more stats
2.1 miles
Distance
7 ft
Climb
-999 ft
Descent
00:12:30
Avg time
-991 ft
Altitude change
1,198 ft
Altitude min
2,196 ft
Altitude max
2,189 ft
Altitude start
1,198 ft
Altitude end
-9.1%
Grade
-60.2%
Grade max
2.5%
Grade min
289 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
72 ft
Distance flat
00:12:30
Avg time

The Gauntlet Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Carvin's Cove
    Roanoke, Virginia
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (9 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in E-Biking
    • 85 in Trail Running
    • 45 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #14930 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #2512 in E-Biking
    • #85256 in Trail Running
    • #146329 in Hiking
  • State Ranking
    #78 in Mountain Biking · Virginia [+]
    • #3 in E-Biking
    • #711 in Trail Running
    • #1,435 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Drop, Rock Garden
  • Land Owner
    Roanoke City

Near the top, The Gauntlet ebs and flows with some moderate corners traversing the mountain. Then the trail heads down the mountain, with the surface becoming rougher. Rocks and roots poke out for some healthy chunder. Fast straightaways and occasional rock kickers provide opportunities for a little air.

Tags
BermsDropsRock gardensRockyRooty

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 6 rides
  • 9 miles average
6 Months
  • 72 rides
  • 20 miles avg distance
All
  • 425 rides
  • Last: Oct 27, 2026
c1c2c3c4
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
update trails status or condition

The Gauntlet Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Oct 25, 2026 @ 10:54am (America/Kentucky/Monticello)
3 days
Oct 15, 2026 @ 6:16pm (America/New_York)
Oct 15, 2026
 Two large trees down across trail, blocking trail about 75% of the way down and 90% of the way down. Second could potentially be moved by a...
Jul 13, 2026 @ 12:03am (America/Los_Angeles)
Jul 13, 2026
Jul 12, 2026 @ 6:47am (America/Kentucky/Monticello)
Jul 12, 2026
 reporter
Jul 11, 2026 @ 11:00pm (America/New_York)
Jul 11, 2026
 reporter This trail is a part of the USA Cycling XCM National Championship and is closed to the public on Sunday, July 12
more »
Status:
on Oct 25, 2026
Very Dry
Avg: 4.54 (30 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (2,675)
close
      Directions to the-gauntlet trailhead (37.376830, -79.994960)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      14 more »
      mtb
      326 |
      Nov 24, 2020 @ 5:16am
      Nov 24, 2020
      mtb
      335 |
      Jun 2, 2019 @ 10:15am
      Jun 2, 2019
      mtb
      318 |
      Jun 2, 2019 @ 10:14am
      Jun 2, 2019
      mtb
      360 |
      Sep 3, 2017 @ 4:53pm
      Sep 3, 2017

      Videos

      7 more »
      Leaf Peeping In Virginia
      mtb
      10:05 | 205 | Mar 25, 2024 , Roanoke
      youtuber Carvins Cove VA
      mtb
      6:53 | 618 | Dec 10, 2021 , Roanoke
      Gaunlet in 4k - Carvins Cove, Roanoke, VA
      mtb
      4:53 | 563 | Jan 26, 2021 , Roanoke
      Carvins Cove MTB Trail Peek - Hi Dee Ho, The...
      mtb
      16:28 | 792 | May 26, 2020 , Roanoke

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Routes with this trail

      110
      RockStar TRAIL Route
      ★ 4.3 • 269 miles • 34,822 ft • 20 • Point to Point •
      RockStar VA is a 270 mile bikepacking route from Rocktown (Harrisonburg) to the Star City (Roanoke). There...
      39
      Carvin's Cove Over and Back Featured
      ★ 3.0 • 12 miles • 2,092 ft • 5 • Loop •
      This is an over-and-back at Carvins Cove starting from the Bennett Springs parking lot. Buck and Hi-Dee-Ho...
      56
      4 Gorge, Lakeside, The Gauntlet Route
      ★ 5.0 • 12 miles • 1,847 ft • 4 •
      4.7 ★★★★★
      30 Ratings
      5 ★ 80%
      4 ★ 10%
      3 ★ 7%
      2 ★ 3%
      1 ★

      18 Reviews & Comments

      kmagoo
      Not for beginners who do blue trails.!! Some steep sections with good sized drops, with loose gravel. Fine for intermediate riders who like fast bumpy rides.
      JTP96
      Listed as a blue, definitely a black. Fast and very long downhill trail that can get pretty rough. Can be done with less but Enduro levels of suspension will make it better, 160+. Park near Trough and ascend using that trail so you will be on the same side of the mountain when you come down Gauntlet.
      boynamedant
      Heads up for big leaf piles towards bottom on some blind corners…. Fun trail.

      We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

      Create a FREE account to view all trail reviews and much more.

      Create a Free Account

      Nearby Trails

      Carvin's Cove

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is The Gauntlet located?
      The Gauntlet is located in Carvin's Cove, Roanoke, Virginia, United States. It is part of the Carvin's Cove trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 37.37683, -79.99496.
      ▼ How hard is The Gauntlet?
      The Gauntlet is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 9.1%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for The Gauntlet?
      The Gauntlet has 7 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 999 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 1,198 ft to 2,196 ft.
      ▼ How long is The Gauntlet?
      The Gauntlet is 2.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on The Gauntlet?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on The Gauntlet. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ How do I access The Gauntlet? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to The Gauntlet are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride The Gauntlet?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 13 minutes to ride The Gauntlet. The trail is 2.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is The Gauntlet?
      The Gauntlet is a very popular trail. There have been 2,727 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 2,675 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

      Hit the Trail

      Open in App

      Get this trail on your phone instantly.
      open trail in app

      Download Trail

      Save to wishlist, Garmin & download.
      save the trail

      Find Related Routes

      Find routes and users activities that include this trail.
      find routes for this trail

      You must enter a description before submitting.