Washington, DC: Three Top Mountain Loop
In just a weekend, you can travel from wooded ridges to gentle peaks to quiet hollows on this 16.5-mile lasso in George Washington National Forest.
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Mapped by Jeff Chow
Trail Facts
- Distance: 20.9
Waypoints
Fins of Rock
Location: 38.9217910766602, -78.3880157470703
©Jeff Chow
Among the pines
Location: 38.9426918029785, -78.3625946044922
©Jeff Chow
Mountain View
Location: 38.9513969421387, -78.3320465087891
©Jeff Chow
Conifer Corridor
Location: 38.9521636962891, -78.3226623535156
©Jeff Chow
MAT002
Location: 38.947021484375, -78.3165969848633
Buzzard Rock Overlook (1,740 ft.); views stretch to Front Royal
MAT003
Location: 38.9518890380859, -78.3224334716797
Established campsite on R
MAT004
Location: 38.9519081115723, -78.3298034667969
Turn L for .4-mi. excursion to Meneka Peak; spur trail NE meets back up with Signal Knob Trail
MAT005
Location: 38.9494094848633, -78.3348617553711
Meneka Peak (2,220 ft.); E views between trees extend to Matthews Arm of Shenandoah National Park
MAT006
Location: 38.9604110717773, -78.3310165405274
Pass Signal Knob Tower (2,100 ft.) to rocky overlook of the N. Fork Shenandoah River; begin 600-ft. descent into Little Fort Valley on Little Passage Trail
MAT007
Location: 38.9579200744629, -78.3368988037109
Top off bottles or bladder @ natural spring
MAT008
Location: 38.9504890441894, -78.3483810424805
R onto blue-blazed Tuscarora Trail for rocky ridgeline hike on Three Top Mtn.; continuous valley views
MAT009
Location: 38.9196586608887, -78.3905563354492
Watch for L turn to stay on Tuscarora Trail. Then, in 700 ft., turn L to steep downhill back onto orange-blazed Massanutten Trail
MAT010
Location: 38.9178504943848, -78.3859481811524
L onto road, following orange blazes
MAT011
Location: 38.9209518432617, -78.3804168701172
Straight past Mudhole Gap Trail; begin looking for a campsite among clearings beside Little Passage Creek
MAT012
Location: 38.9419212341309, -78.3578872680664
Veer L off fire road, still linking orange blazes past Strasburg Reservoir; head .9 mi. to close loop @ WPT 8 and return to trailhead
