Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Max Meadows, Virginia

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. There are a few ruts and mud holes, but nothing too extreme, and unless there was a lot of rain, it shouldn't be an i...
Learn more about Pond Lick Road

Walker Mountain - FS 206 is a Forest Service road running along the ridgeline of Walker Mountain within the Jefferson National Forest. The first half of the route is a relatively easy, maintained dirt road with occasional potholes and some encroaching brush. Around the halfway point, the trail passe...
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State Route 623 begins or ends in the Sharon Springs community and offers one of the most scenic drives in the area. This hard-packed gravel and dirt route is easy to traverse and provides breathtaking views throughout the journey. The trail winds through valleys, open meadows, and rural landscapes ...
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This mostly gravel road is fairly easy and does not require 4WD or significant ground clearance. This road appears to be used primarily for accessing horse camp sites, which are numerous. The largest horse camping area is the Hussy Mountain Horse Camp, which has a picnic area and restrooms. The road...
Learn more about Dry Run

This road is fairly easy and should not require 4WD unless it is very wet. Wildlife is abundant including deer, grouse, and turkey. The side route to Comer's Rock provides a scenic overlook after a short hike. Much of the trail would have good views in the winter, but most of the views are blocked b...
Learn more about Iron Mountain

State Route 625 is accessed from the small backcountry community of Ceres and provides a scenic connection to Poor Valley Road (FS 222). This route follows a combination of hard-packed gravel and dirt surfaces, offering travelers an opportunity to extend their off-pavement adventure while remaining ...
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Virginia Highland Horse Trail is a single-track, multiuse trail in Jefferson National Forest, accessed from Hale Lake Road (FS 798) on the eastern end and Route 21 on the western. The trail is open to motorcycles from October 1 through April 1, so plan accordingly. This section begins off a steep cu...
Learn more about Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Spur D

Hale Lake Road (FS 798) can be accessed from either Camp Road or Blue Springs Road and is a well-maintained forest road that provides a scenic, easy drive through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. The route offers convenient access to Blue Springs Road, where several National Fore...
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Blue Springs Road is a scenic, hard-packed dirt and gravel forest road that provides access to both Hale Lake and Comers Rock recreation areas. The route is easy to navigate under normal conditions and is suitable for all high-clearance vehicles, as well as most smaller AWD vehicles. A large dispers...
Learn more about Blue Springs Road

Overbay FS 644 is a Forest Service road running along the northern side of Glade Mountain. Winding through dense forest, the trail offers occasional views of the valley below, hiking access, and OHV riding. Although the route is not overly difficult, recently renovated sections still provide a touch...
Learn more about Overbay FS 644

Virginia Highland Horse Trail is a single-track, multiuse trail in Jefferson National Forest, accessed from Camp Road (FS 16) on the eastern side and Hale Lake Road (FS 798) on the western side. The trail is open to motorcycles from October 1 through April 1, so plan accordingly. This section begins...
Learn more about Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Spur C

Horne Knob (FS 4530) is a short trail that connects Camp Road (FS 16) to the Virginia Highland Horse Trail. Upon leaving Camp Road, the trail features a brief water crossing followed by a gate that includes a bypass for dirt bikes and horses. From there, it is a gradual descent to the horse trail. T...
Learn more about Horne Knob - FS 4530

Bear Creek Road is a hard-packed gravel road that winds through a scenic mountain setting before ending at a large gravel cul-de-sac that provides access to the Bear Creek hiking trail. Along the route, travelers will enjoy views of open meadows and peaceful forest surroundings, making this a relaxi...
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Robert's Cove Road can be accessed from either Comers Rock Road or Honey Grove Road and follows a well-maintained gravel route through the scenic mountains of southwest Virginia. The trail is suitable for all high-clearance vehicles, as well as most smaller AWD vehicles under normal conditions. The ...
Learn more about Robert's Cove

