Tuscarora Trail
~18 days · 239.3 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Tuscarora Trail is known for
The Tuscarora Trail is a roughly 250-mile western bypass of the Appalachian Trail, leaving the AT in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia and swinging through West Virginia and Maryland to rejoin the AT ridge country of central Pennsylvania. Rocky ridge walking with long dry stretches; a thru-hike typically takes 2-3 weeks.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,325 ft to 11,175 ft over 239.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 74.9 mi · 31%
- Downhill 90.0 mi · 38%
- Flat 74.4 mi · 31%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Tuscarora Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Tuscarora Trail scores 77/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 many days does the Tuscarora Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Tuscarora Trail in about 18 days (17 nights out) over its 239.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Tuscarora Trail?
The Tuscarora Trail climbs roughly 34,167 ft total — about 143 ft per mile, topping out near 3,406 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.