Hiking: Region is a haven for hikers
Hikers with any level of experience can enjoy the sport on any of the three major trails that span the area.
The Appalachian Trail runs through the area on its way from Maine to Georgia. The trail is identified by white swatches on trees, signs and other permanent structures. The trail can be accessed at several spots: on Freezeland Road near Linden; just off John Marshall Highway in Fauquier County; on Fort Valley Road on the Warren/Shenandoah county line; and at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, 600 4-H Center Road in Front Royal. 304-535-6331 www.appalachiantrail.org
The Tuscarora Trail, a branch of the Appalachian Trail, is identified by blue swatches. It begins in Shenandoah National Park in Warren County, crosses Massanutten Mountain, runs along the valley floor to the Virginia and West Virginia state line and into Maryland, where it ends at the Appalachian Trail north of Carlisle, Pa.
In Shenandoah County, the Tuscarora is best accessed at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area on Fort Valley Road in Fort Valley and Shenandoah County Park on U.S. 11 in Maurertown.
Near Frederick County, the trail can be accessed at the following points: near Star Tannery, where the trail crosses Va. 55; at Gore's Grocery parking lot in Gore; and at LeHew Road in West Virginia. 703-242-0965 or 703-242-0693 www.potomacappalachian.org
The Massanutten National Recreation Trail is a 71-mile circuit that can be accessed at several spots but the most common access point is at the Signal Knob parking area on Fort Valley Road. 703-242-0965 www.patc.net
Backpacking enthusiasts have one of the best locations right in their backyard in the Shenandoah National Park. The park has more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. A free permit is required for back-country camping and can be obtained at the ranger station. Failure to obtain the permit will result in a fine. Backpackers can stay overnight in the park. Through-hikers who are on the trail for more than two nights can use one of seven trail-side huts available through the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. 999-3500 www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
Sky Meadow State Park, at 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, offers 13 miles of hiking trails 592-3556 www.virginiastateparks.gov
Trails in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests range in length from less than a quarter mile to more than 70 miles. More than 400 miles of trails are available to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. 265-5100 www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/index.shtml
Interpretive trails also can educate hikers along the way by telling stories of the area during the course of the trail. The Lee Ranger District of the George Washington National Forest is home to several of these interpretive trails. www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/recreation/hiking/index.shtml
The Discovery Way Interpretive Trail, in the forest, is paved and runs .2 miles. It details the geology and plant life along the trail.
The Lion's Tail National Recreational Trail, in the forest, was built in cooperation with the Lion's Club and is designed for the visually impaired. Hikers can learn about forest ecology on this .5 mile loop trail.
The Massanutten Storybook Trail, in the forest, explains the building of the Massanutten Mountain Range along the .25 mile paved trail.
The Pig Iron Trail, in the forest, is a .25 mile, self-guided interpretive loop trail that describes the pig iron industry of the 19th century. It winds past the remains of Elizabeth Furnace and tells the story of the furnace community.
The Charcoal Interpretive Trail, in the forest, is a .5 mile self-guided interpretive trail, that tells about charcoaling, a companion to the pig iron industry, by describing the lives of the workers and the impact of the industry on the forest.
The Fishers Hill Battlefield, south of Strasburg, is also home to an interpretive trail. The Strasburg Guard, Sons of Confederate Veterans, developed an interpretive trail at the 195-acre site of the 1864 battle. 540-740-4545
