Start at Elizabeth Furnace on VA 678. This 12.4-mile loop uses the Botts Trail and Sherman Gap Trail, with a return along Massanutten East Trail. Elizabeth Furnace, an antebellum iron ore blast furnace, is the start and end point, with camping facilities available. (540) 984-4101, www.fs.usda.gov/gwj. GPS: N38 55.461' / W78 19.898'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 74, A2.
From Strasburg, drive east on VA 55 and then south on VA 678 to the Signal Knob Trail parking area on the right. This 17-mile hike climbs Signal Knob, then swings south down the western ridge of Massanutten and provides great views overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Hike it as an out-and-back, or a point-to-point with a shuttle on VA 653 east of the village of Toms Brook. (540) 984-4101, www.fs.usda.gov/gwj. GPS: N38 56.119' / 78 19.197'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 74, A2.
Begin at Camp Roosevelt on VA 675. (See “Finding the trailhead” for Hike 23: Stephens Trail.) Duncan Hollow is a lesser-used portion of the Massanutten East Trail with great loop options using Peach Orchard Gap and Scothorn Gap. (540) 984-4101, www.fs.usda.gov/gwj. GPS: N38 43.819' / W78 31.073'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 73, C7.
This 25.4-mile loop trail begins near the North River Gorge area north of Churchville, off FR 95, 1 mile north of Stokesville. There are views off Little Bald Knob and difficult terrain past Todd Lake Recreation Area, a full-service national forest recreation area with a lake, campsite, and picnic area. The Wild Oak Loop intersects with trails leading into Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness. (540) 432-0187. GPS: N38 20.361' / W79 12.446'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 66, B2.
A 22-mile point-to-point hike that begins at the Confederate breastworks on VA 250, 17 miles west of Churchville. The southern end is on VA 627 (Scotchtown Draft Road), off VA 629. This difficult, high-ridge hike along the spine of Shenandoah Mountain is best done as a 2-day trip. (540) 885-8028. GPS: N38 18.675' / W79 23.053'. DeLorme: Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 65, B7.