Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Grandfather Village, 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 clearance, but caution is recommended due to a handful of small ruts, potholes, ...
Learn more about Roseboro Gragg - FS 192

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 Cove Trail, which connects to Upper and Lower Little Lost Cove Falls. A small wa...
Learn more about Lost Cove - FS 464A

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 the key trailheads along this route is North Harper Creek Trail 266, which leads to Harper C...
Learn more about Harper Creek Road - FS 58

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 few small ruts and exposed rocks. These obstacles are typically no more than a few inches hi...
Learn more about Pineola Road - FS 464

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 sections after rain. A few areas are narrow and may cause pinstriping, though it is wider than many nea...
Learn more about Alfred Woodie Lane

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 narrow portions. It is generally accessible for most vehicles with moderate ground clearance, ...
Learn more about Watauga Turnpike - FS 45

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. The trail follows several creeks, with Rockhouse Creek being the most prominent, and c...
Learn more about Roseboro Road - FS 981

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 width, and the presence of occasional ruts and muddy spots. The trail surface is ...
Learn more about School House Ridge - FS 4068

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 road. There are 2 mountain bike trails that either start or finish on this road. There are some c...
Learn more about Maple Sally

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. While the trail is accessible to most vehicles, some ground clearance is rec...
Learn more about Thunderhole - FS 4071

This Forest Service road is a well-maintained gravel route over hard-packed dirt with occasional small washes, typically less than a foot deep. It features multiple switchbacks bordered by scenic gorges on both sides and may have light water flow after rainfall. Some areas show signs of past washout...
Learn more about FS 496

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. The road to the north passes through private property with houses located close to ...
Learn more about Globe Road

Brown Mountain Beech Road is a smaller section of a town road that goes through Pisgah National Forest and the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. The road follows Wilson Creek and offers views of the river and evidence of damage caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. This damage includes dest...
Learn more about Brown Mountain Beech Road

Forest Service Road 210, also known as Roses Creek Road, begins at the south end of Table Rock Road. This route is popular for hiking access to three nearby trails, dispersed camping, and seasonal deer and dog hunting. The road is fairly well maintained with gravel over hard-packed dirt. Some sectio...
Learn more about Upper Roses Creek - FS 210

This short trail leads to two small campsites and a hiking trail. It offers a fun drive with a few mildly technical sections that require moderate ground clearance. The trail begins with a narrow, winding path that leads to the first campsite--suitable for up to two vehicles--and the first hiking tr...
Learn more about Fox Camp - FS 954

Raven Cliff is a scenic Forest Service road that follows Upper Creek, offering stunning views of the water along the way. The trail features sandy beaches, small rocky waterfalls, and rapids, with numerous walking paths leading to the river's edge for swimming, rock climbing, fishing, and playing in...
Learn more about Raven Cliff - FS 197

This Forest Service road follows Upper Creek and Craig Creek, with sections that also touch Wilson Creek. While there are some views of the surrounding forest, the most notable scenery comes from the creeks below. The trail also features several scenic single-lane bridges, adding a unique element co...
Learn more about Mortimer Piedmont - FS 982

This trail is fairly well maintained with gravel over hard-packed dirt. Some sections are narrow with pull-off areas, while others are wide enough for two vehicles to pass. A single water crossing has a warning sign advising caution during heavy rain and high water. Drivers should watch for narrow s...
Learn more about Steeles Creek - FS 228

Trail 1B is a well-maintained 2.5-mile UTV trail in Pisgah National Forest, offering a gradual 600-foot descent from north to south. Suitable for vehicles 65" wide or less, the trail is wide and smooth, featuring cinderblock paths, water bars, and occasional embedded rock slabs--some flush with the ...
Learn more about Trail 1B

Trail 6 descends from west to east, with the eastern section being the steepest. Open to vehicles 65" wide or less and allowing two-way travel, the trail offers a generally wide path that can feel narrow in spots due to encroaching bushes and low branches. Riders should be prepared for tight corners...
Learn more about Trail 6 Miller Circle

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 Cove Trail, which connects to Upper and Lower Little Lost Cove Falls. A small wa...
Learn more about Lost Cove - FS 464A

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 road. There are 2 mountain bike trails that either start or finish on this road. There are some c...
Learn more about Maple Sally

This Forest Service road is a well-maintained gravel route over hard-packed dirt with occasional small washes, typically less than a foot deep. It features multiple switchbacks bordered by scenic gorges on both sides and may have light water flow after rainfall. Some areas show signs of past washout...
Learn more about FS 496

Forest Service Road 210, also known as Roses Creek Road, begins at the south end of Table Rock Road. This route is popular for hiking access to three nearby trails, dispersed camping, and seasonal deer and dog hunting. The road is fairly well maintained with gravel over hard-packed dirt. Some sectio...
Learn more about Upper Roses Creek - FS 210

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 Cove Trail, which connects to Upper and Lower Little Lost Cove Falls. A small wa...
Learn more about Lost Cove - FS 464A

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 road. There are 2 mountain bike trails that either start or finish on this road. There are some c...
Learn more about Maple Sally

This Forest Service road is a well-maintained gravel route over hard-packed dirt with occasional small washes, typically less than a foot deep. It features multiple switchbacks bordered by scenic gorges on both sides and may have light water flow after rainfall. Some areas show signs of past washout...
Learn more about FS 496

Forest Service Road 210, also known as Roses Creek Road, begins at the south end of Table Rock Road. This route is popular for hiking access to three nearby trails, dispersed camping, and seasonal deer and dog hunting. The road is fairly well maintained with gravel over hard-packed dirt. Some sectio...
Learn more about Upper Roses Creek - FS 210