Carvins Cove in Roanoke, VA, boasts an impressive network of over 60 miles of trails, with 32 miles dedicated to singletrack. The ride documented here scratches the surface of what this area has to offer and provides a great introduction to a great regional destination.
When I was working on my book Mountain Biking Virginia my buddy Mark H. and I rode some of the tougher trails along this classic Blue Ridge destination. Back then, one of the Cove’s signature trails (Rock and Roll) was still under construction and yet to be unveiled, so we opted instead to ride some of the classic trails on the southeast side of Carvins Cove Road and crafted a pretty tough loop that climbed up Hi Dee Hoe before descending along the Gauntlet, back up The Trough and then down again along Brushy Mountain, Buck and Hotel. This ride is a little easier and will give you a solid taste of what the area has to offer.
2025 USA Cycling Endurance MTB Nationals
In late 2024 USA Cycling announced the 2025 National Championship Schedule and Carvins Cove is set to host the Endurance Mountain Bike Nationals. The event will bring cyclists from around the country to this Silver-Level IMBA Ride Center. The proposed route below offers a challenging alternative to the “easier” routes I presented here.
If you plan to attend the event, or even head to Carvins between now and July, our friends at Just The Right Gear have started to put together a 2025 USA Cycling Endurance MTB Nationals guide to help riders make the most of their visit to this amazing trail system. Swing by Just the Right Gear and tell them we said hello…
Above: negotiating a skinny along the Enchanted Forest. Below, riding over a carefully crafted stone bridge along Rock and Roll.
Carvins Cove: ROCK AND ROLL
Location: Roanoke, VA
Length: 12 miles. Up to 60 Miles, 32 miles of dedicated singletrack.
Ride Time: 1.5 - 3 hours hours, depending on skill level
Ride Type: MTB
Difficulty: Level 3 Riding: The Rock and Roll Loop detailed here explores several of the Cove’s trails along the west side of the reservoir, particularly those on the lower and mid elevations in order to minimize climbing. Carvins can be brutal if not tackled properly. This ride is perfect to introduce advanced beginners and intermediate riders to one of the several trails in Roanoke’s Blue Ridge. Roanoke boasts being an IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center, making it a top mountain biking destination in the east coast.
I documented the ride in my Ride Log here: Revisiting Carvins Cove
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