Updated October 2026
E-Bikes on George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Trails
Mountain bike
1,006mi
designated on 292 segments
45% of mapped trail
E-bike
171miClass 1
designated on 39 segments
8% of mapped trail
Mountain bike
1,006mi
designated on 292 segments
45% of mapped trail
- Season on record
- Year-round
E-bike
171miClass 1
designated on 39 segments
- Class 1171 mi
- Class 2171 mi
- Class 3171 mi
Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.
- Class 2 segments
- 39
- Class 3 segments
- 39
Both lanes share one scale: the 2,254 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.
In George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 39 trail segments (171 mi), Class 2 on 39, and Class 3 on 39. Conventional (non-motorized) mountain bikes are designated on 292 segments. On Forest Service land an e-bike is a motor vehicle, so it is allowed only where designated.
E-bike access by class
Where a trail is open to conventional bikes, check the e-bike columns separately — a non-motorized mountain bike being allowed does not by itself mean an e-bike is.
| E-bike class | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 39 | 171 mi |
| Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 39 | 171 mi |
| Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 39 | 171 mi |
Trail-by-trail (largest bike trails)
Conventional-bike and Class 1 e-bike status with season windows, per USFS designation.
| Trail | Miles | Bike | Class 1 e-bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Highlands | 80.39 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed |
| MassanuttenYear-round | 70.44 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Shenandoah MountainYear-round | 36.1 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Iron MountainYear-round | 34.38 | Allowed | Allowed |
| Wild OakYear-round | 27.17 | Allowed | Restricted |
| North MountainYear-round | 17.66 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Virginia CreeperYear-round | 16.83 | Allowed | Restricted |
| North MountainYear-round | 15.21 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Fore MountainYear-round | 14.63 | Allowed | Restricted |
| North MountainYear-round | 13.46 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Walker MountainYear-round | 11.41 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Whetstone RidgeYear-round | 11.24 | Allowed | Restricted |
| CrawfishYear-round | 10.77 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Rocky Run | 10.76 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed |
| Price - Broad MountainYear-round | 10.63 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Dry RunYear-round | 10.4 | Allowed | Restricted |
| South PedlarYear-round | 10.37 | Allowed | Allowed |
| Allegheny TrailYear-round | 9.4 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Long MountainYear-round | 8.6 | Allowed | Restricted |
| North MountainYear-round | 8.57 | Allowed | Not designated |
| Tuscarora - County LineYear-round | 8.51 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Mill MountainYear-round | 8.44 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Beards MountainYear-round | 7.97 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Shenandoah MountainYear-round | 7.73 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Timber RidgeYear-round | 7.56 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Little Mare MountainYear-round | 7.14 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Torry RidgeYear-round | 7.06 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Bogan RunYear-round | 6.79 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Piney MountainYear-round | 6.64 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Laurel ForkYear-round | 6.54 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Dynamite | 6.47 | Accepted but discouraged | Allowed |
| Hawk CampgroundYear-round | 6.15 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Mill MountainYear-round | 6.11 | Allowed | Restricted |
| South ForkYear-round | 6.07 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Wolf RidgeYear-round | 5.95 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Hone Quarry MountainYear-round | 5.83 | Allowed | Restricted |
| White Rock TowerYear-round | 5.72 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Sherman GapYear-round | 5.71 | Allowed | Restricted |
| McgrawYear-round | 5.66 | Allowed | Restricted |
| Laurel Run SpurYear-round | 5.66 | Allowed | Restricted |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest?
- On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed. In George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Class 1 access is recorded on 39 trail segments; Class 2 and 3 on 39 and 39 respectively.
- Does an e-bike count as a mountain bike on George Washington and Jefferson National Forest trails?
- No. Under USFS policy an e-bike of any class is a motor vehicle, even Class 1 pedal-assist. A trail being open to conventional bikes does not by itself permit e-bikes — the trail must carry an e-bike or motorized designation.
- When are bikes open in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest?
- Most bike-designated trails in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest carry a Year-round season window in the USFS data; higher-elevation trails open later as snow clears. Always confirm current conditions with the ranger district.
See also: George Washington and Jefferson National Forest trail data profile · E-bikes across Virginia
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