Glade Mtn FS 86 is a Forest Service trail located within the Jefferson National Forest. While a few portions of the route have recently been graded and finished with fresh gravel, other sections are less maintained, featuring scattered ruts and small rocks. The trail runs along the southern end of G...
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Glade Mountain Road transitions from pavement to dirt at the intersection of Glade Mountain Road and Mulberry Lane. This scenic route provides a beautiful drive through additional sections of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Several ponds can be found along the route; however, only one is...
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Totten Branch (FS 878) is a short Forest Service road that branches off Punch and Judy (FS 618). The first three-quarters of the route consists of a standard, rugged Forest Service road featuring a few ruts and potholes before eventually splitting into two short tracks no longer than a few hundred y...
Learn more about Totten Branch - FS 878

Punch and Judy FS 618 is a Forest Service road located within the Jefferson National Forest. The trail is predominantly well-maintained, providing access and connections between a handful of other routes in the area. Recent maintenance on several portions of the trail has resulted in smooth, graded ...
Learn more about Punch and Judy - FS 618

Virginia Highland Horse Trail is a single-track, multiuse trail in Jefferson National Forest, accessed from FS 857 out of Sugar Grove on the eastern side and Camp Road (FS 16) on the western side. There is also a midway access point via FS 4505, which connects to Camp Road (FS 16). The trail is open...
Learn more about Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Spur B

Cornflower Road (State Route 846) is a scenic route that begins as a gravel road before transitioning into dirt and eventually becoming a rougher dirt trail as it approaches the connection with Blue Springs Road. This route offers a unique change in terrain while providing access to the larger Blue ...
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Quarter Branch Road (FS 49352) is a mixed-use dirt and gravel trail in Jefferson National Forest, accessed from Forest Road 601 to the east. The trail is open to motorcycles from October 1 through April 1, so plan accordingly, as the trail transitions to horseback only beyond the motorized boundary....
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Trail 14 drops off from Trail 7 and descends through dense forest on a wide, smooth path. The surface has minor loose rock and shallow ruts but remains easy to navigate. The trail is directional from south to north and winds through tall trunks of maple and hop-hornbeam under a thick leafy canopy, o...
Learn more about Trail 14

Trail 13 is a short, 500-yard connector between Trails 14 and 7, directional from south to north. It winds through dense forest with a few slightly steeper spots, but overall it's a smooth and easy trail suitable for all skill levels. It's a simple spur that allows for some alternate routes in the s...
Learn more about Trail 13

Trail 5 is a short spur, less than a quarter mile long, that provides a smooth and easy bailout from Trail 4 to the main road (directional south to north only). The wide path winds through the trees with minor ruts, loose rocks, leaf decay, sticks, and occasional roots, but remains very manageable a...
Learn more about Trail 5

Trail 14 drops off from Trail 7 and descends through dense forest on a wide, smooth path. The surface has minor loose rock and shallow ruts but remains easy to navigate. The trail is directional from south to north and winds through tall trunks of maple and hop-hornbeam under a thick leafy canopy, o...
Learn more about Trail 14

Trail 13 is a short, 500-yard connector between Trails 14 and 7, directional from south to north. It winds through dense forest with a few slightly steeper spots, but overall it's a smooth and easy trail suitable for all skill levels. It's a simple spur that allows for some alternate routes in the s...
Learn more about Trail 13

Trail 5 is a short spur, less than a quarter mile long, that provides a smooth and easy bailout from Trail 4 to the main road (directional south to north only). The wide path winds through the trees with minor ruts, loose rocks, leaf decay, sticks, and occasional roots, but remains very manageable a...
Learn more about Trail 5

Trail 6 is a very short 270 yard bailout route from Trail 4 back to the field camping area along the main road. It is lightly rutted with slightly more loose rock than Trail 4, but still easy overall. The entrance from Trail 4 is somewhat faint and can be easy to miss.
Learn more about Trail 6