We do not have all the official details, but from what we understand of the preliminary planning, this location gets you the closest to the official start/finish. It is a small lot with parking for about 10 cars. This trail starts in a field then climbs up and over a mountain, ending at the parking lot of the boat docks. You will need to cross the parking lot and go up the hill towards the picnic shelters to pick up the Happy Valley fire road which will take you to the next singletrack section.

The official start/finish is on private property so please follow these suggestions for early pre-rides.

This is the 2nd best option for proximity to the start/finish. A parking pass is required for entry, $10 per day, and will need to be purchased at the gate before entering. They do not accept credit cards or any modern form of payment, cash or check only. Standing facing the water with the guard shack at your back; look left at the end of the parking lot for a trailhead that will take you to Hollins. Then look right up the hill toward the picnic shelters for the Happy Valley fire road that will eventually get you on the singletrack known as the "lowers." 

There is no cell phone service in the parking lot so download routes and maps before you arrive. There are bathroom facilities here but surprisingly no potable water. Which is weird because this property is managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority. It is very important to note that swimming is not allowed at the Cove. Also something to note, the people who work here are not a good representation of our outdoor community.

This is the entrance that we recommend the most to locals and visitors alike. It is located 5 miles from our shop. A couple of singletrack trails leave from the parking lot or you have the option of riding the paved road one mile to the gate at the Happy Valley fire road. This is the only public lot for this part of the trail system and it can get busy with cars stacked into a third row in the middle of the lot. Please do not park at the red barn property or along the road. We want to be respectful of our neighbors.

This lot technically has the same $10 fee for day use but there are no Water Authority guards on duty. There is a metal post over by the kiosk where you can get an envelope and deposit your cash. There is no cell service from this lot but you will get service once you start to climb. That’s something to keep in mind from anywhere in the Cove or any of our USFS trail systems. Cell service is spotty in our ridge and valley area; you will always get a signal if you climb a trail. There is a vault toilet, a changing station, map kiosk and public bike repair stand in the parking lot but no potable water. Sadly there have been occasional thefts from cars so please don’t leave valuables in your car or in plain sight. Camping or overnight parking is prohibited. 

The Timberview lot is the smallest and probably least utilized of the three main entrances to the Cove. It is at the end of a dead end road with parking for about 8-10 cars. This lot also has the same $10 fee for day use but there are no Water Authority guards on duty. There is a metal post over by the kiosk where you can get an envelope and deposit your cash. There is a changing station, map kiosk and public bike repair stand in the parking lot but no potable water. This entrance is popular with riders who climb Trough and drop in for hot laps on Royalty and Gauntlet. It’s also a great starting point for the ride known as the “reach around” or to do a figure 8 of the trails that drop off both sides of the ridge. It is not recommended for beginners as there are not good options for “mid-mountain” miles, you have technical climbs and descents or an out and back on Horsepen. Like the Bennett Springs lot, please guard your valuables. It is important to obey the “No Trespassing” signs. There is a neighbor at the end of the road here who is a couple short of something and has been known to randomly yell at people.