As the title states, has anyone in the area done any travel/exploration along the Mid Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route? Apparently it's one of the substantially "easier" BDR's and is without any single track or very technical sections (and is reported to be SUV friendly for it's entirety).

More info: https://ridebdr.com/MABDR

I will find out for you. A friend of mine has done it a few times via motorcycle.

+1
yeah, I'd be interested in this, too

I know this thread is a bit dated but I am curious if anyone has more info on this specific route. I mainly want to know if the entire route can be done in a 4Runner without completely ****ing up my paint job (new 2020 so i am still treating it like a baby).

The MABDR is considered to be the mildest of all BDRs, but I think it's unrealistic to not expect some amount of Nature's Pinstripes from any non-paved road on the East Coast.

I guess it depends on what your definition of paint damage is. Are you alright with light surface scratches that can (probably) be removed with a buffer? If so you could be alright, but there's always that one (or 100) rogue branch that comes out of nowhere to put a solid mark down the length of your truck.

If exploring BDR's (or similar) is something you'd like to do, the paint scratches are a right of passage. My truck only had a few on it until we did the KAT last year, that trip (well, specifically one section) has left it's forever mark on every single panel on the truck; and while several rounds of compound/polish/etc helped it, anytime you are closer than 15ft you can immediately see them. Since then my truck proudly wears these scars, I've stopped trying to buff them out and become at peace with the fact that my truck gets used for what it can do, not to be a beauty queen (despite what the license plate says).

Another option is something like the GOAT Truck Armor, although, as we found out (a good friend of mine just got it for his 4Runner), it definitely doesn't cover everything, and in some cases (the hood for instance) has no added protection.

Thanks for the reply. I am fine with some minor-to-moderate pinstriping. It's inevitable so I'm not going to let the risk hold me back. I had been planning a 10-14 day trip up to Maine but their COVID restrictions are pretty high for out-of-state visitors so maybe I just run some sections of the MABDR instead. I do know, however, that I need to replace the factory tires. They might be okay but overall they do not inspire confidence.

I'll finally be doing part of the MABDR next weekend with a few other trucks, our plan is to do sections 1-3 (and possibly into section 4 if time allows). I'll report back after the fact

Looking forward to your thoughts, I’m in southeast pa and have thought about doing this route as well on dual sport or in the 4runner

So we completed 1, 2, and most of 3; part of our group had to get home so we jumped off and headed home with about 50ish miles left of section 3.

Out of Sections 1-3, 3 was probably the most fun for us (4 trucks), section 2 is shortest in mileage thus far, as well as in time. If anyone is wondering about difficulty thus far, none of us ever left 2WD, and other than 3 small (~12-18") water crossings on Section 3 and a few random bits here and there, I'd say the average crossover could easily tackle it. There weren't any tight areas to cause pinstriping, there were a number of puddles (most not deep at all), but again, those could have been avoided.

The night before we started (Friday evening), we stayed at the Grindstone Campground, about 30 minutes East of Damascus, VA (The start of section 1); after day 1 we camped at the Boley Field Group Campground (neat little stream crossing and a wonderful large group campsite, for not much more than 1 or 2 sites would run you otherwise); after day 2 we camped at Morris Hill campground (about 30 minutes off the route).

The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and while nothing was demanding or treacherous, the route is wonderful. It's a great mix of roads, very rarely involving major roadways of any kind or for any length of time.

Oh, another couple notes, Skull's Gap Overlook is actually further down the hill than the GPX file places it (It's where there's a loop shortly after the waypoint). And Section 3 has a bit of added mileage as it includes the track to (where I presume) the group of riders creating it stayed for the night, so make sure you turn instead of continuing to the hotel. Definitely leave a bit more time for Section 3 compared to 1 and 2; we started Section 3 around 8:30am, stopped for a few quick bathroom breaks and a short lunch (it started pouring as soon as we stopped) and bailed around 3:30pm and had just made it to Route 33 outside Brandywine.

We'll be heading back as soon as we can all get some time to meet up again and complete section 3 and move further North

EDIT: Couple of additions since I have the iPad next to me now

• If you've forgotten anything camping related, the outfitter shop across from the Citgo in Damascus (next to the coffee shop) has pretty much everything, very cool staff and one of the guys there that we talked to was very up to speed on the MABDR
• Correct coordinates for Skulls Gap Overlook are 36.70975,-81.62001
• In the area of the turn at 37.25650,-80.79980 look around for a super friendly gent and his pet pig Dismal. Worth a stop and chat if you happen to see him outside!
• Plan on spending ~30 minutes at the Mountain Lake lodge, watch Dirty Dancing (the original) before if you haven't, walk the grounds, stop in the gift shop, chat with the guy who drives a white 5th gen, and do the scavenger hunt
• If you don't need fuel or a place to sleep at the moment, make sure you make the right turn at 38.050553,-79.722621 instead of going straight and following the track (it comes back on itself and then head's North)
• In the area of 38.09513,-79.70912 is a nice dispersed camp site, looked to have a fire ring and table and could probably fit 1 or 2 trucks
• The first of 3 nearly back-to-back water crossings (across the same body of water) begins at 38.52894,-79.27074 (going North). Also the dam on the far side of the lake/pond it dumps into is very neat looking (it's a grassy hill)