42.9 miles

Distance

5,164 ft

Climb

-5,163 ft

Descent

2,196 ft

High Point

Legend has it, that long before the water of Carvins Cove flooded the farmland once known as Happy Valley, a strange and shadowy gilled creature roamed the bogs and waterways…

Now, for reasons unknown, sightings of an unusual reptilian figure have been widely reported. This fall, a brigade of endurance mountain bike racers will be sent in to investigate, exploring 40+ miles of dark backwoods while simultaneously competing for the ultimate prize: the XXC-VA state championship

Virginia’s Blue Ridge’s Creature From Carvins Cove invites mountain bike racers from across the state and beyond to witness the wonders of Carvins Cove’s gnarliest singletrack! Shorter option? Yes we have a 15-mile XC route.

Our title sponsor, Virginia's Blue Ridge, has compiled a resource for bike friendly lodging: https://www.visitroanokeva.com/biking/bike-friendly-lodging.

There is also free camping at GO Fest grounds, River's Edge North on the river in the shadow of Carilion Clinic.

Detailed Description

Creature From Carvins Cove XXC (XC Marathon) 2021 is a 43 mile moderately popular intermediate race route located near Roanoke Virginia. This mountain bike primary route. This route includes 17 trails. This route climbs 5,164 ft with a max elevation of 2,196 ft then descends -5,163 ft.

Local Trail Association

Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists (blueridgeoffroadcyclists.org)

Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.

donate to earn trail karma!

Past Events

- 17 Oct 2021
Creature From Carvins Cove XC & XXC (XC Marathon)
Race

47 Reviews & Comments

Score Time Route Post Comment

We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

Create a FREE account to view route comments and much more.

Create a Free Account

Trails in Route

	Happy Valley Fire Road				3 miles
	Little Bell				1,145 ft
	Enchanted Forest				1,722 ft
	Tuck-A-Way				1 mile
	Araminta				3,419 ft
	Horse Pen				1 mile
	The Trough				5,240 ft
	Buck				1 mile
	Hotel				5,066 ft
	The Gauntlet				2 miles
	Lakeside Trail				4 miles
	Lower Comet				3,373 ft
	4 Gorge				2 miles
	Bennett Springs Loop - South				1,417 ft
	Rattlin' Run				2 miles
	Arrowhead				1 mile
	Rock-N-Roll				2 miles

Route POI

	Just The Right Gear Aid Station	Aid Station
	Roanoke Riveters Aid Station	Aid Station
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other
	Photographer	Other

Details

Featured
Race Course
Riding area

Carvin's Cove
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Other Activities
- E-Bike
Difficulty rating

Blue
eBike Allowed

Yes
Ridelogs

4

More Stats for Creature From Carvins Cove XXC (XC Marathon) 2021 mountain bike route

Avg time

8 hr 40 min
Altitude min

1,177 ft
Altitude start

1,187 ft
Altitude end

1,188 ft
Grade max

-59.5%
Grade min

53.7%
Distance climb

20 miles
Distance down

20 miles
Distance flat

4 miles

Directions

Bike northeast on Happy Valley Fire Road.
Continue for 6 kilometers.
Make a sharp left onto Schoolhouse.
Continue for 3 kilometers.
Turn right onto Carvin's Cove Road.
Continue for 10 meters.
Turn left onto Enchanted Forest.
Continue for 600 meters.
Bear left onto Carvin's Cove Road.
Continue for 200 meters.
Bear left onto Tuck-A-Way.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Turn left onto Kerncliff Trail.
Continue for 3 kilometers.
Turn right onto Araminta.
Continue for 1 kilometer.
Turn left onto Hemlock Tunnel.
Continue for 600 meters.
Bike northeast on Lakeside Trail.
Continue for 6 kilometers.
Bear right onto Horse Pen.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Turn right onto The Trough.
Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
Turn left onto Brushy Mountain Fire Road.
Continue for 600 meters.
Turn right onto Buck.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Bear right onto Hotel.
Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
Turn right onto Hi-Dee-Ho.
Continue for 400 meters.
Turn right to stay on Hi-Dee-Ho.
Continue for 200 meters.
Turn left to stay on Hi-Dee-Ho.
Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
Turn left onto Brushy Mountain Fire Road.
Continue for 30 meters.
Bear right onto The Gauntlet.
Continue for 1 kilometer.
Turn left to stay on The Gauntlet.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Make a sharp left onto Lakeside Trail.
Continue for 6 kilometers.
Bike northeast on Hemlock Tunnel.
Continue for 700 meters.
Bike northwest on Hemlock Tunnel.
Continue for 1 kilometer.
Turn left onto Kerncliff Trail.
Continue for 500 meters.
Turn right onto Upper Comet.
Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
Keep left to stay on Upper Comet.
Continue for 40 meters.
Bear left onto Lower Comet.
Continue for 1 kilometer.
Bike south on Carvins Cove Road.
Continue for 100 meters.
Bike south on Brushy Mountain Fire Road.
Continue for 700 meters.
Turn right onto 4 Gorge Extension.
Continue for 4 kilometers.
Turn left onto Carvin's Cove Road.
Continue for 30 meters.
Turn right onto Bennett Springs Loop - South.
Continue for 500 meters.
Keep left to take Rattlin' Run.
Continue for 3 kilometers.
Turn left onto Songbird.
Continue for 2 kilometers.
Turn left onto Carvin's Cove Road.
Continue for 300 meters.
Turn left onto Arrowhead.
Continue for 2.5 kilometers.
Bike east on Happy Valley Fire Road.
Continue for less than 10 meters.
Turn left onto Rock-N-Roll.
Continue for 3 kilometers.
Bear right onto Happy Valley Fire Road.
Continue for less than 10 meters.
Keep left to stay on Happy Valley Fire Road.
Continue for 6 kilometers.

trail	date	description
The Gauntlet	Dec 2, 2023 @ 2:11am Dec 2, 2023	Tree down.
The Trough	Dec 2, 2023 @ 2:11am Dec 2, 2023	Big pine tree down early in the climb.
Happy Valley Fire Road	Nov 14, 2023 @ 8:03am Nov 14, 2023
4 Gorge	Nov 13, 2023 @ 6:04am Nov 13, 2023
Little Bell	Nov 13, 2023 @ 6:04am Nov 13, 2023