Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Chilhowie, Virginia

Locally known as The Scales, Pine Mountain Road is a gravel and dirt road that connects to the Scales Group Camp. The camping area is on the border of Grayson Highlands State Park and the…
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This access road to Pond Mountain Game Land is managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The road is a well-maintained gravel road but it does have multiple sections that are a 12% grade. There…
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This is the only unpaved route across South Holston Mountain. There are many off shoot trails that are open seasonally, but the main route isn't ever closed. You can access the Appalachian Trail from the…
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This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from Tennessee into Virginia. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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J1 serves as the main access route into the Jawbone trail system, beginning at the ATV trailhead and running over 16 miles to State Route 635. The trail starts as a wide, gravel two-lane road…
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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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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 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 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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J7 is an easy, wide gravel and dirt route that curves south to north through the Jawbone trail system. It travels under the powerlines with open skies above, offering gradual elevation changes as it rolls…
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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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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 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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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 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 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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J36 begins on the west end as a very easy, loose-rock path along a power line route before entering the woods, where the terrain becomes more rugged. The trail transitions to an uneven, shelf-like path…
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J16 is an easy trail winding through scenic, lush forest with moderate overgrowth in the center of the track and loose rocks scattered throughout. The terrain is slightly uneven, with the south end featuring a…
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J15 is a 0.7-mile easy trail connecting two segments of J1. It runs as a wide, flat gravelly dirt path with loose rock and shallow ruts beneath powerlines, following the shelfy edge of a scenic…
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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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J72 is a short quarter-mile connector between J1 and J35, passing through a lush forest of hickories and oaks. The trail follows a narrow shelf path cut into the hillside with gradual corners and a…
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J32 is a narrow, overgrown shelf path cut into the hillside, with a scenic ridge section along the spine of a hilltop. The surface is mostly smooth with shallow ruts, occasional stick debris, and gradual…
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J34 is an easy, gradual trail that begins as a wide, smooth path running alongside oil and gas infrastructure and under powerlines, with occasional mud puddles. The middle section narrows slightly as it enters dense,…
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J40 is a narrower trail that climbs from J1 into the woods with a tight switchback at the bottom. The ascent includes shallow ruts and a few sections of loose rock. The trail transitions onto…
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J33 climbs into the woods off of J34 with semi-steep grades and a series of tighter switchbacks. The surface is mostly smooth, with occasional stick debris, small roots, and infrequent loose rock. As it reaches…
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J76 follows a ridgeline under dense forest and is primarily an easy trail with a smooth surface and no significant obstacles. It begins with a steep climb from J34 at the southern end but quickly…
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J70 starts as a wide, smooth, gravelly route running under the powerlines before entering the forest along the spine of a hilltop, and narrowing up. The surface transitions to loamy soil with some loose sticks…
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J43 branches off from J34 and climbs into the forest on a semi-steep grade. The trail features loose rocks, shallow ruts, and gradual curves, providing a mostly easy ride. However, the incline makes it a…
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Running Flatwoods road from Hickory Tree TN to HWY 421. This includes a section of Forest Service Road 87A when open. The main route is open year-round and is a combination of gravel and unimproved…
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