The Grayson Gravel Traverse is a 72-mile mixed-surface gravel bike route that connects the Virginia Creeper Trail and New River Trail over well-maintained and remote roads featuring a variety of challenging climbs. The route follows optimal west-east gravel corridors just south of the Grayson Highlands area, in the foothills of Virginia’s highest peaks, criss-crossing the creeks that carry water from the high mountains down to the New River. This overlooked gem of Virginia presents some of the best gravel cycling in the state, mostly unridden and undiscovered.  

Longer options exist to tour or bikepack the 72-mile Traverse as either a 143-mile circuit returning back to Whitetop Station via a northern route in the Jefferson National Forest, or a point-to-point 150-mile “Long Haul” from the western terminus of the VA Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA to the eastern end of the New River Trail in Pulaski, VA. Endless options to explore Grayson Gravel beyond these routes exist, with Independence as a great basecamp location for day trips. In addition to the Grayson Gravel Circuit, another option is to use the TransVirginia Bike Route for a northern return loop from the New River Trail at the Byllesby Dam back to Whitetop Station farther north.