Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Shawsville, Virginia
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… Learn more about Fenwick Mines
Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
3
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.… Learn more about Pond Lick Road
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa
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… Learn more about Middle Creek
Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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.… Learn more about Overstreet Creek
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp
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… Learn more about Parkers Gap
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… Learn more about Nettie to Richwood
Total Miles
35.1
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… Learn more about Snake Island to Cavendish
Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Highland Scenic Highway
Total Miles
27.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su
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.… Learn more about Enchanted Creek
Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Trans American Trail WV
Total Miles
19.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Hilltop To Bramwell VIA WMG
Part of the West Virginia Outlaw System. Hatfield McCoy is a great place to ride with a lot of trail to cover and explore. Always use caution when riding, and remember to pack out what… Learn more about Hilltop To Bramwell VIA WMG
Total Miles
13.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
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… Learn more about Reservoir Rd. to Irish Creek
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Meadow & Gauley Rivers Access Trail
Total Miles
17.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Cow Camp Road
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Hog Camp
Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Big Piney
Big Piney is a gravel road passing through a portion of the George Washington National Forest, offering access to hiking, camping and swimming. The trail is rocky and typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You… Learn more about Big Piney
Total Miles
8.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
FR51-AT
This short offshoot from Hog Camp Trail leads to the Mount Pleasant Scenic Area with opportunities for hiking and camping. Learn more about FR51-AT
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Little North Mountain WMA
Total Miles
18
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi
FR1176
FR 1176 leads from Big Piney up to a peak where cell towers can be found. The drive up includes several rocky sections, some steep sections and rock ledges. This trail also provides access to… Learn more about FR1176
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Nile Road to Gauley River
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Greasy Springs
Out and back trails are primarily used to access the Appalachian Trail crossing. Narrow 2 track muddy and narrow in places with numerous short side trails. Many nice camping spots throughout the length of the… Learn more about Greasy Springs
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Big Mary
Total Miles
2.8
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… Learn more about Panther Mountains
Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Crabtree Meadows
This route is one side of the old Shoe Creek Trail that is now gated in the middle at private property. The surface is gravel from the state road to the parking area for the… Learn more about Crabtree Meadows
Total Miles
4.7
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… Learn more about St. Mary's
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Coal Road
This is a 13-mile long forest service road with paved sections on either end. The gravel sections have potholes, but are easily traveled by any vehicle. There are many hiking and biking trailheads located along… Learn more about Coal Road
Total Miles
12.7
Tech Rating
1
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… Learn more about Mower East
Total Miles
17.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Old Mine
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Reddish Knob