Massanutten Ring

Massanutten Ring ("The Ring") is an orange-blazed loop hike in the George Washington National Forest that encircles Fort Valley, using ridge-line hiking around the eastern and western ridges of Massanutten Mountain.

The full loop length is mapped at about 106.7 km (about 68 miles) with a curated reference distance of 113.25 km; hiking reports commonly cite a ~68–71 mile loop depending on the exact start/finish alignment.

Route character is defined by long stretches of hard, rocky, technical tread and frequent steep climbs and descents; expect very slow progress and significant time on rough footing, with hike-a-bike/technical-passage equivalents for runners being common on the linked trail network.

Classic access points people use to tackle sections or the full loop include the area near Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area (often used as a northern start), with other commonly targeted waypoints on the loop including Signal Knob (northern end) and Camp Roosevelt on the southern end.

A key planning constraint is self-sufficiency: the ridge nature of the route means limited bail-out options and no roadside services along the loop, so food, water, and navigation planning are part of the core challenge rather than an afterthought.

Maintenance is community-driven: volunteers and partner trail groups have done regular trailwork to keep the Massanutten Ring passable over time, and seasonality/vegetation can matter on some infrequently traveled sections.

Elevation gain is substantial (commonly reported around 12,500 ft for the ~68–71 mile loop); for experienced hikers this is a full-day, multi-day technical ridge challenge where pacing, hydration, and injury prevention drive outcomes as much as endurance.

More information: Wikipedia, The Ring - Salsa Cycles, “The Ring” FKT : JeremiahBishop.com