- Created: April 4, 2022 6:44 pm
- Updated: April 4, 2022 6:54 pm
- Distance Instructions
- Travel mode
- walking
- bicycling
- driving
- straight-line
- Distance 28.00 miles
- Time 11 h 16 min
- Speed 2 mph
- Min altitude 0 ft
- Peak 59 ft
- Climb 397 ft
- Descent 397 ft
If your into fatbiking, this one is a must. In Corolla, park at the nature trail parking lot in the 90-degree turn near the end of the pavement. Ride out to the beach and turn north. 7 or 8 miles later, hop over the dunes to Carova and take the middle road north, avoiding the massive puddles on Ocean Pearl Road.
Several "blocks" later, jog over a block west to a now rideable Ocean Pearl Road (and a town park and bathrooms) and head north. The fire station on the right is the only game in town if you need a snack or drink or commemorative t-shirt. Head north on Ocean Pearl until you cross into Virginia (False Cape State Park) at the gate in the woods. There's a quick trail to the left that takes you to a monument from the 1700s that marks the NC/VA border and is worth the diversion. Keep heading north through the woods on the sandy road until you reach the Wash Woods Townsite (down a short trail to your left.) This is a neat spot that's worth a quick look. The original roof from the church steeple is there as well as a small cemetery with graves decorated with sea shells (bring sea shells.)
Back at the sandy road, cross over and pick up the "Cemetery Trail" and start for the beach. This is a cool, sandy singletrack that T's into the "Maritime Trail." Go right and follow that out to the beach. Note: At the T you can go left for 50 yards or so and there's an observation tower that affords views of the ocean and sound....good snack spot. Back on the beach, head south (right) and enjoy the probable tail-wind and isolation.
The NC/VA barricade becomes visible in the distance. At low tide, keep and eye out for a the wreck of the "Clythia" close to the border. Called "The Marble Wreck" because it's hold is apparently full of marble slabs, it's popular with shore divers. At the border, pass through the gate and pedal the 10 miles or so back to Corolla. Low tide isn't a necessity on this ride but probably makes it's more enjoyable. Also, there is a Visitor Center in False Cape State Park maybe 4 miles north of Wash Woods Cemetery. They have water and bathrooms and some interpretive stuff regarding nature and history. Up there the road is gravel and a pretty easy run.
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If your into fatbiking, this one is a must. In Corolla, park at the nature trail parking lot in the 90-degree turn near the end of the pavement. Ride out to the beach and turn north. 7 or 8 miles later, hop over the dunes to Carova and take the middle road north, avoiding the massive puddles on Ocean Pearl Road.
Several “blocks” later, jog over a block west to a now rideable Ocean Pearl Road (and a town park and bathrooms) and head north. The fire station on the right is the only game in town if you need a snack or drink or commemorative t-shirt. Head north on Ocean Pearl until you cross into Virginia (False Cape State Park) at the gate in the woods. There’s a quick trail to the left that takes you to a monument from the 1700s that marks the NC/VA border and is worth the diversion. Keep heading north through the woods on the sandy road until you reach the Wash Woods Townsite (down a short trail to your left.) This is a neat spot that’s worth a quick look. The original roof from the church steeple is there as well as a small cemetery with graves decorated with sea shells (bring sea shells.)
Back at the sandy road, cross over and pick up the “Cemetery Trail” and start for the beach. This is a cool, sandy singletrack that T’s into the “Maritime Trail.” Go right and follow that out to the beach. Note: At the T you can go left for 50 yards or so and there’s an observation tower that affords views of the ocean and sound….good snack spot. Back on the beach, head south (right) and enjoy the probable tail-wind and isolation.
The NC/VA barricade becomes visible in the distance. At low tide, keep and eye out for a the wreck of the “Clythia” close to the border. Called “The Marble Wreck” because it’s hold is apparently full of marble slabs, it’s popular with shore divers. At the border, pass through the gate and pedal the 10 miles or so back to Corolla. Low tide isn’t a necessity on this ride but probably makes it’s more enjoyable. Also, there is a Visitor Center in False Cape State Park maybe 4 miles north of Wash Woods Cemetery. They have water and bathrooms and some interpretive stuff regarding nature and history. Up there the road is gravel and a pretty easy run.