Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Newland, North Carolina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bitter End – Lacy Trap is a moderately easy out-and-back trail that offers a mix of surface variation and light obstacles throughout. The trail begins with an entrance that may appear to lead onto private land, but it is a designated route—continue through the gate and cross both cattle guards to ac...
Learn more about Bitter End - Lacy Trap

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

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

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

Heaton Branch Road is an easy gravel route that offers a straightforward drive with a few features that require driver awareness. The road consists of a traditional gravel surface and includes numerous twists and turns, making it important to stay attentive, especially when visibility is limited aro...
Learn more about Heaton Branch Road

Walnut Mountain Road is an easy gravel route that winds through a mix of rural and forested terrain, including sections of the Cherokee National Forest. The road is generally wide enough for two vehicles and follows gentle grades, making it accessible for most drivers under normal conditions. Along ...
Learn more about Walnut Mountain Road

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 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 Forest Service road runs through Pisgah National Forest as an extension of Roses Creek Road, providing access to Table Rock and the North Carolina Outward Bound School. The trail is primarily composed of gravel and hard-packed surfaces, with the final few hundred feet paved as it transitions in...
Learn more about Rich Cove - FS 270B

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

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 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

Bitter End – Lacy Trap is a moderately easy out-and-back trail that offers a mix of surface variation and light obstacles throughout. The trail begins with an entrance that may appear to lead onto private land, but it is a designated route—continue through the gate and cross both cattle guards to ac...
Learn more about Bitter End - Lacy Trap

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 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

Bitter End – Lacy Trap is a moderately easy out-and-back trail that offers a mix of surface variation and light obstacles throughout. The trail begins with an entrance that may appear to lead onto private land, but it is a designated route—continue through the gate and cross both cattle guards to ac...
Learn more about Bitter End - Lacy Trap