George Washington National Forest Biking Overview

With over 200 miles of open backcountry hiking trails in the forest, and even more miles of paved, gravel and dirt roads, bicyclists have ample room to explore. There are thousands of miles or roads and trails in the George Washington National Forest that are available for mountain bike use. Visitors may use any one of them year-round. There are no permits, fees, or registration required for individuals and small groups.

Sounds good to us! But which one to pick? You might want to check out a local bike shop. There is likely an avid mountain biker in the shop who is familiar with the best riding opportunities in the area. Some known highlights include Massanutten Mountain and Elizabeth Furnace area trails and the Edinburg Gap Trail in the Lee Ranger District, as well as the second Mountain ATV Trail and Reddish Knob and Flagpole Knob trails in the Dry River Ranger District. Or you can consider the Sherando Lake area and the Big Levels area trails, the Henry Lanum Trail, the South Pedlar ATV trail, the Blue Ridge Dirt ride, the Torry Ridge Loop , and the Mills Creek and Kennedy Ridge Loop in the Pedlar Ranger District. And don't overlook the Great North Mountain Trail to Elliot Knob in the Deerfield Ranger District.

The South Pedlar ATV Trail System, located on the Pedlar Ranger District, is a looping network of approximately 25 miles of trails designed for the recreational, all-terrain-vehicle rider. Riders will find challenges in the narrow and twisting trails, while others will find trails that are wide and inviting. Visitors to the area have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic vistas, groves of large trees, spectacular mountain laurel blooms in season, and relief from the hot summer sun under the shady forest canopy.

Traveling east from Lynchburg, follow State Route 130 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just after crossing under the Blue Ridge Parkway, ahead to the right is Forest Development Road (FDR) #319. Turn right onto FDR 319 to the Terrapin Trailhead Parking Lot. The Rattlesnake Trailhead Parking Lot is another 3/4 mile ahead on State Route 130 to the right on FDR 564. Traveling west from Buena Vista, follow U.S. Highway 501 south. Continue south on U.S. 501 to the intersection with State Route 130 at the Snowden power plant on the James River. Approximately one mile ahead on the left is FDR #564. Turn left onto FDR 564 to the Rattlesnake Trailhead Parking lot.

You may ride your bike on any forest road or trail unless it is specifically closed to mountain bike use. The closed routes are few and well-signed. Expect to carry and walk your bike for considerable distances on almost all of the trails on the national forests. No trails are maintained for continuous mountain bike riding. Trails are narrow and sometimes steep and are always pretty rough due to rock. You may ride behind gates and tanktraps (mounds of earth used to block roads.) These roads may have signs that say "Road Closed." The closure applies to motorized vehicles, not to horses, hikers, and pedal-powered bikes.

You may camp any place except where posted as camping prohibited. There are very few prohibited places and they are well-signed. There are restrictions on open campfires during certain times of the year. Check with a local district office for dates and times.

Find out about hunting seasons! Above all, avoid riding during the firearms deer seasons, usually from the third Saturday in November through the first Sunday in December. You can ride fairly safely during other seasons if you practice some common sense. Wear blaze orange, whistle, talk, and make human noises. If you see a hunter, give him a sharp whistle to alert him a human is approaching.

Mountain bikes and other similar mechanical devices are not allowed in designated wildernesses such as Saint Mary's and Ramseys Draft in Augusta County. Some other off-limits areas include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Rocky Row Trail (Pedlar), Saddle Gap Trail (Pedlar) the Bear Oak Environmental Education Center area to the south of Waynesboro, and lakeside trails within the Sherando Lake Recreation Area.