Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cooleemee, North Carolina

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South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 4

Segment four transits the "midlands" section of South Carolina, with the towns of Gaffney and Camden on each end. This section is mostly forested and contains a mixture of pavement, gravel, and clay roads. The…
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Total Miles
194.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 3

Segment three is the "upstate" section of the SCAR, and is bookended by the towns of Westminster and Gaffney. This section transits the Blue Ridge Mountains and consists of some fabulous gravel roads with a…
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Total Miles
202.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

SCAR Northeast Alternate

Covering the northeast portion of the state, this significant addition transits Sandhills State Forest and the Carolina National Wildlife Refuge, providing an alternate route between Liberty Hill WMA and Francis Marion National Forest. Campsites marked…
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Total Miles
228.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pond Lick Road

This dirt track travels just north of Gatewood Reservoir. At just under 3 miles, it's a great quick run, or you can add to a route that includes some of the other local forest roads.…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Liberty Hill - SCAR Alternate

This route lies between Great Falls and Camden and offers a more exhilarating alternative along the South Carolina Adventure Route. It consistently contains a number of short sections with mud and/or standing water, which can…
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Total Miles
14.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Old NC 105

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and of Table Rock Mountain. There are numerous overlooks and…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

McQueen's Gap

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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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

SCAR Connector-Loop

This connector loop bisects the primary SCAR loop, running through Batesburg-Leesville, past Lake Murray, and through Newberry. It is 88 miles long, and contains a mix of paved and unpaved roads. Off-pavement south of Batesburg-Leesville…
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Total Miles
84.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Jacobs Creek

This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from TN into VA. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flatwoods Road to 87A

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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Total Miles
22.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flatwoods Road 87D

This is mainly a gravel trail with several muddy spots. The trail is mainly flat but does have rolling hills to travel through. I encountered several mud holes but none of which are of any…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa