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…
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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…
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This access road to Pond Mountain Game Land is managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The road is a well-maintained gravel road but it does have multiple sections that are a 12% grade. There…
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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…
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From the east end, Trail 11 follows a powerline corridor and features a series of steep hill climbs, often presenting split lines where one side offers a more gradual ascent. The surface includes shallow ruts…
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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…
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Trail Y1 at Doe Mountain is a beginner-focused training trail designed to give new riders a solid introduction to single track riding. Marked with tape in spots for easy navigation, it follows a wide corridor…
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Trail Y2 at Doe Mountain is a beginner-friendly, wider single-track that rides more like a two-track along the edge of a hillside. It features gradual curves and a smooth surface with only minimal loose rock,…
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The west end of Trail 117 begins directly across from the Trials Area, near Storm Shelter 1. This half-mile trail features a steep but brief climb through a dense forest of rhododendron and hardwoods such…
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Trail 1 serves as the main 8-mile east-to-west access corridor at Doe Mountain Recreation Area, connecting the main parking area to the Morfield Branch Trailhead. Although considered easy the entire route, the eastern section starts…
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Trail 17 is a smooth, wide, and gradual access trail that begins at Trail 1 near the Trials Training Area and Storm Shelter. It provides an easy connection to the R&D Campground on the southern…
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Trail 317 is a 0.8-mile connector route between Trails 17 and 23. Recent trail maintenance is evident, including a newly constructed bridge over the culvert at its intersection with Trail 17. The trail is generally…
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Trail 23 at Doe Mountain Recreation Area offers a wide, well-maintained path ideal for SxS drivers seeking a smooth, fast east-west connector. Much like Trail 21, it features broad, gradual curves and a nearly debris-free…
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Trail 21 offers a smooth, flowing ride with sweeping turns and minimal elevation change--ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a break from rocky terrain. The trail is mostly mild, with only a few scattered…
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Trail 16 is a curvy, up-and-down ride that brings a little excitement without being too technical. It's steep in spots, but the surface itself is mostly easy. It has a few loose rock sections, but…
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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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Trail 20 is a short, scenic climb branching off from Trail 1, offering a more gradual ascent to the Lofty Top Overlook compared to the steeper Trail 20B. Though not as steep, it's super wide,…
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This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from Tennessee into Virginia. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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Trail 821 is a short, half-mile connector linking Trail 21 to Trail 23, offering a steeper climb from south to north. Though it's narrower than surrounding trails and winds through dense rhododendron, it remains mostly…
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Trail 25 is a 0.2-mile spur up to the Kettlefoot Lookout Tower. The trail has small loose rocks and some bigger embedded ones that make it a jarring ride, but not difficult. The lookout tower…
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Trail 22 begins with a smooth, gradual climb from Trail 1 before rounding a blind corner into a series of descending switchbacks down the mountainside. Most turns are wide and manageable, though a few are…
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Trail 326 forms a scenic .6-mile loop branching off Trail 26, offering a mellow ride through thick rhododendron thickets and dense canopy cover that gives the route a lush, jungle-like ambiance. The trail is mostly…
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Trail 24 is a short, quarter-mile connector between Trails 26 and 28. It features one steep corner that switchbacks up the hill, followed by a steep descent down to 28. The trail is mostly smooth…
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Trail 526 begins as a relatively easy route with small loose rock and occasional puddles, winding through dense rhododendron thickets that create a lush, almost jungle-like atmosphere. The trail passes a storm shelter and gradually…
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J1 serves as the main access route into the Jawbone trail system, beginning at the ATV trailhead and running over 16 miles to State Route 635. The trail starts as a wide, gravel two-lane road…
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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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OP 16 is a 1.7-mile trail in the western section of the system, offering a slightly more difficult ride due to occasional steeper grades, embedded rock layers, and loose rock. It sometimes parallels a ravine…
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OP 26 is a 0.6-mile easy trail that begins on a flat hilltop and gradually transitions into a steeper descent. The northern section travels over smooth, mildly uneven ground with ruts and dips before dropping…
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OP 87 forms a half-mile loop off of OP 26, offering an easy route with a bit of elevation change. Running counterclockwise, the trail descends a semi-steep grade before looping back uphill to reconnect with…
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OP 61 is a gradually descending route that begins at its north end on a wide gravelly path on the hilltops, passing through several large intersections that offer convenient rest stops and scenic viewpoints. As…
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