Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Troutdale, Virginia

Locally known as The Scales, Pine Mountain Road is a gravel and dirt road that connects to the Scales Group Camp. The camping area is on the border of Grayson Highlands State Park and the Mt. Rogers Recreation Area. The route includes a few steep switchbacks, some rock areas, and a few muddy pothole...
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Virginia Highland Horse Trail is a single-track, multi-use trail in Jefferson National Forest, accessed from Route 16 to the west. The trail is open to motorcycles from October 1 through April 1, so plan accordingly. The trail begins at a gated entrance off Route 16 with a big parking lot and a disp...
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Homestead Road is a bidirectional trail that can be accessed from either Highway 16 or Fairwood Road at the Fox Creek Horse Camp. The route consists primarily of hard-packed gravel and dirt, making it suitable for nearly any passenger vehicle in normal weather conditions. Along the trail, visitors w...
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Camp FS 16 is a Forest Service road located within the Jefferson National Forest that runs between Snake Den Mountain and Leading Ridge, providing beautiful views of the surrounding forest and mountains. Portions of the trail feature river views and access by running along Crigger, Cressy, and Middl...
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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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FS 857 begins off State Route 601 beside the Konnarock Appalachian Trail Crew headquarters and follows a well-maintained, hard-packed gravel forest road. The drive is straightforward and is suitable for all high-clearance vehicles as well as most smaller AWD vehicles under normal conditions, making ...
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Comers Creek Road - FS 650 is a Forest Service road that passes several notable landmarks, including Hurricane Campground, the Appalachian Trail, and Comers Creek. The trail is predominantly a well-graded gravel road, with a short paved section directly in front of Hurricane Campground. Along the ro...
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Panther Creek Road is a short, well-maintained hard-packed gravel road that offers a relaxing drive through some of the area's most picturesque rural landscapes. While the route is not long, it rewards travelers with beautiful views of rolling mountain meadows and locally-grown Christmas tree farms,...
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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...
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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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Flat Top Trail can be accessed from Forest Service Road 84 (Hurricane), which is part of both the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (MABDR) and the Virginia TransAmerica Trail (TAT), or via Laurel Valley Road (State Route 603) across from Grindstone National Forest Campground, which is curren...
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FS 243 is a hard-packed dirt forest road that provides access to several popular hiking opportunities within the National Forest. This out-and-back trail offers a peaceful drive through the woods and serves as a gateway to multiple trailheads, including Quebec Tower, Quebec Spur B1, Quebec Spur C, a...
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Barton Gap Trail begins off Stoney Battery Road and has recently undergone revitalization by the National Forestry Service, including grading and fresh gravel throughout the route. The trail features 2-3 smaller emergency dispersed campsites, along with larger dispersed camping areas capable of acco...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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Hurricane - FS 84 is a Forest Service road winding through the Jefferson National Forest. The trail runs along Hurricane Mountain, Grave Mountain, and Sharp Top, featuring beautiful views of the surrounding valley, forest, and Hurricane Creek. This route is a relatively standard Forest Service road ...
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Whitetop Mountain Bald Road is a two-track Forest Service road that winds up to the summit of Whitetop, Virginia's second-highest peak. The summit offers breathtaking, 180-degree panoramic views overlooking Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. This well-maintained gravel road is easily accessibl...
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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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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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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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Gentry Creek is a short, easy gravel trail that offers a simple and low-effort drive through a quiet setting. The route begins in close proximity to private property, so drivers should maintain low speeds, stay on the designated path, and be respectful of surrounding landowners. The trail surface is...
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Star Gap Road is an easy gravel route that offers a simple and relaxed drive through a rural setting. The road surface is generally well-maintained with gentle grades, making it accessible for most vehicles under normal conditions. The route is straightforward and does not introduce technical terrai...
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Trail 13 is a wide SxS loop between Trails 11 and 1 near the staging area, making it an ideal starting point for a ride. It flows beneath tall hardwood trees and weaves through dense rhododendron thickets, curving gently along the hillside. The trail surface is exceptionally smooth with very few roc...
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Gentry Creek is a short, easy gravel trail that offers a simple and low-effort drive through a quiet setting. The route begins in close proximity to private property, so drivers should maintain low speeds, stay on the designated path, and be respectful of surrounding landowners. The trail surface is...
Learn more about Gentry Creek

Star Gap Road is an easy gravel route that offers a simple and relaxed drive through a rural setting. The road surface is generally well-maintained with gentle grades, making it accessible for most vehicles under normal conditions. The route is straightforward and does not introduce technical terrai...
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Forest Service Road 43, commonly known as Government Road, begins outside the town of Damascus, Virginia, and travels generally south toward the Virginia–Tennessee state line through rugged forested terrain. The road provides access to public lands, remote recreation areas, and surrounding mountain ...
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Trail 13 is a wide SxS loop between Trails 11 and 1 near the staging area, making it an ideal starting point for a ride. It flows beneath tall hardwood trees and weaves through dense rhododendron thickets, curving gently along the hillside. The trail surface is exceptionally smooth with very few roc...
Learn more about 13