Massanutten Trail
5 days · 85 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
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.
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.
How hard is the Massanutten Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Massanutten Trail scores 36/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
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 from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.