Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Northlakes, North Carolina

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Old NC 105

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and of Table Rock Mountain. There are numerous overlooks and…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 4

Segment four transits the "midlands" section of South Carolina, with the towns of Gaffney and Camden on each end. This section is mostly forested and contains a mixture of pavement, gravel, and clay roads. The…
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Total Miles
194.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 3

Segment three 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…
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Total Miles
202.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

McQueen's Gap

This is the only unpaved route across South Holston Mountain. There are many off shoot trails that are open seasonally, but the main route isn't ever closed. You can access the Appalachian Trail from the…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flatwoods Road to 87A

Running Flatwoods road from Hickory Tree TN to HWY 421. This includes a section of Forest Service Road 87A when open. The main route is open year-round and is a combination of gravel and unimproved…
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Total Miles
22.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Jacobs Creek

This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from TN into VA. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flatwoods Road 87D

This is mainly a gravel trail with several muddy spots. The trail is mainly flat but does have rolling hills to travel through. I encountered several mud holes but none of which are of any…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

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

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

Pinnacle - SCAR Alternate

If you're looking for a scenic side trip on the South Carolina Adventure Route this trail might be for you. It runs along the outskirts of the Dupont State Forest and provides ridgetop views. The…
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Total Miles
19.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Enoree River Southside Trail System

This trail system winds through the Sumter National Forest on the Enoree Ranger District. The trails have river access to the Enoree Canoe Trail that floats on the Enoree River. The trails are smooth, well-maintained…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pinicale Mt Rd

This is an easy, mostly gravel and dirt trail. It has some small rocks and holes throughout, and good views in the winter when the trees are bare. It has wildlife land and public lands…
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Total Miles
9.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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

Green River Rd

This is a short dirt and gravel trail that can be combined with Pinnacle Mt Rd to make a great loop. It runs along a small stream with great views or the stream and a…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Clinch Mountain Fire Tower

This trail goes up and over Clinch Mountain and descends into Moccasin Valley. There are many vistas along the way, both ascending and descending the mountain. The surrounding area is full of history and places…
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Total Miles
5.5
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

SCAR Connector-Loop

This connector loop bisects the primary SCAR loop, running through Batesburg-Leesville, past Lake Murray, and through Newberry. It is 88 miles long, and contains a mix of paved and unpaved roads. Off-pavement south of Batesburg-Leesville…
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Total Miles
84.1
Tech Rating
2 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

Pond Lick Road

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.…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Liberty Hill - SCAR Alternate

This route lies between Great Falls and Camden and offers a more exhilarating alternative along the South Carolina Adventure Route. It consistently contains a number of short sections with mud and/or standing water, which can…
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Total Miles
14.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

SCAR Northeast Alternate

Covering the northeast portion of the state, this significant addition transits Sandhills State Forest and the Carolina National Wildlife Refuge, providing an alternate route between Liberty Hill WMA and Francis Marion National Forest. Campsites marked…
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Total Miles
228.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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