Massanutten Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Andrew Ling on Unsplash

Massanutten Trail

5 days · 85 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance85 mi
Days out5
Elevation gain15,476 ft
Gain / mile182 ft
High point2,795 ft

What the Massanutten Trail is known for

The Massanutten Trail is a 71-mile loop on the rocky ridges of Massanutten Mountain in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, ringing Fort Valley. The ridgelines are largely dry, so plan water stops carefully. Typically 4-6 days.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Massanutten Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,444 ft to 9,085 ft over 85 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 33.0 mi · 39%
  • Downhill 38.5 mi · 45%
  • Flat 13.4 mi · 16%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How much elevation gain is on the Massanutten Trail?

The Massanutten Trail climbs roughly 15,476 ft total — about 182 ft per mile, topping out near 2,795 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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