Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Marlinton, West Virginia

Highland Scenic Highway

The Highland Scenic Highway is a beautiful corridor through Monongahela National Forest. This designated National Scenic Byway extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton, WV. It has four developed scenic…
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Total Miles
27.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

Trans American Trail WV

Some of the West Virginia TAT. Started in Marlington WV and went to Williams River, Planned on going all the way to Sutton WV but due to flood damage part of this trail is expected…
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Total Miles
19.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mower East

This a seasonal route that runs from the outskirts of Cass, WV across the mountain to Cheat Bridge. The higher elevation is dominated by dense spruce forest, moss, and ferns. The route is a maintained…
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Total Miles
17.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Nettie to Richwood

If you like dirt roads this place is for you, miles upon miles of dirt/gravel roads. Took this route in about 3.5 hours almost 40 miles through some of the pretties country Nicholas Co WV…
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Total Miles
35.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Old Mine

Maintained gravel forest service route that travels from the Cheat Bridge area to US 250. This section was once a large strip. The route passes along the Cheat River and then up in elevation with…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Fenwick Mines

Near the town of New Castle, VA, are the remnants of many small mining towns. This route passes by the Fenwick Mines area, which has a small recreation day-use area and hiking trails. The route…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Osceola Spruce Knob

The route travels primarily through Monongahela NF on maintained FS gravel roads. A section of the route passes through private land and rolling farmland on gravel road. The accent from the Forest Service Road to…
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Total Miles
26.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Nile Road to Gauley River

Short but fun little trail leading from Nile Road in Persinger WV, to the Gauley River. During the downhill journey you will see some of the finest of colors during prime season that West Virginia…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Snake Island to Cavendish

The trail is easy and can be made by any stock 4x4 vehicle with adequate ground clearance. What makes this trail significant and worthy of a ride is it runs along the Meadow River which…
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Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Little North Mountain WMA

Little North Mountain WMA has a mix of seasonally open routes that all dead-end eventually. This route includes a scenic, lightly maintained state road to access the area. The roads are marginally maintained gravel with…
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Total Miles
18
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi

River Road

A county dirt track running primarily along the Shavers Fork River in Randolph and Tucker counties. The majority of the track lies in Monongahela NF. Careful attention should be paid to private property boundaries along…
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Total Miles
24.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

44/1 Bellwood Corporation Mine (Ford Knob Road)

This trail loops the road to Springdale bypass. That sounds like a good name for a road long forgotten. County road 44/1 is a road the locals use for recreation and your constant use will…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Meadow & Gauley Rivers Access Trail

This trail was developed from old railroad tracks, making it perfect for various activities. Plenty of primitive camping sites along the river. There are two old railroad tunnels and multiple railroad bridges that you can…
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Total Miles
17.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Reddish Knob

This 20-plus miles of George Washington National Forest back roads stretches from Braley Pond to Briery Branch Gap. With the exception of the northern 2.5 miles of the route which is paved, the rest is…
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Total Miles
18.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Parkers Gap

Parkers Gap trail is a gravel forest service road, running from Cave Mountain Lake to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The surface is gravel and pot hole strewn. Cell service is spotty throughout the area. Numerous…
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Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Leading Ridge

Leading ridge track is a seasonal two way track from North River to Todd Lake Recreation Area. The track is natural dirt surface with minimal gravel maintenance in areas. Several hiking trails cross the area.…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Middle Creek

This is a dead-end route leading to a junction of 4 other trails. This route has only 2 dispersed sites. This is a maintained gravel forest service road and is primarily used for horseback riding…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flagpole Knob

Flagpole Knob is located in the George Washington National Forest, along the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Open year round, access to Flagpole Knob can be from Switzer Lake Road, Union Springs or Briery…
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Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Parsons to Stone Lake Run

This beautiful twisting winding country gravel road leads from Parsons to Stone Lake Run and eventually down to Bear Haven Campgrounds in Otter Creek Recreational Area. Many gorgeous rock overhangs narrow shelf roadways entire route…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Panther Mountains

This is a gravel road along The Gauley River National Rec Area. It has access to Gauley river, and multiple hiking trails including the stairway to heaven, multiple water crossings and beautiful waterfalls. This is…
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Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Overstreet Creek

Overstreet Creek climbs from just over 1,300 feet in elevation to 3,250 ft, where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. This four-mile-long route is mostly gravel, but some of the steep sections include larger rocks.…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp

Big Mary

This is a gravel forest service road that follows Big Mary Creek. Several walk-in campsites are located just off the trail. There is good fishing and hiking along the trail, and decent cell service in…
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Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Tillman

Tillman is a gravel Forest Service Road connecting several other Forest Service Roads to a State Highway. The area includes several reservoirs with fishing and kayaking opportunities. There are several well-traveled hiking trailheads along the…
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Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Hone Quarry

Hone Quarry recreation area is a dead end trail passing by a reservoir. The trail starts paved from the state highway passing by day use picnic areas and a pay campground with amenities. The trail…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Enchanted Creek

A seasonal forest route that traces along the Blue Ridge Parkway at a lower elevation. The surface is natural dirt with rocks, mud, and stream crossings. A tunnel around the mid-point passes under the BRP.…
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Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi

Reservoir Rd. to Irish Creek

Located in the Amhurst county portion of the George Washington National Forest this is easy gravel trail has a lot to offer. Reservoir road runs parallel to the Pedlar river which offers great trout fishing…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Brandywine Recreation Area

Brandywine Recreation Area is a national forest fee area located just off Route 33 in West Virginia. The area has a reservoir with a sandy swimming area and is accessible for kayaking and fishing. All…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hog Camp

Hog Camp Road provides access to a variety of hiking and camping opportunities in the George Washington National Forest. The south end is well traveled and easily passable, however north of the Mount Pleasant Scenic…
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Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

St. Mary's

St. Mary's Road is a trail leading to the parking area for the St. Mary's Wilderness area. It is a short gravel forest road with little to no cell service and a large trailhead parking…
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Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cow Camp Road

This is a rocky fire road in the George Washington National Forest, connecting Highway 60 to Wiggins Hill Road. It is typically unmaintained after rain or snow and you may encounter shallow water crossings and…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi