Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Waynesville, North Carolina

Old Bald Ridge Trail is a mildly used out-and-back two-track through the Nantahala National Forest. The trail is accessed from Moses Creek Road, which is asphalt up to the entry into the National Forest, where…
Learn more about Old Bald Ridge - FS 4652

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 significant weather events…
Learn more about Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

Wayehutta is a public OHV trail system in the Nantahala National Forest. Most of the trails in this system are accessible with anything from a dirt bike to a SxS. No 4x4s are allowed on…
Learn more about Trail 1 - Wayehutta Loop

Trail 1A is a wide OHV route ascends steadily up the mountain, climbing 300 feet over just over half a mile. The trail is fast and flowy, with gradual curves and waterbars placed throughout to…
Learn more about Upper Wayehutta Creek Trail 1A

Trail 2 features a shelfy route that contours the mountainside, with mild exposure and sweeping views at higher elevations. Starting at the northern end, it descends gently for a quarter mile before climbing steeply over…
Learn more about Locust Gap Trail 2

This segment of Trail 8 runs for 0.7 miles between Trail 7 and Trail 2, climbing nearly 400 feet in elevation. The route is mostly an uphill grind with several narrow shelfy traverses hugging the…
Learn more about Sawmill Bottoms Trail 8

Rated as moderate by the Forest Service, Trail 7 is a wide route that begins on Wayehutta Road just south of the staging area, crossing a small bridge before climbing steadily up the mountain. Riders…
Learn more about Hemlock Ridge Trail 7

Trail 9 is a 1.3-mile, wide path that traces the side of the mountain, offering a mellow and scenic ride. Mostly descending from north to south, it's generally easygoing with leaf cover hiding loose rocks,…
Learn more about Sunset Connector Trail 9 (One-Way)

Trail 10 is a scenic and well-maintained 0.7-mile loop indicated for one-way travel in a counterclockwise direction. It features a wide, shelfy route climbing the mountainside, with flat and ramped sections and giant embedded rock…
Learn more about Blanton Branch Trail 10

Trail 3 is a frequently used, rocky trail that winds through a beautifully forested section of the Nantahala. The surface includes small loose rocks and moderate curves, and the trail is noticeably worn and troughed…
Learn more about Black Mountain Trail 3

Trail 7A is an easy access connector back to the main staging area from Trail 7. Starting at its intersection with Trail 7, it crosses a wide bridge over a small creek and continues along…
Learn more about Rail Line Way 7A (One-Way)

Trail 11 features a shelfy traverse up the mountainside with a mix of small rocks, embedded rock layers, sticks, small roots, and occasional moisture. Multiple flat embedded rock slabs make it more interesting without adding…
Learn more about Buck Knob Trail 11

Trail 6 is more moderate compared to the challenging 6A. It still features some steeper climbing with embedded roots and small rocks scattered along the way, and it hugs the mountainside on a shelfy path.…
Learn more about Sunset Ridge Trail 6

Cold Spring Gap Road - CR 4663 is a well-maintained two-way gravel road on the northeast end and not quite as smooth on the southwest entrance, which is labeled Wolf Mountain Road - CR 4663C.…
Learn more about Cold Spring Gap Road

While less exciting in terrain than the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some fantastic views and other exciting features. The road is mostly gravel, with a few sections holding water or…
Learn more about Buzzard Roost Road

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…
Learn more about Creek Side Scenic Drive

This is an 8.7-mile gravel forest service road that can be entered from the south via the Fines Creek area, just east of Interstate 40 in Clyde, North Carolina. Traveling north, the road becomes gravel…
Learn more about Max Patch 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…
Learn more about Old Buzzard Roost 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…
Learn more about Brown Gap 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…
Learn more about Gulf Road

This is an easy road that does not require 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 along…
Learn more about Wash Creek FR 5000

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…
Learn more about Bent Creek Trail

Wolf Creek Road is a 6.1-mile gravel road kept in good shape by the Cherokee National Forest. It's mostly one lane, but there are plenty of wide spots to pass. You can access it from…
Learn more about Wolf Creek Road

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…
Learn more about Cowee Bald

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…
Learn more about Hall Top Spur

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…
Learn more about Hall Top 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…
Learn more about Brush Creek Road

Canebrake Road is a 5-mile-long gravel road that cuts through the Jocassee Gorges and Laurel Fork Heritage Wildlife Management areas. It is generally open to motorized vehicles from September 15 through January 2 and March…
Learn more about Canebrake Road

Canebrake Road is a 2.1-mile-long gravel road the road cutting through the Jocassee Gorges and Laurel Fork Heritage Wildlife Management areas. The road is generally open to motorized vehicles from September 15 through January 2…
Learn more about Jackie's Ridge Road

This road is seasonally open during the fall and offers unmatched views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first part of this route is very easy to drive and crosses countless bridges over small mountain…
Learn more about Musterground Road - Part 1