embedded roots and small rocks scattered along the way, and it hugs the mountainside on a shelfy path.…
Learn more about Sunset Ridge Trail 6

Trail 3 is a frequently used, rocky trail that winds through a beautifully forested section of the Nantahala. The surface includes small loose rocks and moderate curves, and the trail is noticeably worn and troughed…
Learn more about Black Mountain Trail 3

Trail 2 features a shelfy route that contours the mountainside, with mild exposure and sweeping views at higher elevations. Starting at the northern end, it descends gently for a quarter mile before climbing steeply over…
Learn more about Locust Gap Trail 2

Trail 1A is a wide OHV route ascends steadily up the mountain, climbing 300 feet over just over half a mile. The trail is fast and flowy, with gradual curves and waterbars placed throughout to…
Learn more about Upper Wayehutta Creek Trail 1A

Tuni Gap Road, also known as Forest Service Road 440, is a 6.3-mile-long two-way gravel road that connects Hayesville, North Carolina with Andrews, North Carolina. It is one of the only routes that passes completely…
Learn more about Tuni Gap Road - FS 440

Old Bald Ridge Trail is a mildly used out-and-back two-track through the Nantahala National Forest. The trail is accessed from Moses Creek Road, which is asphalt up to the entry into the National Forest, where…
Learn more about Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652

The Deep Gap Trail, also known as FR 71, takes you from US 64 up into the mountains to the Deep Gap hiking trail in the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. There are several…
Learn more about Deep Gap - FR 71

Tatham Gap Road, also known as Forest Service Road 423, is a 7.1-mile long two-way gravel road that connects Andrews, North Carolina, with Robbinsville, North Carolina. Passing through the Nantahala National Forest, Tatham Gap Road…
Learn more about Tatham Gap Road - FS 423

Rich Mountain Road is 6.6 miles and runs through the Smoky Mountain National Park and heads North out of the park. The trail is composed of loose gravel and has several twists and turns up…
Learn more about Rich Mountain Road

Parson Branch is a full gravel, one-way, scenic route that leads through the Smoky Mountains. The road is maintained, however, you may find the occasional tree down after heavy storms. This is usually not a…
Learn more about Parson Branch Road

Tallulah River Trail takes you from Persimmon Road to the Deep Gap/Beech Creek Trailhead in North Carolina. That trail takes you along the Tallulah River. There are several beautiful Campgrounds next to the water. You…
Learn more about Tallulah River Trail - FR 70

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

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…
Learn more about Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

Blue Valley Road winds through the scenic Blue Valley Experimental Forest near Highlands, North Carolina. Starting with a brief stretch of pavement, the road quickly transitions to gravel, passing scattered homes before opening into a…
Learn more about Blue Valley Road

This is a very easy and maintained gravel road. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. There are lots of places to camp but you are required to camp in designated areas...we saw some…
Learn more about Upper Santeetlah - 81

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…
Learn more about Buzzard Roost Road

This is simply a scenic alternative to the main loop of the South Carolina Adventure Route. It loops around the confluence of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, extending your ride of the SCAR with…
Learn more about Tri State - SCAR Alternate

Slickrock Road is a gravel route that winds through the Nantahala National Forest. It is primarily one vehicle wide, though there are plenty of areas with room to pass. The road begins at Tapoco Road…
Learn more about Slickrock Road

Old Buzzard Roost Road is a nice adventure just a few miles from the interstate. You'll travel under the shadow of Mt. Sterling as you cross a few creeks and traverse switchbacks until you reach…
Learn more about Old Buzzard Roost Road

Hale Ridge is a gravel and rock road in Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest. The trail runs from FS86 (The Georgia Traverse) in the north, to Warwoman Road in the south. Hale Ridge is a basic…
Learn more about Hale Ridge

This 7+ mile Forrest Service Road connects to the top-rated Sarahs Creek and offers many opportunities for camping and some fishing along the way. Most of the road is well maintained and wide enough for…
Learn more about Walnut Fork