Grayson Gravel

08/26/2026

The Grayson Gravel Traverse was created to bridge the gap between two existing rail trails on either end of Grayson County, Virginia. The trails on their own are fantastic rides, but take cyclists away from the beauty of Grayson County. Route designer David Landis crafted a gravel-focused traverse of the county, riding through forests, up and down hillside farms, and along the New River, connecting the Virginia Creeper Trail with the New River Trail and bringing the county together to support gravel cycling.

A few years ago, Mountain Road Ride rode the Grayson Gravel Traverse with a group of friends and created a youtube video about the experience. This map animation, created for the video, showcases the route David Landis created to connect the two distant corners of Grayson County. Catch the full video linked in our bio and stories. More info about the routes is pinned on our profile

07/03/2026

Before the heat wave hit its peak, four friends snuck down to Grayson County for a two-day ride of the Grayson Gravel Circuit. They chose to start the loop in Fries, rather than White Top, but still rode the route counterclockwise, as we recommend. Here’s what Alden Roth - Filmmaker had to say about the experience.

“The first day brought the humidity and soaked my sunshirt several times over. We cooled off in a swimming hole, turned kind strangers into friends at the Fox Creek Horse Camp, and rationed calories from our first resupply, only 20 miles into the route. The gas station at Konnarock is closed on Mondays, the Fox Creek General Store is closed and being renovated into a restaurant (Upstream Provisions), and we didn’t think the Railroad Market at white top would be open when we were scheduled to arrive. To our surprise, it was open when we got there just before sunset. With 3 minutes left till close, we grabbed drinks, snacks, and two frozen pizzas for dinner at our cabin rental. After 81 miles and 9,600’ of climbing, we ate pizza, rice, and Vienna sausages for dinner while watching the World Cup. 

We slept in on the second day and enjoyed several cups of coffee before heading out into the heat. It was equally humid, but a few degrees hotter, making the first 30 miles tough! We grabbed lunch at the Grayson Highlands Store & Inn and chatted with the owner for a bit. She has tubes and other repair supplies for us cyclists! We enjoyed another swimming break in the New River in the early afternoon, and stumbled upon a lifesaving vending machine shortly after. We hid from the heat again in Independence, but this time in the beer cooler at a gas station. The final 20 miles back to our cars were glorious! Beautiful views of farms clinging to hillsides, creeks flowing by with massive boulders, and a sweeping descent into Fries to cap it all off! 65 miles and 6,500’ of climbing done and dusted.

Photos by Kayla Hall

06/19/2026

The climbs are worth it when you get a rippin’ descent like this! 

Nothing quite like Cynthia Carson’s POV! Come experience these gravel roads for yourself this summer.

06/12/2026

Exciting to see progress being made!

06/12/2026

“An undercurrent I sensed during the journey was the locals’ pride and contentment in their serene setting. They cherish the idyllic scenery, tranquil roads, and their modest community embedded amidst rolling hills adorned with quaint farms and homesteads. 

Grayson County is an adventurer cyclist’s paradise. Park your car at the county’s edge, embark on the Creeper Trail, and immerse yourself in some of the East Coast’s most stunning rural vistas. The beauty of this is twofold: You stimulate the local economy by patronizing small businesses while leaving a minimal footprint.”

Photographer Benjamin Carpenter penned these words for Rodeo Adventure Labs shortly after his first time riding one of our routes here in Grayson County, VA. Find the full article linked below.

06/04/2026

Did you know there is dedicated parking for cyclists in Whitetop, Virginia? 

That’s right! We have official signage up that specifically marks parking for riders heading out on one of our Grayson Gravel cycling routes. We know that long-term parking is always a concern when heading out for a multi-day trip, and we’re very thankful for everyone who made this possible!

The Virginia Creeper Trail is still closed for construction from Damascus to Whitetop, and the Whitetop trailhead parking lot is closed and being used by construction crews. We can’t wait for the Virginia Creeper Trail to open back up! In the meantime, cyclists planning to ride a Grayson Gravel route can park at the dedicated overnight spots at the Whitetop Community Center. 

Who’s heading out for a ride from Whitetop this summer? It’s the perfect time to explore the Grayson Highlands.

06/03/2026

Happy World Bike Day!

05/26/2026

If you’re riding Grayson Gravel this summer, be sure to visit the . It’s a wonderful place to rest your head and have your belly fed. This place is truly “Convenience in Paradise.”

If you’re looking for food, they have sandwiches, burgers, baked goods, and more! Plus a full selection of groceries, camping supplies, etc – everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Need a place to sleep? The Inn has two rooms and a suite available, as well as camping onsite for just $25. Please register ahead of time online, or in-person during store hours only. 

This clip by is pulled from his full video about the Grayson Gravel Traverse when he rode it a few years ago. Watch the full video on youtube to get a better look at what Grayson Gravel has to offer!

04/20/2026