Beginner Off-Road Trails Near West Jefferson, North Carolina

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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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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Globe Road is a well-maintained dirt road that serves as a connector between Blowing Rock and Upton, linking the northern section of Pisgah National Forest to its more central areas where additional trails are found.…
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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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Thunderhole is a small offshoot of Edgemont Road that features a narrower and slightly rougher trail. The majority of the route is well-maintained gravel, though a few ruts and small muddy sections are scattered throughout.…
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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 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 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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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 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 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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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 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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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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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 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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The Watauga Turnpike is a longer forest service road connecting the towns of Gragg and Edgemont. The road is relatively easy to travel, with the most difficult sections consisting of a few ruts, bumps, and…
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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 2C at Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park is a 2.8-mile, easy SxS loop beginning and ending at the main staging area. Riders experience a gradual ascent for the first half, followed by a smooth descent,…
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Roseboro Gragg is a rugged, narrow offshoot from Edgemont Road that offers a slightly more challenging drive compared to other trails in the area. The trail is generally manageable for most vehicles with moderate ground…
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The 1B Shortcut is a short, less-than-quarter-mile connector trail linking two segments of Trail 1B. It cuts approximately two miles off the main 1B loop. The trail features a mostly smooth, gradual surface with one…
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Trail 4B at Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park is a directional, one-way route traveling northwest to southeast, serving as a bailout from Trail 1B to return toward the office and staging area. This half-mile trail features…
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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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The Youth Trail at Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park is a 2.1-mile loop starting and ending at the main staging area, featuring a gradual climb followed by a descent. The trail is wide, well-marked at intersections…
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This shortcut provides a quick and efficient connection between the intermediate 1C OHV trail and the easy 1C OHV trail, also frequently used by dirt bikers on the 9C EXT single track. The trail is…
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Brushy Mountain's motocross track offers a natural terrain loop that's ideal for warming up or honing skills before hitting the trails. With hard pack red dirt and scenic views in the trees, it has medium-sized…
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