Trail Overview

Bald Mountain is a seasonal, two-way trail, about 10 miles in length. Starting at FR42 Coal Road, you'll be going up in elevation towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is continually rocky from the beginning to the end, with off-camber rock ledges throughout. Forestry signage along the trail shows alternative bypasses along the route, which are more difficult than the main trail. These bypasses circle out and return back to the main trail. The trail is very narrow, with pine and mountain laurel. Paint and body damage is not easily avoided. There are several depressions on the trail that collect standing water of variable depths, depending on conditions, but most have a rocky, firm base. Near the midpoint of the trail, there are a few depressions of standing water which have soft sand or mud bottom of variable depths. Cell signal coming from the bottom up is generally good, except for the last few miles. There are several scenic views along the trail, and numerous campsites near the parkway. This trail also is known as Big Levels Trail, or FR162, and is located near the town of Stuart's Draft at the bottom.

Photos of Bald Mountain

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

Multiple off-camber rocky steps and possible deep, muddy water crossings

History

Forestry designated Jeep trail.

Technical Rating

Jason Farneth

Jun 20, 2026

Open

This trail was awesome! Lots of cool obstacles to clear while climbing up that required good clearance. This was our first time off-roading in my stock Ranger Raptor. I only caught the skid plate once the entire trail, and a rock rail took a little ding. Overall pretty easy to navigate for a first timer. I knew we would be getting some pin striping, and it was pretty bad. Worth keeping in mind, a truck that wide was almost impossible to avoid the brush (mostly on the second half of the trail). Water was mostly dried up which worked out well for a solo vehicle. Brought the entire family as a Father’s Day trip and my boys loved it.

Corbin Sanders

Jun 07, 2026

Open

Trail is particularly dry. Large puddles that would usually pose a challenge are rather shallow. Otherwise very dusty. We were pretty much alone on the trail. As others mentioned the brush is very narrow in spots leading to a good amount of pin striping. If the area gets more rain later in the summer overgrowth could be really bad. If you care about your paint job, this trail is not for you.

Nathan Williams

Jun 06, 2026

Open

Weather has been dry so the trail is a little dusty generally. Still has some mud puddles but they’re mostly shallow. Per usual expect pinstriping due to overgrowth. It’s not as bad right now as it will be by end of summer. Only did the upper 1/3rd of the trail due to stopping to help not 1, but 2 broken down people at different points (I know they’d do the same for me if roles were reversed!

Mike D

May 25, 2026

Open

The mud puddles are back! Well sort of. Not as deep as when I ran the trail on 3Jan26 but not empty like has been reported. And mostly clear water vice mud. But this remains one of my favorite trails and is close enough to make a last minute decision to head out. I took the alternate trail that cut off the first big switchback and it was the most fun part and most challenging rock crawling wise. I stopped to reconnoiter my line a couple of times but the 4Runner (with 35s) had no problem. Highly recommend the cut-off if you've got the vehicle for it.

Santa

May 16, 2026

Open

Very dry. Water holes are just moist mud now. Pin striping should be expected.

Andrew Voorhees

May 13, 2026

Open

My first time on this trail, my friend I brought with me said all the water holes were about a foot less deep than he’s seen in the past. Lots of the more rough optional side trails have been destroyed/blocked with big rocks I assume by the forest service, but nothing to report on the main trail.

rob smith

May 02, 2026

Open

Got out early with a friend and had a great trip with almost no one else encountered. We started at the bottom and went up to the BRP. Some mud/water but not nearly as deep as they could be. Plan on pinstripes as the spring growth is coming in but definitely worth the trip. As noted, need a bit more lift and clearance on a few sections but stock 33s could make this by taking it easy. We ran on 35s and no problems.

Thomas P

Apr 26, 2026

Open

Had a lot of fun on this trail. Unfortunately all the famous mud holes were completely dry. So if you have avoided this trail due to that, now's the time to go. I will definitely be back later in the year after they fill up. It will be like a whole new trail. The alternate routes on the northern end are a bit more challenging. Definitely need a bit more clearance and articulation than the standard trail.

andy thomas

Apr 18, 2026

Open

Started off of coal road. The trail is rocky from start to finish. We had a stock vw touareg with us and he needed spotted in a few spots. The rest of the group were in modified vehicles on 33s and 35s and were able to take some of the bigger steps and ledges. There was very little water in any of the water holes. You can tell drought has been bad. Quite a few sections are typical virginia trail tight so pinstriping is inevitable for most vehicles. Overall a great moderate trail that can be done in most stock high clearance 4x4s.

Jeff Staples

Apr 12, 2026

Open

All in all a pretty good time. Me and a buddy took our vehicles (Jeep and Shitverado) up the trail, pretty good rock climbs that we had to get up with standard suspension but not impossible. Not too deep of waterholes either and the mud was managable (one of the mudholes had a hidden rock and I hit my undercarriage though). We got through it though and had a ton of fun.

Barry Parham

Apr 11, 2026

Open

Fun, rocky trail that requires some clearance. Water holes were dry.

Chris B

Apr 04, 2026

Open

6 dirt bikes and very little water. As always I enjoy this trail. Some pinstripes should be expected.

Colin Stanley

Mar 21, 2026

Open

Mark Cunningham

Jan 09, 2026

Open

Checked and it was closed this morning.

Mik Bo

Dec 13, 2025

Open

South gate off of blueridge parkway is closed. You'll have to enter from the north off of coal road. Conditions were fair a mix of snow and some crunchy ice makes things more challenging