Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Highlands, North Carolina

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

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

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

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

Tottery Pole is a side trail of the Georgia Traverse. It runs from FS86 (The Georgia Traverse) in the north and connects to Hale Ridge in the south. The trail is gravel and dirt (with…
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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

Segment 3 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…
Learn more about South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 3

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

This trail is an easy gravel ride that connects you to 155A. This trail can be completed in 2WD when dry, but it can get slick on the uphills after rain. There are 2 campsites…
Learn more about Tuckaluge Creek Road/153

Sandy Ford is a short trail that holds an amazing surprise at the end. The road is regularly maintained; the biggest obstacle is a creek crossing that gets up to 18 inches deep but is…
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This road is seasonally open during the fall and offers unmatched views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first part of this route is very easy to drive and crosses countless bridges over small mountain…
Learn more about Musterground Road - Part 1

This less traveled route in Clayton, GA, offers a relaxed ride on gravel roads that will become washboard after rain. This is the perfect spot to get away from some of the more popular trails…
Learn more about Lick Log Creek

This trail follows along one the the many Chattoga River plateau's that overlook the Wild and Scenic River. This is a maintained trail that is mostly gravel with many washboard sections. Camping is allowed in…
Learn more about Fall Creek - FSR 722

This trail follows along one the the many Chattooga River plateau's that overlook the Wild and Scenic River. This is a maintained trail that is mostly gravel with many washboard sections. Camping is allowed in…
Learn more about Chattooga River - FSR 769

This trail leading to Woodall Shoals is the second-to-last rafting takeout along the Chattooga River. This maintained gravel road leads to the trailhead that leads to a perfect location to cool off in an Appalachian…
Learn more about Woodall Shoals - Road 757

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

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

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

This trail leads to the trailhead for Long Creek Falls, one of the most iconic falls along the wild and scenic Chattoga River. This trail leads from the main highway to the large parking area…
Learn more about Long Creek Falls - RD 755

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 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)

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

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

Shooting Tree Ridge is a gravel forest road located within the Jocassee Gorges of upstate South Carolina, just east of Lake Jocassee in Pickens County. The 8.5-mile trail runs from Cleo Chapman Highway in Eastatoee,…
Learn more about Shooting Tree Ridge Road

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 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

Dawkins Flat Road is a 3-mile-long gravel road, the road cutting through the Jocassee Gorges and Laurel Fork Heritage Wildlife Management areas. The road is generally open to motorized vehicles from September 15 through January…
Learn more about Dawkins Flat Road

West of Table Rock you will find this scenic out-and-back diversion. It's a nice addition to add some more challenging riding or driving to the main South Carolina Adventure Route loop. Along its path, you…
Learn more about Jumping Off - SCAR Alternate

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 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