Trace Ridge
trail_hike_comments: The upper portion above the Trace Ridge trailhead follows an old roadbed up the ridge all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rocky; steep. Very eroded in places. Dry pine-oak forests can be found along the nondescript ridge.
Downhill from the trailhead, this trail was formerly a steep, damaged mess due to erosion - in places, it was a waist deep, clay canyon. As of October 2015, however, the trail has been re-routed and now follows a much gentler grade on a sustainable path, adding a good bit more distance to the trail in addition to solving the erosion issues. Highly recommended!, trail_bike_comments: Uphill from the Trace Ridge trailhead parking lot, this trail follows an old roadbed to the parkway. It is a rocky trail: either a fast, bumpy downhill, or a steep, technical uphill. Highly recommended!
Downhill from the trailhead, this trail was formerly a steep, damaged mess due to erosion - in places, it was a waist deep, clay canyon. As of October 2015, however, the trail has been re-routed and is now a sustainable, fast, flowy trail on a gentle grade, adding a good bit more distance to the trail in addition to solving the erosion issues. There are a few roots and rocks left to spice it up a bit, although it'd be a stretch to call it technical. This stretch is also now highly recommended!