Sherman Gap Trail

Sherman Gap Trail is a hiking route in George Washington National Forest near Front Royal and Strasburg, Virginia, with an out-and-back option commonly described around 4.7 miles and a more extended alternative that can exceed 8 miles when looped/connected. It’s generally considered a challenging climb with steady uphill progress toward the ridgeline.

Expect roughly 1,453–1,813 feet of elevation gain depending on how you hike it, with typical completion times cited around 2.5–3.5 hours. On the ground, the trail is heavily rocky and gets steeper as you work upward.

Most trips start on an old forest road or the white-blazed Botts Trail, then transition onto the pink-blazed Sherman Gap Trail. From there, the route keeps winding upward until it reaches the ridge line.

Around 2.35 miles in, you reach a major intersection with the blue-blazed Tuscarora/Massanutten Trail. Turning left (south) onto the ridgeline route leads to rocky outcrops and scenic overlooks. The junction is also a commonly used spot for backcountry camping.

The trailhead/parking pattern is usually set up for the northern start at Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area; the southern end is off Panhandle Road (SR 613) with no parking there in some trip plans. If you’re planning a one-way/connector variation, confirm which end has parking for your itinerary.

Surface and tread can be rough: multiple trip descriptions call it a rocky trail that only becomes rockier and steeper near the Massanutten Trail. Some route notes also flag poison ivy along stretches, so plan for close-to-the-ground brush contact.

More information: Sherman Gap Trail Out and Back | Warren County | Virginia, High Peak Hike - Strasburg, Virginia - MyHikes