Top Trails: Shenandoah National Park. Johnny Molloy

the fall.

       Ridgeline

      Curve uphill away from the roadbed to cross a second roadbed near a national park survey marker. The AT is just uphill, at 3.5 miles. Turn right onto the AT, making northbound tracks through open woodland where large widespread oaks grow over grass. 7 Younger trees vie for sunlight. Undulate over a rocky hill to reach Skyline Drive at 3.7 miles. 8 Rattlesnake Point Overlook is just up the road on your right. Keep northbound, crossing Skyline Drive, and ascend the south side of Hogback Mountain.

       Great Views

      A side trail at mile 4.0 leads left to an outcrop with views. 9 The ridgeline that is Massanutten Mountain forms a backdrop to South Fork Shenandoah River Valley. Range upon range of Shenandoah’s mountains roll south. Dip into a pretty, grassy gap, then resume climbing to reach the Tuscarora–Overall Run Trail at mile 4.5. 10 Pass a limited vista point on trail right before drifting into the parking area at mile 4.7, completing your loop. 11

       MILESTONES