Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Newport, Tennessee

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Hall Top Road

Hall Top climbs 1,500 feet over the five-mile route from the rhododendron shaded valley to the rocky peak above. The majority of the route is maintained, but some of the steeper sections are rocky and…
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Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Hall Top Spur

The Hall Top Spur allows access to the Hall Top Fire Tower, Big Fill Road, and Rocky Top Road from the eastern border of this section of Cherokee National Forest. The road climbs steeply from…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Big Clifty Road

Big Clifty is a mild introduction to the forest roads in the area. This seven-mile track climbs to the Meadow View Lookout Tower and is easily traversed by a 2WD vehicle. Cell service is available…
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Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Gulf Road

Gulf Road is a great route to take to gain access to some of the tracks at higher elevations. From here you can head up to Max Patch, explore Martha Sundquist State Forest, head out…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Meadow Creek Tower Road

This short two-mile trail is a great quick route to visit the tower. It's relatively tame outside of a few sections with larger rocks. When paired with Big Clifty, it makes for a nice 10-mile…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Old Buzzard Roost Road

Old Buzzard Roost Road is a nice adventure just a few miles from the interstate. You'll travel under the shadow of Mt. Sterling as you cross a few creeks and traverse switchbacks until you reach…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Brush Creek Road

Brush Creek starts out as a narrow paved road, but once it meets the western end of Weaver's Bend it transitions to gravel. This is a beautiful drive and the namesake creek parallels the road…
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Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Brown Gap Road

This route will take you from the higher elevations back towards Hartford. It generally a mild road, but a few sections include ruts and mud holes that might be more challenging during rainy weather. Be…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Buzzard Roost Road

While not as exciting in terrain as the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some amazing views and other interesting features. It's mostly gravel with a few sections that hold water or…
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Total Miles
10.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

Gravel Road through the GSMNP Cataloochee area to Big Creek. The road is suitable for most vehicles, but higher clearance is recommended due to some rocky areas. The road will close during big weather events…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Weaver Bend

Weaver Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. It transitions from gravel to dirt. Along the road, there are several marked campsites including several riverside. At it's namesake…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Creek Side Scenic Drive

This beautiful "Creek-Side Dirt trail is a must if you like driving on forest roads and you like the view/sound of the roaring creeks. If you ever plan to go to Max Patch (360 views…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Paint Mountain Road

Paint Mountain is a great way to connect Hurricane Gap to the east, with some of the other roads and trails west of this area. It's 1 to 1.5 cars wide and outside of a…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa

Hurricane Gap

Hurrican Gap is a well-maintained gravel road that travels from the Houston Valley area to just outside of Hot Springs, NC. While it's not particularly challenging, there are some great side trips along the way.…
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Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Rich Mountain Lookout

This short route is a must-see if you're in the area. If you're traveling Hurricane Gap it's well worth the detour. There area few campsites on the way up the mountain. Cell service is available,…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Jennings Creek Road

Jennings Creek Road travels along the border of Cherokee National Forest between the Horse Creek Recreation Area and the Old Forge NF Campground. The campground has walk-in sites with a parking lot only 10 to…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Cowee Bald

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…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bent Creek Trail

This is a short section of roadway out of Asheville that connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road winds up the Blue Ridge Mountains through scenic back-country areas with multiple trails and recreational areas…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Wash Creek - FR 5000

This is an easy road that does not require a 4x4. The road is not maintained when it has snowed. You gain 945 feet of elevation but it is very gradual. There are several places…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

No Business Knob

No Business Knob is a tight but simple trail located in Cherokee National Forest. You will most likely get pinstripes from the branches lining the trail in an SUV or Truck. The trail is just…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Lost Creek & Clear Creek

This route provides a bit more challenge and adrenaline than the majority of the roads in Chuck Swan WMA, but still keeps it well within the capabilities of most stock and slightly modified 4x4s. Along…
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Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Mossy Springs

This route traverses from the southern portions of Chuck Swan WMA to one of the more remote areas on the northern border. Along this route you'll find some easy but fun roads, a natural freshwater…
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Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Big Loop & Big Springs

This loop gives you a bit of everything there is to see in Chuck Swan WMA. This route is slightly rougher than Main Forest Rd, but still passable by capable 2WD vehicles except during the…
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Total Miles
15
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Main Forest Road

Main Forest Road runs from the entrance to Chuck Swan State Forest until it meets Forks of River Road, which will take you to the very end of this route. It's relatively smooth in comparison…
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Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Trans America Trail / SCAR Connector

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…
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Total Miles
76.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

5583

The trail at the time was snow-covered (approximately 3-4 inches) but it is mostly a dirt/mud trail. I didn't encounter anything that a normal 4x4 couldn't handle. The trail from the road is mostly uphill.…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Tri State - SCAR Alternate

This is simply a scenic alternative to the main loop of the South Carolina Adventure Route. It loops around the confluence of SC, NC, and GA extending your ride of the SCAR with some additional…
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Total Miles
26.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Trail 10

You can expect a nice easy cruise up the mountain. It is a fairly gradual grade increase with occasional sections of loose rocks along the way. During the fall it seemed as though the trail…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Georgia Traverse

Anyone who's heard a country song can probably picture Georgia. It's a land of green hillsides, charming southern towns dotted with white picket fences, and sunny fields tied together by red dirt roads. It's tough…
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Total Miles
372
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sassafras - SCAR Alternate

This scenic out and back trail is located West of Table Rock and largely paved. It will lead you to South Carolina's highest point of elevation and is a great addition to the main South…
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Total Miles
8.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi