Massanutten Trail

Massanutten Trail
View of Massanutten Mountain, which the Massanutten Trail traverses
Length	71 mi (114 km)
Location	George Washington National Forest, Virginia, United States
Use	Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Strenuous
Sights	Appalachian Mountains

The Massanutten Trail is a 71-mile (114 km) National Recreation Trail located in George Washington National Forest in Central Virginia. Much of the path is steep and rugged terrain, and presents many mountain vistas. The trail traverses the Massanutten Range around its inner valley. Shenandoah National Park is to the east, and Great North Mountain is west.

The trail has its origins in the American Revolutionary War. Originally known as Morgan's Road, a portion of the trail at Veach Gap was built as a potential avenue for retreat in case the Continental Army had been defeated at the battle of Yorktown.George Washington had Daniel Morgan construct the road over the eastern ridge into the valley.

In the 19th century, the area was used for mining and the production of charcoal. Elizabeth Furnace was a blast furnace utilized to create pig iron. Signal Knob, a peak on the northern end of the trail, was used by the Signal Corps of both armies in the Civil War.

In 1933, Camp Roosevelt, located on the eastern part of the trail, was established as the first Civilian Conservation Camp. In the latter half of the 20th century, there were many trails established in the Massanutten area. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club had envisioned a long distance trail there since the 1960s, and in 2002 the Circuit Trail was completed.