Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Hampton, Tennessee

Flatwoods Road 87D

This is mainly a gravel trail with several muddy spots. The trail is mainly flat but does have rolling hills to travel through. I encountered several mud holes but none of which are of any…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Flatwoods Road to 87A

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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Total Miles
22.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

5583

The trail at the time was snow-covered (approximately 3-4 inches) but it is mostly a dirt/mud trail. I didn't encounter anything that a normal 4x4 couldn't handle. The trail from the road is mostly uphill.…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

No Business Knob

No Business Knob is a tight but simple trail located in Cherokee National Forest. You will most likely get pinstripes from the branches lining the trail in an SUV or Truck. The trail is just…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Jacobs Creek

This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from TN into VA. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

McQueen's Gap

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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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Old NC 105

Old NC-105 is a popular trail and is most well-known for its outstanding views of the Linville Gorge. It offers unparalleled views of the gorge and of Table Rock Mountain. There are numerous overlooks and…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

Clinch Mountain Fire Tower

This trail goes up and over Clinch Mountain and descends into Moccasin Valley. There are many vistas along the way, both ascending and descending the mountain. The surrounding area is full of history and places…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Jennings Creek Road

Jennings Creek Road travels along the border of Cherokee National Forest between the Horse Creek Recreation Area and the Old Forge NF Campground. The campground has walk-in sites with a parking lot only 10 to…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Hurricane Gap

Hurrican Gap is a well-maintained gravel road that travels from the Houston Valley area to just outside of Hot Springs, NC. While it's not particularly challenging, there are some great side trips along the way.…
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Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Rich Mountain Lookout

This short route is a must-see if you're in the area. If you're traveling Hurricane Gap it's well worth the detour. There area few campsites on the way up the mountain. Cell service is available,…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Paint Mountain Road

Paint Mountain is a great way to connect Hurricane Gap to the east, with some of the other roads and trails west of this area. It's 1 to 1.5 cars wide and outside of a…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa

Weaver Bend

Weaver Bend Road runs from its intersection with Brush Creek to the French Broad River. It transitions from gravel to dirt. Along the road, there are several marked campsites including several riverside. At it's namesake…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Brush Creek 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…
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Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Meadow Creek Tower Road

This short two-mile trail is a great quick route to visit the tower. It's relatively tame outside of a few sections with larger rocks. When paired with Big Clifty, it makes for a nice 10-mile…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Big Clifty Road

Big Clifty is a mild introduction to the forest roads in the area. This seven-mile track climbs to the Meadow View Lookout Tower and is easily traversed by a 2WD vehicle. Cell service is available…
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Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Bent Creek Trail

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…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Creek Side Scenic Drive

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…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Brown Gap 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…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Wash Creek - FR 5000

This is an easy road that does not require a 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…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Gulf 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…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Buzzard Roost Road

While not as exciting in terrain as the closely named Old Buzzard Roost Road, this route has some amazing views and other interesting features. It's mostly gravel with a few sections that hold water or…
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Total Miles
10.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hall Top Road

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…
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Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Hall Top Spur

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…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Old Buzzard Roost 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…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su

Trail 23 - Flatwoods Road

Trail 23 is the main artery for the Dorton/Flatwoods Area of the new Pike County Hillbilly Trails System. Trail 23 is a wide, graded dirt and gravel access road for an array of utilities and…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pinnacle - SCAR Alternate

If you're looking for a scenic side trip on the South Carolina Adventure Route this trail might be for you. It runs along the outskirts of the Dupont State Forest and provides ridgetop views. The…
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Total Miles
19.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cataloochee Turnpike to Big Creek

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 big weather events…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 3

Segment three is the "upstate" section of the SCAR, and is bookended by the towns of Westminster and Gaffney. This section transits the Blue Ridge Mountains and consists of some fabulous gravel roads with a…
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Total Miles
202.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pinicale Mt Rd

This is an easy, mostly gravel and dirt trail. It has some small rocks and holes throughout, and good views in the winter when the trees are bare. It has wildlife land and public lands…
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Total Miles
9.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi