Brown Mountain Trail 4
Brown Mountain OHV Area – Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Overview
Brown Mountain Trail 4 is an advanced mountain OHV trail that emphasizes sustained technical driving rather than a single defining obstacle. It combines rocky climbs, uneven surfaces, and rutted sections that require consistent attention and thoughtful line selection from start to finish.
The trail’s character is classic Brown Mountain: embedded rocks, shallow ledges, and narrow forest lines that reward patience and controlled throttle. While it may not be as notorious as the area’s extreme routes, Trail 4 should not be underestimated—small mistakes can quickly add up.
Trail 4 is often run as part of a longer day linking multiple Brown Mountain trails and serves as a strong benchmark for drivers assessing their readiness for the system’s more difficult options.
Who This Trail Is / Isn’t For
This Trail Is For:
- Drivers with solid off-road experience
- Slightly to moderately modified 4×4 vehicles
- Drivers comfortable with rocky, uneven terrain
- Groups running multiple advanced Brown Mountain trails
- Off-roaders who enjoy sustained technical driving
This Trail Isn’t For:
- Beginner or first-time off-road drivers
- Two-wheel-drive vehicles
- Low-clearance or street-focused vehicles
- Drivers expecting wide or forgiving trail lines
- Unprepared vehicles in wet conditions
Driving Difficulty
Rating: Advanced (6/10) — rocky climbs, ruts, and uneven terrain that demand good clearance, traction, and controlled inputs; rain significantly increases difficulty.
Vehicle Requirements
Brown Mountain Trail 4 is best suited to a trail-capable 4×4 with solid ground clearance and dependable traction. Stock 4×4 vehicles may complete it in ideal conditions, but mild modifications are strongly recommended.
Commonly recommended equipment includes:
- 4×4 drivetrain with low range
- All-terrain or mud-terrain tires
- Skid plates and basic underbody protection
- Recovery points and recovery gear
- Optional: rear locker for improved traction
Careful tire placement and patience matter more than speed. Aggressive throttle use often leads to unnecessary scraping or trail damage.
Seasonality & Access
Brown Mountain OHV Area operates on a seasonal Forest Service schedule. Trail 4 is highly weather dependent, with rain reducing traction and deepening ruts across multiple sections.
Wet conditions can turn this trail into a slow, recovery-heavy run, particularly for open-differential vehicles.
Before running Trail 4, it’s smart to:
- Confirm current OHV area open dates
- Check recent trail condition reports
- Travel with at least one other capable vehicle
Warnings & Hazards
Trail 4 carries a steady risk of undercarriage contact and traction loss. Body damage is possible in tighter or more rutted sections if lines are rushed.
Potential hazards include:
- Embedded rocks and shallow ledges
- Deep ruts and uneven trail surfaces
- Slick soil and rock after rain
- Tight forest corridors with limited bypasses
Drive deliberately, use spotters when appropriate, and avoid spinning tires to reduce risk and preserve the trail.
Interesting for Off-Roaders
Brown Mountain Trail 4 is valued for its consistency and technical flow. It’s a trail that rewards focus and good fundamentals rather than brute force.
For many off-roaders, it’s a reliable test of readiness before stepping up to the more demanding routes in the Brown Mountain system.
This trail appeals most to off-roaders who enjoy:
- Sustained rocky mountain terrain
- Rutted climbs and uneven surfaces
- Skill-based, deliberate driving
Brown Mountain Trail 4 reflects NC Offroad’s mountain ethos: preparation, patience, and respect for terrain always pay off.