Trail Overview

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 potholes, but nothing a stock vehicle with decent clearance can't handle. The group camp at the top can be rather popular on the weekends, but it's large enough you can usually find a spot to park your rig. On the way up, there is one trailside camping spot (pictured), but it would be tight getting a vehicle off the trail there. For the majority of the route, it's one vehicle wide, but a few spots provide opportunities to pass. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent along the route.

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Difficulty

As long as you navigate around a few of the larger rocks, a stock vehicle will be fine. A couple of the switchbacks are steep and sharp turns, so at a minimum AWD would be nice.

Technical Rating

Daniel Halsey

Jul 23, 2026

Open

Muddy/Wet

Matt M

Jul 09, 2026

Open

Normal

The trail up to the Scales is about the same as it's been in previous years. I recommend a 4WD vehicle on good all terrain tires, but you see people up at the top in 2WD minivans and small crossovers. I air down for the trail, not for traction but to make for a less bouncy ride.

Trey brewer

Jun 22, 2026

2023 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

This trail is rough and rocky throughout, making airing down highly recommended for a more comfortable ride. While the trail is not particularly technical, the uneven terrain and exposed rocks favor high-clearance vehicles. Most high-clearance 4WD vehicles should have no trouble reaching the summit and may not need to engage 4WD in dry conditions. Low-clearance crossovers and smaller AWD vehicles will likely struggle with ground clearance and rough sections. The summit features a beautiful camping area shared with Appalachian Trail hikers. Amenities include a vault toilet, multiple rock fire rings, and reliable Verizon cell service. The area offers excellent views and makes a great destination for camping or a scenic day trip.

Brandon Whelan

Jun 21, 2026

2024 INEOS Grenadier

Open

NormalMuddy/Wet

Trail is not technical, but it is very rough and bouncy, making for very slow travel. There were some mud spots, but all had very solid bottoms (could stop and re-start without any spinning). Our friends followed us up in a Toyota Highlander. It was doable for them, but line selection made it very slow (whereas in a 4x4 you could cruise over the rocks not caring about your line). Hikes from The Scales make it worth taking the road for a day trip and some lunch.

Jesse Stutts

May 25, 2026

Open

Slightly wet but no deep mud.

Michael Lilly

Mar 29, 2026

2024 Chevrolet Colorado

Open

Muddy/Wet

A bit rocky. Air down for comfort but 4x4 not needed. Any decent clearance 4x4 can handle this one and beautiful views throughout. Worth the drive.

Mark Henry

Mar 01, 2026

2025 Jeep Gladiator

Open

Muddy/WetRough/Deteriorated

Rocky and Fun. No 4 wheel drive needed.

Michael Byrd

Dec 17, 2025

2020 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Snow/Ice

Easy trail even in the snow

Stephen V

Nov 05, 2025

Open

Normal

Dave Helton

Nov 01, 2025

Open

Muddy/Wet

Nova Check

Sep 14, 2025

2023 Ford Bronco

Open

Muddy/Wet

Starts off a little narrow but opens up after a couple hundred feet. Handful of turn around points and rest areas on the way up. Trail surface is almost entirely rocks the size of footballs. Couple of small creek crossings. (2 inches deep tops)

Ben Mitchell

Jul 17, 2025

Open

It was raining while we were there. Saw 2 different groups of people riding horses. There are pit toilets at the top of the road and hiking/horse trails throughout. One spring next to the road. It is a bumpy road with puddles but overall I enjoyed the road for a quick trip. I wasn’t expecting to have to come back down the way we came in but that was probably me not reading about the road properly.

Patrick Hettle

Jun 04, 2025

2022 Land Rover Defender

Open

Rough/DeterioratedNormal

Trail is very rocky with lots of little softball size boulders. Slow going or its bouncy and rough. Didn't see any horses but there were a few campers and AT hikers once we got to the top.

Ben Giles

May 09, 2025

2018 Toyota Tacoma

Open

Normal

Daniel Hobbs

Apr 13, 2025

Open

Muddy/Wet

We didn’t see any horses today.

Pine Mountain Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

Full Width

Pine Mountain

Trail Overview

Photos of Pine Mountain

Difficulty

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Pine Mountain Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

Pine Mountain Map

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