Trans-America Trail — Clifton Forge to Wytheville via the Virginia Highlands Connector

Between Clifton Forge and Wytheville, the Trans-America Trail cuts through one of Virginia’s least-travelled inland corridors — George Washington and Jefferson National Forest double-track, county dirt roads through small cattle farms, and ridge-top fire roads with long views west into West Virginia. This is the segment where the TAT starts feeling like actual backcountry after the more navigated eastern approach. You ride or drive along the spine of the Allegheny and Appalachian divide, dropping into hollows with creek crossings and climbing back out on rutted clay two-track. Towns like Covington and Narrows are your resupply anchors; between them you can run 50 miles without seeing a paved surface.

Rated Moderate — the terrain isn’t extreme but clay roads in wet conditions become genuinely slick, and some creek crossings swell after rain. A high-clearance 4WD or dual-sport handles this comfortably in dry conditions; a locker helps on the steeper clay climbs when it’s wet. Best ridden or driven May through October — avoid after heavy spring rain if you’re in a heavy rig. Dispersed camping is available throughout the national forest sections. Fuel up in Clifton Forge and Covington; don’t rely on finding it in between. Cell service is intermittent to none on the ridge sections. Sam Correro’s TAT maps remain the gold standard for routing.