Review Date
March 16, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Jwiffle ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Vance's Cove is a great ride. Fairly technical, but not overly so. Starts with a fireroad climb before entering rocky singletrack. Logs, rock gardens, and stream crossings keep you on your toes. Although rocky enough to warrant full-suspension, I usually ride my rigid singlespeed.

If you want a map, you can find one at Element Sports in Winchester.

Directions to the trail head:
To get there: Head west on US 55 from I-81 (exit 296) for 13.3 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 93 (small sign with number 93; easy to miss!) Go 2.7 miles down dirt road and park at Y.

Recommended Route:
Start up the right fork of the Y. Turn Left after 0.4 miles, pass gate, over bridge. Continue up the fireroad (bear right up the hill shortly after passing the bridge). Almost 2 miles in, you will come to a large dirt and brush mound-the entrance to the singletrack is on the left just in front of this mound. 2.3 miles in-turn right at the trail intersection. Shortly there is a trail on the left side-take it. This will take you over to another trail, go left. After a little over 4 miles into your trip, you will roll over 2 dirt mounds, after which you will make a right turn. Singletrack will open up to forest road. Continue down forest road. In less than 1.5 miles, there will be a gate on the right side. Turn off the road, and pass the gate. Bear left. (If you don't want to get wet, I'd recommend skipping this gate and continue down the forest road to the car as you will cross the creek several times). Follow this mix of double and single track until it ends by the bridge that you crossed early on. Go left over the bridge, pass the gate, turn right at the road, and you're back! About 8.3 miles total. Next time, climb up the forest road and do the trail in reverse!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Elizabeth Furnace and all the other trails over in Fort Valley have lots of potential for intermediate to advanced riders.
If you want something beginner oriented--head up to the 3rd Battle of Winchester mtb trails. Maps available at Element Sports in Winchester.

Review Date
June 29, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Warpig ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Really great trail, not very technical, and have taken a few novice riders to this area to start out and see how they like it. Lots of fun, only suggestion, don't go alone. No cell phone reception, and last time rode by myself, came across a rattle snake (at least 2.5 miles from trail head to parking). Many trails to explore, haven't even been able to get on them all (only lived in area for about 6 months).

Recommended Route:
Off I-81, take 55 from the Strasburg exit north. Follow all the way to West Virginia border, turn around and take the first right. That's the best way to do it (I always miss the turn, even with G.P.S. marked).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Elizabeth Furnace

Review Date
July 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: The Grand Wazoo ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is an average diffuculty ride for the area. It hasn't been riden a whole lot in the past two years because of the amount of rain. I does get muddy but is in great shape now. It is 100% rideable in either direction. I have been riding this trail for about 10 years now and still have a blast everytime I ride it. There are at least 6 other trails that connect this ride, so can be as short or as long as your lungs will take you.

Recommended Route:
Start in Star Tannery

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Hawk, County Line Trail, Half Moon Overlook Trail, Trout Pond Trail, Mail Pouch, Racers Run, ect...

Review Date
March 21, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: hyper22 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
just got home from this trail and its very chalenging and fun, lots of lose rock its not to bad. In the beginning it was very chalenging b/c there was so much up but what comes up must come down. The downhill part was a blast and the trails had no fallen trees at all!

Recommended Route:
Start at the intersection of Route 11 South and Route 628 (Middle Road) in Winchester. Travel weston Route 628 for 12.7 miles. At the intersection of Route 628 and Route 55. turn west onto Route 55. Travel 9,6 miles on Route 55 and turn left onto Forest Road 93. The entrance to the road is vety poorly marked (shortly after the turn, there is a small number 93 on the left of the forest road. The turn for this road is right before a series of curves in Route 55 that continue up the mountain, If you reach the top of the mountain, you have gone too far. Travel 2.7 miles down the dirt forest road and park at the “Y” in the road. Total driving time is about 35 minutes. An alternative approach would be to take Interstate 81 to exit 296 and drive on Route 55 west for 13.5 miles to the Forest Road 93 turnoff and then follow the rest of the directions above.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
dont know very many

Review Date
June 10, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

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