It's 68 miles of what's considered by many to be the most challenging ride in the East - relentlessly rocky, raw, and endlessly challenging ridgeline riding - and equally rewarding.
Manahoac and Massawomeck lands
ELEVATION GAIN
riding season
days out
PHYSICAL challenge (1-10*)
women's FKT -
britt mason (supported)
miles
TECHNICAL challenge (1-10*)
men's FKT -
Abe Kaufman (cached water) / Sam Skidmore (unsupported)
Stewarded by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club and the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition
Managed by the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
* Following the bikepacking Roots rating scale
The Massanutten Ring is considered the most challenging ride in the East – relentlessly rocky, raw, and endlessly challenging . . . and rewarding. The Ring traverses the ridges of the eastern and western Massanutten Mountains around the historic Fort Valley, Virginia while overlooking the Shenandoah and Front Royal River Valleys. For the lover of challenging singletrack, it doesn’t get much better than this. Expect hike-a-bike, both up and down. Expect the miles to tick by very slowly. And expect to find some of the most incredible and tough backcountry riding on the East Coast.
A detailed route description can be found on Mountain Project, and an even more detailed section-by-section description of the trail with photos can be found on Barry Cocker’s website (Barry is the champion of mountain bike FKT efforts on the trail and has more known completions than any other rider).
The route can be ridden any time from spring to fall, but the trail is typically the least overgrown in April and May.
Photos by Barry Croker
Disclaimer: This route and associated information is just a starting point for your preparation, and your safety is your own responsibility. Although this route, its GPS track and waypoints, route data, and the route guide were prepared after extensive research, their accuracy and reliability are not guaranteed. Check for current conditions, route updates, detours, use common sense, obey local laws and regulations, and travel with alternative means of navigation. The Backcountry Bike Challenge and its creators and contributors will in no way be responsible for personal injury or damage to personal property arising in conjunction with following this route or utilizing any of the route resources provided on this website or via RWGPS.
Extensive trailwork on the Massanutten Ring has been done over the past couple decades by volunteers with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. And the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club spends countless hours each year brushing the trail to keep it from getting too overgrown. Donations to either of these organizations will help support the future of adventures on the Massanutten Ring.