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Carvin's Cove Lower Trails (Carvin's Cove Trail System Four Gorge Comet Enchanted Forest Four Gorge Extension)
Mountain Biking Trail
Moderate
14.06 mi
1,341 ft
A superb selection of Carvin Cove's flowiest trails.
The Carvin's Cove trail system is the undisputed mountain biking hotspot in the Roanoke region. The entire trail network is situated on land owned by the city of Roanoke. At 12,000 acres in size, "it is the second largest municipal park in the United States (behind South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona)," according to an article on
Carvin's Cove offers 40 miles of singletrack and has "another 40 in the works," according to The trails are split into roughly two halves: the high trails that run up and down the mountain, and the lower trails near the base.
Mapped here is a big figure-8-style ride on the lower trails... but of course, even the route mapped here could be shortened.
The lower trails are much less technical than the steeper trails up high, making for a great stepping stone for beginner and early intermediate riders. Trails like Four Gorge were constructed with IMBA-approved trail building techniques, providing rolling climbs and descents, and well-benched singletrack.
The Enchanted Forest is a rare gem of a trail. "This flat singletrack runs through a stand of old growth pine trees," according to "Evergreens aren’t very common in this region, so riding through the deep trees on the quiet of the pine straw is a rare treat for the locals."
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
The Carvin's Cove trail system is the undisputed mountain biking hotspot in the Roanoke region. The entire trail network is situated on land owned by the city of Roanoke. At 12,000 acres in size, "it is the second largest municipal park in the United States (behind South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona)," according to an article on
Carvin's Cove offers 40 miles of singletrack and has "another 40 in the works," according to The trails are split into roughly two halves: the high trails that run up and down the mountain, and the lower trails near the base.
Mapped here is a big figure-8-style ride on the lower trails... but of course, even the route mapped here could be shortened.
The lower trails are much less technical than the steeper trails up high, making for a great stepping stone for beginner and early intermediate riders. Trails like Four Gorge were constructed with IMBA-approved trail building techniques, providing rolling climbs and descents, and well-benched singletrack.
The Enchanted Forest is a rare gem of a trail. "This flat singletrack runs through a stand of old growth pine trees," according to "Evergreens aren’t very common in this region, so riding through the deep trees on the quiet of the pine straw is a rare treat for the locals."
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi Dee Ho Climb | 0.38 mi | 328 ft | 15.9% |
| Hotel to Midway | 0.32 mi | 154 ft | 8.9% |
| Four Gorge + Extension | 3.13 mi | 128 ft | 0.6% |
| Four Gorge | 2.06 mi | 121 ft | 0.8% |
| four Gorge middle climb | 0.27 mi | 102 ft | 6.9% |
| Four Gorges final climb | 0.53 mi | 56 ft | 0.9% |
| Four Gorges Extension | 0.92 mi | -105 ft | -0.3% |
| Four Gorge Ext. w/o Kerncliff | 0.76 mi | 105 ft | 0.5% |
| Tuck-A-Way to bottom turn | 0.74 mi | -210 ft | -5.3% |
| Tuck-a-way down | 0.83 mi | -240 ft | -5.5% |
| New Tuck-a-way trail | 0.63 mi | -154 ft | -4.6% |
| Songbird | 1.83 mi | -171 ft | -0.1% |
| Song Bird First Climb | 0.70 mi | 154 ft | 3.8% |
| Down Songbird from Rattling | 1.32 mi | -151 ft | -1.8% |
| Enchanted Forest (Long side) | 0.39 mi | -20 ft | -0.7% |
| Little Bell | 0.28 mi | 46 ft | 3.0% |
| Little bell to schoolhouse | 1.71 mi | 92 ft | 0.5% |
| Schoolhouse to the Picnic Bench | 0.75 mi | -52 ft | -1.1% |
| Schoolhouse | 1.66 mi | 102 ft | 0.3% |
| Enchanted Forest (Short side) | 0.41 mi | -30 ft | -1.2% |
| Enchanted to Comet | 0.52 mi | 39 ft | 0.6% |
| Lower Comet | 0.77 mi | 36 ft | 0.6% |
| Trailhead to Bennett Spings Parking lot | 0.99 mi | 75 ft | 0.9% |