Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Mooresville, North Carolina

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 4

Segment four transits the "midlands" section of South Carolina, with the towns of Gaffney and Camden on each end. This section is mostly forested and contains a mixture of pavement, gravel, and clay roads. The…
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Total Miles
194.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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

SCAR Northeast Alternate

Covering the northeast portion of the state, this significant addition transits Sandhills State Forest and the Carolina National Wildlife Refuge, providing an alternate route between Liberty Hill WMA and Francis Marion National Forest. Campsites marked…
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Total Miles
228.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Liberty Hill - SCAR Alternate

This route lies between Great Falls and Camden and offers a more exhilarating alternative along the South Carolina Adventure Route. It consistently contains a number of short sections with mud and/or standing water, which can…
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Total Miles
14.9
Tech Rating
3 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

SCAR Connector-Loop

This connector loop bisects the primary SCAR loop, running through Batesburg-Leesville, past Lake Murray, and through Newberry. It is 88 miles long, and contains a mix of paved and unpaved roads. Off-pavement south of Batesburg-Leesville…
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Total Miles
84.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Enoree River Southside Trail System

This trail system winds through the Sumter National Forest on the Enoree Ranger District. The trails have river access to the Enoree Canoe Trail that floats on the Enoree River. The trails are smooth, well-maintained…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 5

Segment five is the longest section of the SCAR loop, and stretches between the towns of Camden and Edisto Beach. The north end of this segment briefly passes through what is known as the "Sandhills"…
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Total Miles
266.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp / 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

Pond Lick Road

This dirt track travels just north of Gatewood Reservoir. At just under 3 miles, it's a great quick run, or you can add to a route that includes some of the other local forest roads.…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 2

Segment two of the South Carolina Adventure Route wanders between the towns of Edgefield and Westminster, traversing one of the three sections of Sumter National Forest along the way. The trail through this region is…
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Total Miles
151.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp / Wi