Gravel & Mountain Routes

Gravel Map

Shows all state (VDOT) gravel roads in red and all nearby federal gravel roads in orange. There is also a full-screen version of this map available.

Newport Groad w/ Potts Rail Trail - Starts & end in Newport. Three big climbs and descents. The climb up to the Appalachian Trail from Clover Hollow, the descent into Captain, and the descent into Waiteville are all steep and rough/rocky gravel. Mountain bike preferred but a gravel bike with bigger tires works too. Potts Valley Rail Trail (miles 21-26) has some single-track and grassy double-track that tends to be swampy after heavy rain. The rail trail can be easily skipped by riding Waiteville Road.
Eggleston Gravel - mixture of pavement and smooth gravel around Eggleston starting and ending in Blacksburg. No big climbs on this one, but lots of ups and downs.
- Eggleston Gravel + 708 Loop - this adds a loop with 708 (gravel) and Spruce Run (pavement).
Butt Mountain / Salt Pond Mountain Gravel Loop - almost completely gravel; starts/ends at Mountain Lake. Elevation stays between 3,000 ft and 4,200 ft, so a good choice during the hot summer. The Butt Mountain Loop (miles 5-11.4) is steep and rough gravel and can have some large mud pits after heavy rains. This can be easily skipped for a shorter loop that is more appropriate for gravel bikes.